Selecting Scottish Highers and Superior Highers

We present you the right way to method and select your Scottish Highers, Baccalaureate or Superior Highers, and what to think about for college.

What are Scottish Highers?

Scottish college students usually examine in direction of 4 or 5 Highers within the fifth yr of secondary faculty (S5), though they might additionally take Highers in any yr of the Senior Part (S4–S6).

The {qualifications} encompass a mixture of work set and marked by academics in addition to an exterior examination. Highers are aimed toward pupils who’ve achieved passes within the Nationwide 5 {qualifications} and are usually wanted for entry into college.

Relying on the outcomes on the finish of S5, you may take additional Highers or Superior Highers within the sixth yr (S6).

Scottish Highers wanted to get into college

There’s some selection between programmes however it’s doubtless you will want a minimal of 4 Highers, ideally taken in a single set of exams. In case you take Highers in multiple yr, some universities will ask you to have taken a minimum of three Highers in a single yr of the Senior Part (S4–S6)

In case you haven’t met the entry necessities by the tip of S5, what you soak up S6 can typically be considered. Nevertheless, the general necessities are more likely to enhance. For extra aggressive programmes, you’re more likely to want to realize 5 Highers from S5 and extra {qualifications} from S6.

Attaining all of the required Highers and grades by the tip of S5 could end in an unconditional supply whenever you apply. S6 can then be used to take advisable or most popular topics to Superior Increased, or to choose up different topics so as to add to what it’s important to supply. It is also an opportunity to develop and acquire related abilities and expertise by work expertise and volunteering.

What are Superior Highers?

In case you keep at school for a sixth yr, you could possibly take the Superior Increased {qualifications}. These are aimed toward those that’ve handed Highers and need to lengthen their abilities and information.

How universities see Superior Highers

In Scottish universities Superior Highers aren’t often wanted for entry, and usually it is extra necessary to realize the Highers required for entry stage first earlier than contemplating Superior Highers.

For extra aggressive programmes (Medication, Dentistry or Veterinary Medication), you are more likely to want 5 Highers achieved within the fifth yr and two Superior Highers and an extra Increased within the sixth yr. In sure circumstances (particularly with science programmes), Superior Highers could offer you direct entry to a second yr of a college programme.

In case you don’t get the set of Highers you need within the fifth yr, Superior Highers (or a mix of Highers and Superior Highers) could make it extra doubtless for a conditional supply to be made. For instance, in the event you’re eager to compensate for a low Increased grade, a college could regard a C grade Superior Increased as equal to a B grade Increased, and a B grade Superior Increased as equal to an A grade Increased.

It’s necessary to all the time examine particular entry necessities and discuss on to the schools you probably have any doubts or questions on Superior Highers or the mixture of Highers and Superior Highers you are contemplating in your sixth yr. Do not hesitate to contact college admissions or faculty liaison groups and ask.

Some universities in England, Wales and Northern Eire settle for Highers for entry to their diploma programmes however many different establishments will ask for as much as three Superior Highers as well as. It is essential to examine entry necessities as early as attainable with every college you are contemplating.

Selecting Highers

The way you method your selection of Highers and/or Superior Highers will typically rely on which diploma programme you are interested by making use of for. Sure diploma programmes will want you to have particular topics to be accepted into the programme. That is to ensure you have the background information wanted to review the actual diploma.

It is necessary to point out a variety of examine as Scottish establishments historically contemplate this good preparation for the primary yr of college due to their broad construction.

In case you don’t know what you need to examine

• Get assist and recommendation from academics and careers advisers to consider the place your strengths, talents and preferences lie
• Take time to analysis potential profession choices and college programmes to develop a clearer understanding of what the very best topics are for you – if you realize, take into consideration the profession or broad sectors you’d wish to work in
• Attend increased training conventions, college open days and occasions at college to get as a lot info as you may
• Select topics you take pleasure in and are assured you will get the required grades for
• Universities in Scotland publish ‘minimal’ entry necessities for widening entry college students, and ‘normal’ entry necessities for all different college students – you may examine with the college to search out out in the event you’d be thought of a widening entry scholar
• In case you resolve to not examine a topic at Increased ensure you contemplate the implications – what doorways, if any, you are closing by not having a better qualification in that topic
• Watch out taking over too many new topics and take time to get accustomed to course content material earlier than making any ultimate selections
• Some Scottish universities have an inventory of authorised Highers obtainable on their web sites, so in the event you’re not sure a couple of sure Increased selection you would possibly discover it helpful to examine for this

If you realize what you need to examine

• You must begin your analysis by taking a look at programs at varied universities – all the time examine and ensure entry necessities earlier than making selections in S5 or S6
• Take a look at diploma content material as even levels with the identical or comparable names can range in content material between universities
• Discover out as a lot as you may about profession selections you are contemplating and the routes into these areas
• Some programs want a sure set of Highers (akin to Engineering or Science levels) whereas others will not have particular topic necessities – contact college recruitment and admission workplaces to get recommendation and any clarification
• English and Maths Highers aren’t routinely wanted for each programme, so if they are not your energy it’s necessary to verify what’s wanted by the programmes you’re contemplating to use for
• In addition to selecting required Highers, contemplate topics that’ll construct related abilities, e.g. essay-based topics for Social Sciences or Enterprise levels
• Some programmes can also embody a requirement for a Nationwide 5, for instance in English, Maths or Science, so ensure you’re conscious of this along with any particular Increased necessities
• Sure programmes (akin to Medication, Veterinary Medication, Artwork and Design, Performing Arts, and Social Work) are more likely to search for proof of your curiosity and/or capacity within the topic – S6 is a crucial yr to construct expertise, portfolios and perception, and to take any alternatives to fulfill particular necessities

Scottish Baccalaureate

In some faculties, S6 college students could have the choice to review for considered one of 4 Scottish Baccalaureates:

• Expressive Arts
• Languages
• Science
• Social Sciences

This consists of a related group of present Increased and Superior Increased {qualifications} together with an Interdisciplinary Challenge.

Universities worth the Scottish Baccalaureate, significantly the place candidates have already met the S5 normal entry necessities. It’s thought of helpful in ensuring probably the most is manufactured from S6. The extent of labor can also assist put together you for a profitable transition to college.