Benchmarking the SQA Advanced Certificate and Advanced Diploma in the Indian Education System
Drawing on decades of experience in qualification and skills analysis, Ecctis provides expert benchmarking services that help organisations understand how their qualifications compare across global education systems. Known for its rigorous methodology, impartial analysis, and collaborative approach, Ecctis supports partners in building international credibility and expanding global reach. In this case study, we explore how Ecctis partnered with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to deliver an independent benchmarking of its Advanced Certificates and Advanced Diplomas, helping to strengthen SQA’s international recognition and articulation pathways.
Client: Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
Country: UK, India
Timescale: 2025
We’re grateful for the continued collaboration with Ecctis in benchmarking our Higher Education SQA Advanced Certificates and Diplomas, most recently in relation to the Indian education system. This latest study builds on earlier work carried out across key regions including the UK, US, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, China, Canada, and Australia.
These independent evaluations play a vital role in supporting our international growth, offering clear and credible insights that help universities and higher education institutions understand the value of SQA Advanced Qualifications in their local context.
We truly appreciate Ecctis’ expertise as global education specialists. Every interaction with their team is thoughtful, professional, and consistently positive
About SQA
SQA is Scotland’s national accreditation and awarding body dedicated to helping individuals realise their potential through high-quality education and training. Collaborating with learners, educational institutions and industry partners throughout Scotland, the UK, and globally, SQA develops and enhances a robust framework of qualifications that open doors to learning and career opportunities. With a strong focus on maintaining rigorous standards, SQA not only upholds the integrity of its own awards but also ensures excellence across qualifications delivered by other awarding organisations.
Project context and scope
The SQA Advanced Certificate and Advanced Diploma are well-designed and internationally relevant higher education qualifications with established progression routes in key destination countries, enabling students to top-up, with further study, to a Bachelor degree in a number of universities across the world.
In 2019, SQA commissioned Ecctis to complete a benchmarking exercise of the SQA Advanced Certificate and Advanced Diploma in the context of eight international education systems: Australia, Canada, China, Myanmar, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, the UK and the USA. As five years have passed since the previous evaluation and the Advanced qualifications are now offered in India, SQA requested a follow-up study in 2025 to benchmark the Advanced Certificate and Advanced Diploma in relation to the Indian education system. Further information on SQA Advanced qualifications and Ecctis benchmarking reports is available on the following page: About SQA Advanced qualifications – SQA
Methodology
Based on Ecctis’ well-established benchmarking methodology, the SQA Advanced Certificate and Advanced Diploma have been considered in relation to India’s National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), particularly entry, learning outcome, and progression indicators, with further analysis of qualification design components (duration, structure, content, delivery, learning and assessment methods) in relation to Indian qualifications aligned to the NSQF.
This research involved bespoke additions and modifications to the methodology, but the general approach is outlined in the figure below:
Project outcomes
Ecctis’ analysis found the SQA Advanced Certificate overall comparable to NSQF Level 4.5, UG Certificate / National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) Diploma standard, and the SQA Advanced Diploma overall comparable to NSQF Level 5.0, UG Diploma / NCVET Diploma (Advanced) standard.
These evaluations play a key role in facilitating international recognition of SQA Advanced Qualifications, supporting universities and higher education institutions worldwide to better understand these awards within the context of their local education systems.