Advanced Higher

The Advanced Higher (Scottish Gaelic: Sàr Àrd Ìre) is an optional qualification in Scotland that replaced the Certificate of Sixth Year Studies. It was first offered in 2001 and is usually taken by students around 16–18 years old after they finish their Highers, which are the main qualifications for entering university in Scotland.

An Advanced Higher is the highest certificate given by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and is part of the Scottish Credit and the Qualifications Framework. This qualification acts like the first year of university in a specific subject, which is why it can help students start university in their second year.

Traditionally, Universities in Scotland accepted students with NQ Higher or A-level qualifications. However, many universities now also accept students with qualifications from elsewhere in the UK or other countries. For example, the University of Glasgow accepts qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate, High School Diploma combined with SAT/ACT scores, or Advanced Placement exams. The Advanced Higher is Level 7 on the Scottish Credit and the Qualifications Framework.

History

Advanced Highers were made to replace the Sixth Year Studies Certificate, also called CSYS or SYS. The last CSYS exams were taken by students who finished their studies in the Sixth Form.

UCAS tariff

The UCAS system helps decide if students are ready for university. Now, Advanced Highers get higher scores than before. Students with Advanced Highers at grades A, B, and C can get more UCAS points than students with the same grades in A-Levels.

Some universities in England, like Oxford University and Cambridge University, have special rules for students from Scotland who take Advanced Highers. For example, at Cambridge, students might need grades like A1, A2, A2 in Advanced Highers for some courses. At Oxford, students could need grades like AAB if they take three Advanced Highers, or AA in two Advanced Highers plus an extra Higher course.

Subjects

Here are the subjects you can study at Advanced Higher:

• Accounting
• Art and Design (Design)
• Art and Design (Expressive)
• Biology
• Business Management
• Cantonese
• Chemistry
• Classical Studies
• Computing Science
• Cruinn-eòlas
• Design and Manufacture
• Drama
• Eachdraidh
• Economics
• Engineering Science
• English
• French
• Gaelic (Learners)
• Gàidhlig
• Geography
• German
• Graphic Communication
• Health and Food Technology
• History
• Italian
• Latin
• Mandarin (Simplified)
• Mandarin (Traditional)
• Matamataig
• Mathematics
• Mathematics of Mechanics
• Modern Studies
• Music
• Music Technology
• Music: Portfolio
• Nuadh-eòlas
• Physical Education
• Physics
• Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
• Spanish
• Statistics

Not all schools offer every subject. Some, like Advanced Higher Drama, are not available in most schools and only a few choose to offer them.