Scotland\'s educational structure

Scotland's Educational Structure

Scotland has its own qualification system, which is administered below degree level by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). The first SQA qualification at school level is usually Standard Grade, normally taken in the fourth year of secondary school and broadly equivalent to the GCSE examination in England.

After Standard Grade, students follow the Higher Still programme which offers a broad range of subjects, academic and vocational, at fifth and sixth year. The system is modular and there are five levels – Access, Intermediate 1 and 2, Higher and Advanced Higher.

Highers are normally taken in fifth year in up to six subjects giving pupils breadth, depth of study and individual choice. In the sixth year pupils can improve on their Highers, take more Highers or continue in selected subjects to Advanced Higher. Highers and Advanced Highers are recognised for entrance to universities throughout the United Kingdom. Some independent schools also offer A levels (certified via the English system).

For more information on Scotland's Educational Structure visit www.educationukscotland.org

Information courtesy of Scottish Education & Training.