Douglas Olsen
In Scotland, students can leave school at 16. However, it is possible to go to university at 17, and this used to be the common entry point. This is because Scottish Higher qualifications allow students to start most courses at Scottish universities at 17. However, most students now choose to stay on at school for an extra year to take Advanced Highers or improve their grades. As a result, the majority of Scottish students are now 18 when they start university.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age of Scottish students when they go to university | 17-19 |
| School year when they go to university | S5 or S6 |
| Birthday range of students starting at 17 | September–February |
| Birthday range of students starting at 18 | January–August |
| Birthday range of students starting at 19 | September–December |
| Age of students when they graduate | 21-22 |
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What You'll Learn
Students can start university at 16
In Scotland, students can leave school and start working or attending training programs from the age of 16. This means that it is possible for students to start university at 16, although this is uncommon.
Scottish students can gain entry to universities with their Highers qualifications, which are usually taken after the fifth year of secondary school (S5). However, in recent years, it has become more common for students to remain in school for an additional year (S6) to take Advanced Highers. This means that most Scottish students are 18 when they start university.
Students with birthdays between September and February will be 17 when they start university, as they will turn 18 within the first few months of starting. It is also possible for students to take a gap year, which means that some students will be 19 when they start their undergraduate degrees.
While it is less common for students to enter university at 16 or 17, it is not unheard of. One student on an online forum commented that they knew a couple of 16-year-olds who started university when they were 17. Another student said they knew several 17-year-olds when they started their degree.
The Scottish education system is different from the rest of the UK, with students in Scotland typically starting school at the age of four and finishing at 17, compared to 16 in England. Scottish universities also offer courses that are typically a year longer than in other parts of the UK.
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Most students are 18
In Scotland, mandatory education ends at age 16. Students can then leave school for work or training programs, or they can continue their secondary education with Highers, the national school-leaving exams used as university entrance qualifications. Scottish students can enter university a year earlier than their English counterparts, as Scottish Highers last only one year compared to two years for English A-levels.
While it is possible to enter university at 16 or 17 in Scotland, most students now choose to stay on at school for an extra year to take Advanced Highers or improve their grades. Students with birthdays between September and February will be 17 when they start university, while those with birthdays between March and August will be 18. In addition, some students may opt to take a gap year, meaning they will be 19 when they start university.
According to students' accounts, it is quite unusual to start university at 17 in Scotland. One student who started at 17 said they were considered young, while another who started at 19 was concerned that they would be much older than their peers. Students who start at 17 may find it difficult to participate in activities such as going to clubs during freshers' week, as they will be under the legal drinking age. However, one student who started university a few weeks before their 17th birthday said that the age difference was not an issue, and they made plenty of friends.
Overall, while Scottish students can enter university at a younger age than in other parts of the UK, most students are 18 when they start their undergraduate degrees.
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Some students are 19
In Scotland, students can leave school and enter the workforce at 16 years old. However, it is possible to go to university at 17, and this used to be the common entry point. Scottish students can gain entry to universities with their Highers qualifications. However, in recent years, it has become more common for students to remain in school for an additional year, taking Advanced Highers or improving their grades. This means that most students now start university at 18.
Students with birthdays between September and February will be 17 when they start university, while those with birthdays between March and August will turn 18 before the start of the academic year. Therefore, it is more common for students to be 18 when they start university, but some students are still 17.
However, it is important to note that some students may choose to take a gap year, which would make them 19 when they start university. Additionally, there are often students from other countries with different school systems, so there can be students of various ages, ranging up to 25.
The age of students can also depend on the course they are taking. For example, engineering courses may have students ranging from 17 to 19 years old.
Overall, while the majority of Scottish students start university at 18, there is variation, and some students are 19 when they commence their undergraduate studies.
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Advanced Highers are taken by students staying on after S5
In Scotland, mandatory education ends in Fifth Year (S5) at secondary school. Pupils can go to university at the end of S5, as Highers are accepted as entry requirements for Scottish universities. However, it has become more common for students to remain until S6, taking Advanced Highers. This is because Advanced Highers are deemed more similar to A-levels, which are required by most English universities, the most popular choice for Scottish students studying outside Scotland.
Students who remain at school after S5 will usually be aged 17 at the start of their university course. This is because, in Scotland, most people start school at age 4 and finish at 17. Therefore, students who remain until S6 will often turn 18 during their first year at university. However, it is possible for students to go to university after S5 with just Highers, and some students may be 16 when they start their degree.
The majority of students at Scottish universities are aged 18 or over. Although it is possible to start a degree at 17, it is becoming less common. This is because many students now opt to take a gap year or stay on at school for an additional year. The variation in ages at university is generally considered unimportant, and there are often students from a wide range of age groups.
Scottish degrees are usually one year longer than degrees in the rest of the UK. This is because Scottish Higher qualifications last for one year, compared to two years for English A-levels. As a result, Scottish students often start their undergraduate degrees at an earlier age than students in other parts of the UK.
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Students can enter university without Advanced Highers
In Scotland, mandatory education ends in Fifth Year (S5) at secondary school. Pupils can go to university at the end of S5, as Highers are the entry requirements for Scottish universities. However, it has become more common for students to remain until S6, taking further Highers and/or Advanced Highers. Advanced Highers are aimed at those who have passed Highers and want to extend their skills and knowledge.
Advanced Highers are not usually needed for entry into Scottish universities. Generally, it is more important to achieve the Highers required for entry-level first. For more competitive programmes, such as Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary Medicine, you are likely to need five Highers achieved in the fifth year and two Advanced Highers and an additional Higher in the sixth year. In certain cases, Advanced Highers may give you direct entry to the second year of a university programme. If you don't get the desired Highers in the fifth year, Advanced Highers may make it more likely for a conditional offer to be made.
Students who are unable to study the required Highers or Advanced Highers might be eligible for a foundation year. For example, Cambridge University offers a Foundation Year in Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences for students applying from Scotland who do not meet the entry requirements.
Students can enter university in Scotland from the age of 16, although it is more common for students to be 18 or 19. Students with birthdays between September and February will likely be 17 when they start university.
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Frequently asked questions
Scottish students can enter university at 16, but it is uncommon. The majority of students are 18, with some turning 19 in their first year.
Scottish students can enter university a year earlier than in England because Scottish Highers last one year compared to two years for English A-levels.
No, it is possible to enter university in Scotland at 16 or 17, but most students are 18.
It is not common for Scottish students to take a gap year, but some do.
There is no upper age limit to starting university in Scotland. Students have reported classmates in their 50s.
