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Scottish Advanced Highers

 
Scottish Advanced Highers
Summary Advanced Highers are taken in the sixth year of secondary schooling (S6). The purpose of the Advanced Higher is to offer the opportunity for in-depth study, specialisation and to develop independent learning. Advanced Highers can offer subject exemptions, or direct entry into the second year of a Scottish 4 year degree programme. In S6, good candidates might take two or three Advanced Highers or additional Highers. 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.

Expert Group report (PDF)
Learning hours 320
32 Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) points.
UCAS Tariff points
(to 2010)
A
B
C
D
120
100
80
72
UCAS Tariff points
(from 2010)
A
B
C
D
130
110
90
72
Awarding organisation SQA
www.sqa.org.uk