Scottish Ministers have signed off the third commencement order for the Education (Scotland) Act 2025, confirming most remaining provisions will start on Thursday 26 February 2026. Signed by Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth on 12 February and laid before Holyrood today (Monday 16 February), the regulations appoint 26 February for the sections listed in the schedule, with some parts commencing only for specified purposes.

Why it matters on this side of the border is straightforward. The Act replaces the Scottish Qualifications Authority with the new public body, Qualifications Scotland, and re‑establishes an independent inspectorate led by His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland. The reforms received Royal Assent on 6 August 2025, setting up a phased switch during this academic year. (connect.scot)

Earlier commencement regulations began the transition: key governance and advisory provisions were activated between late January and April, with a further date scheduled for August. That pipeline covers the Strategic Advisory Council and the formal establishment steps for Qualifications Scotland and the Inspectorate noted in parliamentary and legal records. (vlex.co.uk)

Qualifications Scotland is now up and running. The organisation began work at the start of this month and has told learners and teachers that 2026 National Qualification exams will run as normal, with no course or assessment changes this year. That continuity matters for admissions officers and employers across the North. (sqa.org.uk)

Cross‑border recognition is also locked in. A UK‑wide Section 104 order made in late 2025 updates legislation so references to the SQA now point to Qualifications Scotland and confirms the new body’s functions can be exercised beyond Scotland-ensuring employers and universities in England can recognise Scottish awards without friction. (gov.wales)

For Northern universities and colleges, the UCAS position is unchanged: providers set their own entry requirements and the tariff remains advisory. In practice, Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers keep their standing in offers; admissions teams should simply update materials to reflect the new awarding body name. (ucas.com)

Employers from Carlisle to Newcastle should do the same housekeeping. Application portals, HR forms and procurement paperwork that still reference ‘SQA’ should now read ‘Qualifications Scotland’. That small change will help candidates avoid avoidable queries during spring recruitment rounds. The UK and Welsh Governments have already signposted these cross‑UK updates. (gov.wales)

Inside the system, Qualifications Scotland has set early priorities-more engagement on plans to reduce reliance on single high‑stakes exams in some subjects and a new School Partnership Team drawing in serving classroom teachers. Those signals are useful for FE leaders and workforce planners watching how assessment may evolve through this decade. (qualifications.gov.scot)

Today’s instrument completes the legal tidying up after Royal Assent: it brings in remaining provisions not already commenced by earlier orders and aligns dates so officials, schools and centres have clarity ahead of the spring term. Expect further operational guidance as additional commencement dates in March, April and August 2026 arrive. (vlex.co.uk)

Bottom line for the North: qualifications taken by Scottish learners will continue to be recognised in the same way, but the logo and legal name behind them have changed. Update your wording now and you’ll save applicants, registrars and hiring managers a lot of back‑and‑forth once results season hits. (sqa.org.uk)