Summary
The purpose of the Higher is to provide certification for a broad general education. The Higher is the 'gold standard' of Scottish education, and the main route to higher education since 1888. Prospective university candidates would be expected to take between three and five Highers in their fifth year of secondary schooling (S5). This would provide these candidates with entry to Scottish university courses, which take three years for an ordinary degree, and four years for an honours degree. The current Higher and Advanced Higher courses were introduced in 1999 as part of the Higher Still reforms, replacing the Higher Grade and Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (CSYS). The Higher Still reforms provided a unified system of national qualifications (including units, courses and Group awards) embracing general and vocational subjects. If a student achieves an Advanced Higher, Tariff points from Highers in that subject are not counted. Higher scores only count when a student does not complete an Advanced Higher in that subject.
Tariff entry
The qualifications were first allocated UCAS Tariff points in 2001. UCAS Tariff points were reviewed in April 2008 with revised points coming into effect for entry to higher education from 2010 onwards. A further review is planned for 2010/11.
| UCAS Tariff points (to 2010) | |
|---|---|
| A | 72 |
| B | 60 |
| C | 48 |
| D | 42 |
| UCAS Tariff points (from 2010) | |
|---|---|
| A | 80 |
| B | 65 |
| C | 50 |
| D | 36 |
Learning hours
240
24 Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
Awarding organisation