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How Scottish Higher grades will be awarded in 2021

All Scottish exams have been cancelled this summer because of the pandemic. We look at how 2021 Scottish Higher grades will be awarded.

Jamie Dobbs
by Jamie Dobbs
Last Updated:
03 Jun 2021

CONTENTS

How will 2021 Scottish Higher grades be awarded?

When will Scottish Higher results day 2021 be?

What will this mean for your university application?

How to appeal Scottish Higher results

What are the resit options?

What if your grades don't match your uni offers?

How will 2021 Scottish Higher grades be awarded?


The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) have decided that all Scottish Higher students will receive teacher-assessed grades in 2021. Teachers will award grades based on a student’s performance in mock exams and coursework. Three or four pieces of work from each student will be used to determine their grades.

A different teacher, a member of the local authority and, in some cases, an SQA employee will double-check the grades to ensure quality control and consistency.

Final grades will be submitted to SQA by Friday 25th June 2021.

When will Scottish Higher results day 2021 be?


SQA will release Scottish Higher grades on Tuesday 10th August 2021. Students can sign up to My SQA to receive their grades via text or email.

What will this mean for your university application?


Receiving teacher-assessed grades shouldn’t affect your university application. Continue applying as normal, as universities are sending out conditional offers. Conditional offers mean that you must meet the course entry requirements to gain a place. You will know whether you meet the entry requirements once you receive your teacher-assessed grades.

How to appeal Scottish Higher results


SQA have announced that National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher students will be able to appeal their grades. From Friday 25th June students can register with SQA to appeal their provisional grades. Appeals will then begin to be processed after results day in August.

What are the resit options?


Students will be given the opportunity to sit their exams next year if they wish. Both the grades they earn from these exams, along with their teacher-assessed grades, will show on their records of attainment. Students can use the better of the two sets of grades for university entry.

What if your grades don’t match your uni offers?


Clearing is your best option. You can get a university place on a different course, meaning you can start your university experience in the year you planned.

Clearing opens on Monday 5th July and ends on Tuesday 19th October. Once you receive your grades on results day, you will have time to search for the ideal course.

NEXT:

2021 UCAS Applications: Your Questions Covered

University Applications 2021: Covid Changes to University Entry

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