The National 4 course is run in S4. It allows pupils to progress from the Broad General Education received through CfE in S1-S3 and work towards attaining a recognised English award. Pupils can progress from National 4 in S4, to attempt National 5 in S5.

The National 4 course covers two units:

• Analysis and Evaluation – A unit which looks at the skills of and Reading and Listening and develops pupils’ abilities to analyse specific literary techniques.
• Creation and Production– A unit which looks at the skills of Writing and Talking and assesses pupils’ abilities to produce texts (written and spoken) in a variety of genres.

The units are assessed in class by the teacher and verified externally by the SQA.

In addition to the two units above, students will also complete a Literacy Unit. This is a mandatory unit in the course and will record pupils’ ability in basic literacy skills.

At National 4 level there is no final exam. This has been replaced by an internally assessed Added Value Unit, which involves students researching a chosen topic independently and completing a written (or oral) presentation of their work.