Highers

Highers are not just for school leavers - they are available for people of all ages. If you need Highers as part of your career or personal development, perhaps to progress to Higher Education or for university entrance, we can help. A Higher qualification is a valuable pathway to further qualifications and are accepted by all Higher Education Institutions. Highers are part of the Scottish Qualifications Authority’s (SQA) new Scottish Qualifications System, referred to as National Qualifications (NQs). A single Higher course normally takes around 160 hours of study to complete and includes one or more of the "core skills" - communication, numeracy, information technology, problem solving and working with others. You are assessed throughout your studies, and at the end of the course (i.e. once all three units have been passed) there is an external national assessment set by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). This usually takes the form of a written paper lasting up to three hours, but can also consist of coursework and/or performance. Your achievements will be recorded on a certificate, which is updated each time a new SQA qualification is gained. Even if you don’t pass all of the course your certificate will list the units you have passed. Please keep it safe as it demonstrates your achievements and educational attainment, and may be requested at job interviews and if you apply for Further or Higher Education.