Approved subjects

Scottish Higher and Advanced Higher subjects we accept for general University entry.

For many degrees, we will expect you to have achieved certain grades in specific subjects. We call these ‘required subjects’.

We accept most subjects for general University entry. There are some Higher and Advanced Higher subjects which we only accept under certain conditions, or for entry to specific degrees.

Higher subjects with conditions

Native language Highers

We accept Highers in your native language, except for some degrees where you cannot use your native language to meet a language requirement. If we do not accept a native language to meet the language requirement, we will specify this in the entry requirements section in the degree finder.

Higher Biology with Higher Human Biology

We accept Higher Biology and Higher Human Biology as two separate subjects for degrees in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Science and Engineering, unless otherwise stated in the entry requirements section in the degree finder.

Only one of Higher Biology or Higher Human Biology will be accepted for degrees in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.

Higher English with Higher English for Speakers of Other Languages

We accept only one of Higher English and Higher English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) if both subjects are taken in the same year. 

Where Higher ESOL is taken in one year, and Higher English is taken in a subsequent year, we may accept them as separate subjects, if there is clear evidence of progression. We will assess this on a case-by-case basis.

Higher English for Speakers of Other Languages

We do not accept Higher English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in place of Higher English for degrees in English literature and Scottish literature.

We may accept Higher ESOL to meet the requirement for Higher English for degrees in law when it is taken in combination with other subjects. You should contact us for further advice.

Higher Fashion and Textile Technology/Home Economics: Fashion and Textile Technology

We do not accept Higher Fashion and Textile Technology/Home Economics: Fashion and Textile Technology for general University entry. We do accept it for entry to art and design degrees (excluding MA Fine Art).

Higher Mathematics with Higher Applications of Mathematics

We accept Higher Mathematics and Higher Applications of Mathematics as two separate subjects, unless otherwise stated in the entry requirements section in the degree finder.

Higher Photography

We do not accept Higher Photography for general University entry. We do accept it for entry to art and design degrees (excluding MA Fine Art), including BA/MA Architecture and MA Landscape Architecture.

Higher Science

We do not accept Higher Science in place of other required science subjects.

Subjects with common material

We do not typically count subjects that contain a high proportion of common material separately.

Advanced Higher subjects with conditions

Advanced Higher Art (Design) and Advanced Higher Art (Expressive)

Where Advanced Highers are being used to meet entry requirements we will accept only one of Advanced Higher Art (Design) and Advanced Higher Art (Expressive) unless you are applying to a degree in Art and Design (excluding MA Fine Art).

Advanced Higher Mathematics and Advanced Higher Mathematics of Mechanics

Where Advanced Highers are being used to meet entry requirements we will accept only one of Advanced Higher Mathematics and Advanced Higher Mathematics of Mechanics.

Advanced Higher Mathematics and Advanced Higher Statistics

Where Advanced Highers are being used to meet entry requirements we will accept both Advanced Higher Mathematics and Advanced Higher Statistics as two separate subjects.

Advice

Get in touch if you need advice on the acceptability of any subject for entry to a particular degree, or on subjects sharing common material.

Subject choice

As long as you are taking the required subjects listed in the degree finder for your degree, we would advise you to do subjects that you enjoy most, or the subjects you are most likely to do well in.

Doing subjects that you are most likely to do well in gives you the best chance of meeting the entry requirements.

Required, preferred and recommended subjects

We use different terms in the degree finder like 'required' and 'preferred' subjects when talking about entry requirements.

When we use these terms, we mean:

Required: must have this subject
Preferred: will get preference in selection if you have this subject
Recommended: this subject is good preparation for this degree

Understanding our entry requirements

Degree finder