National Qualifications

National Qualifications are the most common qualifications offered in Aberdeen Grammar School. Every subject area offers a pathway of National Qualification from SCQF Level 4 to 6 (many courses also offer Level 7). National Qualifications include: 

National 4

National 4 courses are made up of units, including an added value unit which assesses learners’ performance across the course. These units are assessed as pass or fail by a teacher or lecturer and learners need to pass all units, including the added value unit, to achieve the qualification. 

Successful completion of a National 4 could lead to studying

• National 5

• NPA Level 5

• Skills for Work Level 5

• National Certificate (College)

National 5

National 5 courses are assessed through a question paper (exam) or coursework, or both — most of which will be marked by SQA. The courses are graded A to D or ‘no award’. 

Successful completion of a National 5 course could lead to:

• Higher (recommended if you have an A or B)

• NPA Level 6 

• Foundation Apprenticeships

• National Certificate (College)

• Modern Apprenticeship  (work based learning)

Higher

Higher courses are made up of units, which focus on different areas of the course. All Higher courses lead to a course assessment. The course assessment involves a question paper (exam) or coursework, or both — most of which will be marked by SQA. In some subjects, coursework is marked by a teacher. The courses are graded A to D or ‘no award’.

Young people considering applying to university should be working towards leaving school with a minimum of 4/5 Highers. For this reason it is important that you plan your senior phase pathway carefully to ensure you are giving yourself the opportunity to achieve this. It is important that you do your research when it comes to university entry requirements as these vary between courses and universities. 

Successful completion of a Higher courses could lead to further study in:

• Advanced Higher (recommended if you have an A or B and wish to continue studying in this subject at University)

• Additional Highers

• NPA Level 6 

• Foundation Apprenticeships

• HNC/HND (College)

• Modern Apprenticeship (work based learning)

Advanced Higher

Advanced Higher courses are made up of units, which focus on different areas of the course. All Advanced Higher courses lead to a course assessment. The course assessment involves a question paper (exam) or coursework, or both — most of which will be marked by SQA. In some subjects, coursework is marked by a teacher. The courses are graded A to D or ‘no award’.

Young people considering applying to university should be aware that the grade you achieve in your Advanced Higher course will cancel out the Higher grade you have already achieved. The course will not be 'double counted' as it is in the same subject area. Be aware of this when choosing your subjects to ensure you meet the minimum entry requirements. 

Advanced Higher courses are almost always completed in S6 and can lead to further study in:

• Higher National Diploma (College) 

• Undergraduate Degree (University)

• Technical Apprenticeship at SCQF level 8 (work based learning)