In January 2012, for the first time ever, RAD graded examinations were accredited by the SQA...

At the RAD Scotland AGM in November 2011, Andrew McBirnie, Director of the RAD Examinations Board announced that it's application to SQA Accreditation for approval as an Awarding Body and for accreditation of its examinations in Scotland had been successful.

Scottish qualifications have different titles, different levels, and different external properties, characteristics and uses than the English system. The next step for the RAD Examinations Board is to progress very quickly to operate on the SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) and also to work with UCAS to ensure that they recognise the ‘Scottish versions’ of RAD exams. 

Benefits

Having RAD exams accredited by the SQA is a long awaited step forward for Scottish dance schools. The accreditation adds greater value to these demanding exams for both students, their parents and local mainstream schools. It also recognises the importance of dance as part of children's education by supporting the Scottish government's initiative to encourage more people to dance.

Full story on the RAD website.

*UPDATE FEBRUARY 2012: Andrew McBirnie released this statement from the RAD, "Following the announcement in November 2011 that RAD examinations in Scotland have been accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and following the first awarding of these new qualifications in January 2012, the RAD is pleased to announce that the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) have confirmed that these new qualifications will be subsumed within the UCAS points tariff on the same basis as their QCF counterparts. UCAS have indicated that their website will be updated to reflect this within a few weeks."

Pictured above: Mia highlights the SQA accreditation logo on her examination certificate