The Advanced Higher is an optional qualification which forms part of the Scottish secondary education system brought in to replace the
Certificate of Sixth Year Studies
In the Scottish secondary education system, the Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (CSYS) was the highest level of qualification available to pupils from 1968 until circa 2000.
Overseen by the Scottish Examination Board (SEB), it was taken by st ...
(CSYS). The first certification of Advanced Higher was in 2001. It is normally taken by students aged around 16–18 years of age after they have completed
Highers
In the Scottish secondary education system, the Higher () is one of the national school-leaving certificate exams and university entrance qualifications of the Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC) offered by the Scottish Qualifications ...
, which are the main university entrance qualification in Scotland.
An Advanced Higher is the highest certificate offered by the
Scottish Qualifications Authority
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA; Gaelic: ''Ùghdarras Theisteanas na h-Alba'') is the executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government responsible for accrediting educational awards. It is partly funded by the Ed ...
as part of the
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) is the national credit transfer system for all levels of qualifications in Scotland. Awards are classified under the framework at ''levels'', and study undertaken at that level is valued ...
. An Advanced Higher qualification is essentially a simulation of the first year of university in that particular subject; this is the reason that Advanced Highers can be used for second-year university entry.
Universities in Scotland
There are fifteen universities in Scotland and three other institutions of higher education that have the authority to award academic degrees.
The first university college in Scotland was founded at St John's College, St Andrews in 1418 by He ...
traditionally tended to take students with only
NQ Higher or
A-level
The A-Level (Advanced Level) is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education, as well as a school leaving qualification offered by the educational bodies in the United Kingdom and the educational aut ...
qualifications, but many have since begun to take students with qualifications gained elsewhere in the UK or, as with the
University of Glasgow
, image = UofG Coat of Arms.png
, image_size = 150px
, caption = Coat of arms
Flag
, latin_name = Universitas Glasguensis
, motto = la, Via, Veritas, Vita
, ...
, for example; an
International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate (IB), formerly known as the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), is a nonprofit foundation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and founded in 1968. It offers four educational programmes: the IB Dip ...
and American qualifications such as a
High School Diploma
A high school diploma or high school degree is a North American academic school leaving qualification awarded upon high school graduation. The high school diploma is typically obtained after a course of study lasting four years, from grade 9 to gra ...
in combination of
SAT
The SAT ( ) is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. Since its debut in 1926, its name and scoring have changed several times; originally called the Scholastic Aptitude Test, it was later called the Schol ...
/
ACT scores and SAT Subject Tests or
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. American colleges and universities may grant placement and course ...
exams.
The Advanced Higher is Level 7 on the
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) is the national credit transfer system for all levels of qualifications in Scotland. Awards are classified under the framework at ''levels'', and study undertaken at that level is valued ...
.
History
Advanced Highers were introduced to replace the Sixth Year Studies Certificate (often abbreviated to ''CSYS'' or just ''SYS''). The final CSYS exams were taken by students at the end of the Sixth Form studies.
UCAS tariff
The
UCAS
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS ) is a UK-based organisation whose main role is to operate the application process for British universities. It operates as an independent charity, funded by fees charged to applicants an ...
tariff of valuing qualifications for university entry has increased its scores for Advanced Highers at A, B and C in comparison to the past. Advanced Highers now attract more
UCAS
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS ) is a UK-based organisation whose main role is to operate the application process for British universities. It operates as an independent charity, funded by fees charged to applicants an ...
tariff points than A-Levels at the same grades.
Also, research studies have revealed a major gap of performance on Advanced Highers examinations between different schools sectors (i.e. private schools' students attaining, on average, higher results than state schools' students).
A-levels and Advanced Highers
Some English Universities, such as
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...
and
Cambridge University
, mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
, established =
, other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
, have begun to take into account the wider syllabus involved in studying Advanced Highers and have been giving slightly lower conditions for entry into their institutions. Oxford University's admissions forms require schools to comment on the percentage of students achieving the top grades in examinations, presumably to provide contextual background to the achievements of a particular student. The question is framed in terms of the percentage of candidates achieving AAA+ at A-level and AAB+ for Advanced Higher, possibly indicating that greater value is attributed to the Advanced Higher. However,
Churchill College, Cambridge
Churchill College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. It has a primary focus on science, engineering and technology, but still retains a strong interest in the arts and humanities.
In 1958, a trust was establish ...
was/is the first Oxbridge College to state that their typical offer for Scottish students will be A1, A1, A2 at Advanced Higher.
Subjects
The following subjects are available at Advanced Higher:
[{{Cite web , url=https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/NQ_Catalogue.xlsx , title=SQA Catalogue of National Qualifications , access-date=2020-03-21]
*Accounting
*Art and Design (Design)
*Art and Design (Expressive)
*Biology
*Business Management
*Cantonese
*Chemistry
*Classical Studies
*Computing Science
*Design and Manufacture
*Drama
*Economics
*Engineering Science
*English
*French
*Gaelic (Learners)
*Gàidhlig
*Geography
*German
*Graphic Communication
*Health and Food Technology
*History
*Italian
*Latin
*Mandarin (Simplified)
*Mandarin (Traditional)
*Mathematics
*Mathematics of Mechanics
*Modern Studies
*Music
*Music Technology
*Music: Portfolio
*Physical Education
*Physics
*Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
*Spanish
*Statistics
See also
*
Higher (Scottish)
In the Scottish secondary education system, the Higher () is one of the national school-leaving certificate exams and university entrance qualifications of the Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC) offered by the Scottish Qualifications ...
*
Scottish Leaving Certificate
The Scottish Leaving Certificate was established in 1888 by Henry Craik, permanent secretary of the Scottish Education Department. It was replaced, in 1962, by the Scottish Certificate of Education
The Scottish Certificate of Education (or SCE) w ...
*
Scottish Qualifications Authority
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA; Gaelic: ''Ùghdarras Theisteanas na h-Alba'') is the executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government responsible for accrediting educational awards. It is partly funded by the Ed ...
*
National Qualifications
National Qualifications (NQs) are qualifications studied in secondary schools and colleges of further education in Scotland. There used to be three types of National Qualification - Standard Grades, National Courses and National Units. For the mo ...
*
GCE Advanced Level (United Kingdom)
The General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level, or A Level, is a main school leaving qualification in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. It is available as an alternative qualification in other ...
References
External links
Scottish Qualifications Authority official websiteScottish Credit and Qualifications Framework official websiteArticle in The Times: Highers Pass A Levels as Oxbridge Gold Standard
Educational qualifications in Scotland
School examinations
Secondary school qualifications
Secondary education in Scotland