Humanities: Scottish Studies

National Progression Award (Level 5)

Course Overview

This course provides learners with an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills that they have learned in Humanities and Social Subject courses within a Scottish context. The completion of the Humanities course will lead to a Scottish Studies Award.

 This Humanities course will help learners develop skills of planning, reviewing sources, selecting relevant information and reflecting upon what they have learned. 


Unit 1 - National 4/5 Travel and Tourism, Scotland

In the Travel and Tourism unit learners will carry out an investigation of travel and tourism in Scotland. They will describe tourist attractions and holiday destinations, identify current travel and tourism trends and examine the positive and negative impacts of tourism. To complete the unit learners will put together a holiday proposal with planned activities and an itinerary.


Unit 2 - National 4/5 History – Scotland and the Great War

In this Scottish History unit learners will examine the impact of the Great War on Scotland. They will investigate the experiences of Scottish soldiers on the Western Front, the impact of the war on civilians and also the effects of the war on aspects of Scottish life such as politics and industry. 


 Unit 3 - National 4/5 – Modern Studies – Social issues in Scotland

In this unit, learners will study issues of social inequality or crime and law within Scotland.


Unit 4 – Scotland in Focus 

To achieve the Scotland in Focus Unit, learners will plan and complete research on an aspect of Scotland that is of interest to them. This might involve, for example, finding out about a famous Scottish person, place or invention; Scottish music, art, literature or architecture; Scottish communities at home or abroad; people, circumstances or events that have influenced Scottish culture. Learners will communicate their findings in a manner of their choice e.g. as a presentation, a report, a piece of creative writing, a video or a performance. 


Faculty Principal Teacher

Mrs J Irvine

Learning and Teaching Approaches

A variety of active learning and teaching strategies will be involved, from teacher led discussion to individual work; paired work; group work; fieldwork; researching and presenting information; interpretation and analysis of various sources of information.  The emphasis is on helping learners to be able to work independently.  When completing the Scotland in Focus unit learners will be required to keep a reflective journal. 

Assessment Methods

Scottish Studies is assessed via four units. There is no external exam. The course will be offered at Level 4 and Level 5. 

Entry Requirements

National 4 pass in any Humanities subjects. 



Recommended Next Steps in S6

Find out more about related careers or further study

UCAS connects people to University, post Uni studies including teacher training, apprenticeships & internships. 

Find all the information for your next steps by using the search tool. This will allow you to research UK university courses related to your interests

NESCOL is our local college and offers a wide range of courses. 

Find out more about courses available by using their A-Z course search page. 


My World of Work is an all age service, designed to help build your career management skills and discover what careers match your skills, interests, education and experience. Pupils will have used this website throughout school. 

We recommend you take a look at the Explore Careers section to help you research careers. 

Planit Plus is a website that provides information on careers, learning and school subjects. This resource has been designed to support Scottish Secondary School pupils. 

We recommend you take a look at the Career Progression Posters for ideas.