How the qualification works
Creative Thinking · Level 5 · mrkellydt.co.uk
What you're learning in this topic
Learning intention WALT
We are learning about how the qualification works, specifically to:
know
- the five elements and what each shows
understand
- how the qualification is assessed
Success criteria WILF
- I can explain how the qualification is assessed
- I can name the five elements and what each shows
What it is
The Creative Thinking Qualification was developed by Daydream Believers, a group of employers, creative agencies, teachers, lecturers and students. It was written with Edinburgh College and credit-rated by Edinburgh Napier University.
- Level 5 and Level 6 awards on the SCQF, each worth 24 credit points: the same size as a National 5 or Higher.
- No exam: you build a portfolio (usually a sketchbook plus digital work) from projects set by real companies.
- It's about the process, not the product. A brilliant final idea scores little if the thinking behind it isn't shown.
The five elements
Everything you do fits into five elements, and each one is assessed:
| Element | What you show |
|---|---|
| Research | You explore the problem before jumping to ideas |
| Concepts | You propose creative ideas that grow out of your research |
| Fail & Fix | You test ideas, learn from what goes wrong, and improve them |
| Communicate | You present your ideas clearly and creatively |
| Evaluation | You judge your own work honestly, with "creative bravery" |
Level 5 and Level 6
| Level 5 | Level 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Research | Secondary research to explore a problem | Primary and secondary research |
| Communicate | Communicate ideas and expected outcomes | Communicate and evaluate ideas |
| Supporting subject | Usually taken alongside N5 English | Usually taken alongside Higher English |
At Level 6 you're expected to go deeper: more independent research, more alternatives, sharper critical thinking.
How you are graded
Each element gets a score, and your grade (A–D) comes from all five together. Teachers often use a STAMP in your sketchbook to show where you are on each element as you go, so you can see what to improve.
Your work is assessed by your teacher and checked (verified) by the Daydream Believers team.
Projects (briefs)
You complete between one and four projects, from briefs written by industry partners. Past briefs have included designing a space like a hospital or music venue, a kindness advertising campaign, deciding how a community should use a donated campervan, and building a fashion brand for the circular economy.
Themes range across fashion, architecture, product design, engineering, photography and film, game design and advertising, so you can follow your own interests.
Key terms
| Who developed the qualification? | Daydream Believers: employers, agencies, teachers, lecturers and students |
|---|---|
| The five elements | Research, Concepts, Fail & Fix, Communicate, Evaluation |
| Credit points | 24 at either level: the same size as an N5 or Higher |
| Is there an exam? | No: you are assessed on your portfolio |
| Process or product? | Process: the thinking must be visible |
| Level 5 research | Secondary research |
| STAMP | A sketchbook stamp showing your progress on each of the five elements |
Quick check
1. Which is NOT one of the five elements?
- Research
- Manufacture
- Fail & Fix
- Evaluation
Show answer
2. How is the qualification assessed?
- A two-hour exam
- A multiple-choice test
- A portfolio of project work
- An interview only
Show answer
3. What matters most in the portfolio?
- A perfect, polished final product
- The total number of pages included
- Using expensive materials throughout
- The thinking process shown throughout
Show answer
4. How many SCQF credit points is each award worth?
- 6
- 24
- 12
- 48
Show answer
Printable worksheet
An I do, we do, you do worksheet for this topic, with a separate answer sheet.