AN investigation has been launched after a entire class failed a Higher Media course run by a Scottish college.

Twenty students signed up for the course at Inverness College - with most of the participants 17 and 18-year-olds hoping to use their mark to go to university.

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However, when the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) sent out exam certificates last week it emerged that none of the candidates had passed.

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Inverness College said correct quality assurance processes had been in place, but said they had asked the SQA to investigate what had happened.

Diane Rawlinson, the college principal, said: "We take exam results and student success very seriously. This is evidenced by the excellent inspection report we received earlier this year as well as the year-on-year improvements to attainment levels we have achieved in both further and higher education courses.

"As we do every year, we are undertaking a review of all published results, comparing them against those projected for each student.

"In the case of this particular course, the usual quality assurance processes were in place and the awarding body verifier recently reported significant strengths in the delivery and management of this award. SQA are currently investigating this matter at our request."

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A spokesman for the SQA said: "We are happy that the 2016 Higher Media assessment performed as intended and it provided candidates with the opportunity to show their understanding of the subject.

"Many candidates performed strongly and we saw a slight increase in the A-C attainment rate compared to the same qualification last year. It was designed in line with past and exemplar papers and according to our course and assessment specifications."