Higher vs Advanced Higher: What's the Difference?

Highers and Advanced Highers are both Qualifications Scotland awards, both typically taken in S5/S6, and both used for university entry. But they operate at different SCQF levels, involve very different workloads, and serve different purposes in the S6 year.

At a glance

What makes Advanced Higher different?

Advanced Highers are a genuine step up — not just more of the same. The key differences in practice:

1. The independent project Every Advanced Higher includes a substantial independent element: a dissertation (English, History, Modern Studies), an investigation (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), a design project (Technology, Computing), or a performance portfolio (Music, Drama). This element typically counts for 30–40% of the final grade and requires sustained independent work over several months.

2. Depth of content Advanced Higher content goes significantly deeper than the corresponding Higher. A pupil who found Higher Maths challenging will likely find Advanced Higher Maths very demanding. A pupil who coasted through Higher English will find the Advanced Higher dissertation requires a different quality of independent thinking.

3. University-style learning Particularly in S6, Advanced Higher courses are often taught with greater expectation of independent reading, self-directed study and intellectual initiative. This is deliberate — Advanced Higher is designed as a bridge to university-level work.

UCAS points: why they matter

Higher A grades earn 33 UCAS points each. Advanced Higher A grades earn 56 UCAS points — the same as an A-Level A*.

For applications to Scottish universities, UCAS points matter less because Scottish universities typically frame offers in subject-and-grade terms (e.g. "AABB at Higher including Maths"). For applications to English universities, where UCAS points are used more explicitly, Advanced Highers substantially strengthen an application.

A student with AAABB at Higher (5 grades) earns: 33 + 33 + 27 + 27 + 27 = 147 UCAS points.

A student with AAB at Higher plus AA at Advanced Higher earns: 33 + 33 + 27 + 56 + 56 = 205 UCAS points.

When should a pupil take Advanced Highers?

Take Advanced Highers if:

• You're applying to English universities for competitive courses (medicine, law, engineering, Oxbridge)
• You're applying to Scottish universities for very competitive courses (medicine, dentistry at Edinburgh or Glasgow)
• You genuinely enjoy the subject and want to go deeper — the extended project element rewards intellectual curiosity
• Your S5 Higher grade was A or strong B and you're confident the material won't overwhelm you
• Your target university specifies Advanced Higher (always check UCAS entry requirements for your specific course)

Consider sticking with additional Highers if:

• You're applying only to Scottish universities for non-competitive courses
• Your S5 Higher grade was C or D — the Advanced Higher jump may be too large
• You want to take a new subject at Higher level in S6 (perfectly valid)
• You need to resit and improve a key Higher grade from S5

Advanced Higher vs A-Level

Advanced Higher and A-Level are at the same SCQF/RQF level (Level 7) and carry the same UCAS points at each grade. Universities treat them as equivalent for most purposes. The differences:

• A-Levels are studied over two years (Y12 + Y13); Advanced Highers over one year (S6)
• A-Levels typically go slightly deeper than Advanced Highers (two years vs one)
• Advanced Higher pupils are typically 17 rather than 18 at the time of sitting

English universities that specify A-Level entry requirements for Scottish applicants will usually state a Higher + Advanced Higher equivalent. Check UCAS individual course entry requirements to see the Scottish qualification alternative.

Advanced Highers for Oxbridge and Russell Group

Oxford and Cambridge, along with many other Russell Group universities, welcome Scottish applicants with Advanced Highers. Most competitive Oxbridge courses ask for three Advanced Highers at AAA or equivalent, alongside relevant Highers. This is a very demanding target — only a small number of S6 pupils achieve three Advanced Higher A grades.

For Scottish pupils considering Oxbridge: start the Advanced Higher subjects in which you want to apply no later than S5 — ideally by studying the Higher in S5 with a view to Advanced Higher in S6. Discuss this with your guidance teacher and subject teachers early.

For UCAS points for all Scottish qualifications, see UCAS points for Scottish Highers. For applying to English universities with Scottish qualifications, see applying to English universities with Highers.