Did you know that upon graduating from our 30-week furniture making course, you leave not only with exceptional hands-on skills in furniture making and design, but with a recognised SCQF qualification?
At the Chippendale International School of Furniture, we teach you how to design and make furniture from the ground up. You’ll learn in a real workshop environment, working with wood every day while building the skills needed for a future career in furniture making.
In this blog, we explain what an SCQF Level 8 qualification is and the doors it can open.
What is a SCQF Level 8 Qualification?
If you aren’t familiar with the Scottish qualification system, the SCQF or Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework, is the national system used in Scotland to compare qualifications from schools, colleges, universities and workplaces. This 12-level framework ranges from basic introductory skills (Level 1) to doctoral degrees (Level 12), spanning a diverse range of skills and disciplines.
Our 30-week furniture making course sits at Level 8 on the Scottish scale, equating to the Higher National Diploma (HND) in England and Wales. Across the pond in the US, this is the equivalent of an Associate Degree, while our Australian friends might recognise it as a Level 5 Diploma.
SCQF qualifications are highly respected in Scotland and beyond as they are quality-assured and measured against clear academic and professional standards.
Why does a SCQF Level 8 Qualification matter?
A Level 8 qualification shows employers and professional bodies that you have reached a strong, recognised standard in woodworking and furniture making. It confirms that your skills and knowledge have been properly assessed.
Whether you’re applying for roles in established workshops, pursuing further study or setting up independently, an accredited qualification adds credibility to your experience and helps open doors for a bright future in the craft.
One of our standout graduates, Ellen Baines, is a great example. Before joining Chippendale, Ellen trained as a theatrical carpenter at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and went on to build a successful freelance career creating sets and props for television and theatre. As her career developed, she recognised the need for a stronger foundation in fine furniture making, something that would allow her to create more permanent, heirloom-quality pieces. That decision led her to Chippendale. After graduating from our 30-week furniture making course, her SCQF in tow, she secured a position at the highly respected Barnsley Workshop.
Is Chippendale’s 30-week course accredited?
It certainly is. Our 30-week furniture making course is fully accredited at SCQF Level 8 and follows an intensive and immersive programme. Over nine months, students complete up to 1,400 hours of practical bench time, supported by expert demonstrations, technical instruction and guided project work.
The course teaches the full range of furniture making skills, from identifying different types of timber to mastering the fundamentals of joinery.
Chippendale graduates not only leave with a renewed confidence in their craft, but with a formally recognised qualification. And if that’s not reason enough to convince you of the course’s value, read on…
Graduate Exhibition 2025
Why study furniture making at Chippendale?
We pride ourselves on being a specialist institution with an international reputation built over decades. With students travelling from across the UK and around the world to study here, the reasons to study furniture making at Chippendale speak for themselves. At Chippendale, we don’t just teach the practical furniture making skills. We also place real emphasis on design, creativity and professional development.
The course places equal importance on both the creative and practical sides of furniture making.
Students develop:
- Design thinking and development – learning how to take an idea from concept to its final form.
- Technical workshop skills – mastering hand tools, machinery and joinery through practice.
- Project-based learning – gaining experience by crafting real pieces of furniture, as well as studying the theory behind it.
- Professional practice – understanding pricing, presentation, marketing and how to establish your business.
Another defining feature of the 30-week course is the small class size. This allows for a more personalised, hands-on teaching approach, with expert tutors offering close guidance at every stage. You’re not lost in a lecture hall, afraid to raise your hand in a sea of learners – you’re working at the bench alongside passionate peers and refining your skills day by day.
What can you do with a SCQF Level 8 qualification?
An SCQF Level 8 qualification can lead to a wide range of professional and educational pathways.
If you’re looking to take your learning further, the Level 8 Qualification can be used as a stepping stone into advanced qualifications or degree-level programmes in areas including:
- Furniture Design
- Product Design
- Interior Design
- Architectural Woodworking
Or, if you’re itching to gain industry experience, you could explore the furniture, design or making trades. This could be through:
- Securing a role within an established workshop
- Joining a specialist restoration studio
- Working in bespoke cabinetry
- Setting up your own business
Take Dominic Grasso, for example. After graduating from the 30-week furniture-making course in 2025, Dominic established his own furniture business in Scotland, Dom Grasso Furniture + Design. Taking on custom commissions, Dominic has used his skills and deep appreciation of the craft to turn what was once a hobby into a viable income.
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Looking to gain a recognised SCQF qualification? Learn more about our accredited furniture making course and discover a promising career in furniture design and making.