Lana Oconnell
Scottish students can go to university at the age of 17, as Highers—the national school-leaving exams—provide the entry requirements for Scottish universities. However, most students now choose to stay on at school for an extra year to sit Advanced Highers or improve their grades. Scottish universities are leading the way in areas such as life sciences, medical research, biotechnology, and environmental sciences. In 2019, three Scottish universities were among the top 100 worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age of majority in Scotland | 16 |
| Age students can go to university in Scotland | 16-17 |
| Common age students go to university in Scotland | 17-18 |
| Age of students in Scottish universities | 17-25 |
| Age of "young students" in Scotland | Under 25 |
| Age of students taking a gap year | 19 |
| Age of international students | 21 |
| Number of years for Scottish university terms | 4 |
| Number of years for English university terms | 3 |
| Number of top Scottish universities in the world | 3 |
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What You'll Learn
It is possible to enter university in Scotland at 16 or 17
In Scotland, compulsory schooling ends at the age of 16. After that, students can leave school and enter the workforce or training programs. However, most students complete their secondary education and take the Highers exam, which is a requirement for university entrance in Scotland. The Highers exam can be taken after S5, allowing students to enter university at 16 or 17.
Scottish universities are known for their academic excellence and have produced some of Europe's best business schools. They also offer a wide range of vocational and academic qualifications, including certificates, higher national certificates, diplomas, and degrees. The Scottish education system is distinct from the rest of the UK, emphasizing breadth across various subjects rather than depth in a smaller range of advanced topics.
While it is possible to enter university in Scotland at 16 or 17, it is becoming more common for students to stay in school until S6 and take Advanced Highers. This additional year of study allows students to improve their grades and better prepare for university-level education. Most students who enter university at 16 or 17 will have completed their Highers and met the entry requirements for Scottish universities, which have four-year terms compared to the three-year terms in English universities.
The age of university entrance in Scotland is influenced by the student's birth year and the timing of their secondary education. Students born between October and February who complete S6 will be 17 when they start university. It is less common for students to enter university at 16, as they would need to join after S5 and may not have the same level of preparation as their older peers.
The decision to enter university at a younger age is a personal choice, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some students may feel more comfortable taking a gap year or gaining work experience before starting their undergraduate studies. Ultimately, the maturity and readiness of the individual should be considered when deciding to enter university at a younger age.
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Most students are 18 or over
In Scotland, education is only compulsory up to the age of 16. After this, young people can leave school for work or training programs. However, most students complete their secondary education and take exams, known as Highers, which are used as university entrance qualifications.
It is possible to go to university in Scotland at the age of 17. However, this is becoming less common, as many students now opt to stay on at school for an extra year to take Advanced Highers and improve their grades. This means that most students are 18 or over when they start university.
Some students who start school at 4 and a half, and go straight to university after S6, will still be 17 when they start their degree. However, this is quite unusual. One source suggests that it is only those with birthdays in October, November, and December who will still be 17, as it is now more common for children to start school at the age of 5.
Some students take a gap year before starting university, which means that they will be 19 or older when they begin their degree. It is also becoming more common for students to take a longer break before starting university, and there are students of all ages, with some in their 50s.
Scottish degrees have an extra year at the start compared to English degrees, which means that students in Scotland start their undergraduate degrees at an earlier age of 17 or 18. However, both Scottish and English degrees finish at the same level, and the same time.
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Advanced Highers can be taken before university
In Scotland, compulsory schooling ends at the age of 16. However, most students continue their secondary education and take their Highers, the national school-leaving exams that are used as university entrance qualifications. Advanced Highers are optional qualifications that can be taken after Highers and are aimed at students aged 16 to 18. They are the highest certificate offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and are designed to simulate the first year of university in a particular subject.
Advanced Highers are not typically required for entry to Scottish universities. However, they can be beneficial for students applying to competitive programmes or seeking direct entry to the second year of a university programme. For example, students applying to Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh are required to achieve five Highers at the end of S5 and two Advanced Highers in S6. Similarly, Churchill College, Cambridge, has stated that their typical offer for Scottish students will include Advanced Higher grades.
Advanced Highers can also be advantageous for students wishing to study outside of Scotland, particularly at English universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. These universities have recognised the wider syllabus involved in studying Advanced Highers and have adjusted their entry requirements accordingly. The University of Edinburgh also considers predicted performance in Advanced Highers for highly competitive programmes.
While Advanced Highers can enhance a student's university application, it is important to prioritise achieving the required Highers first. Universities typically publish 'minimum' and 'standard' entry requirements, and students should carefully research the specific requirements for their chosen degree programmes. Additionally, students should consider the implications of not studying a subject at the Higher level, as this may limit their options for further specialisation.
In conclusion, Advanced Highers can be taken before university and can provide benefits such as improved university entrance qualifications, direct entry to the second year of a programme, and enhanced preparation for university-level studies. However, they are not mandatory for entry to Scottish universities, and students should carefully weigh the advantages against the potential challenges of taking on additional qualifications.
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Scottish universities are publicly funded
In Scotland, compulsory schooling ends at the age of 16. After that, students can leave school for work or training programs. However, most students complete their secondary education with Highers, the national school-leaving exams that serve as university entrance qualifications. Students who wish to study outside of Scotland may need to complete Advanced Highers. While most Scottish students are 18 or older when they start university, it is possible for students who are still 17 or even 16 to enrol.
Scotland has a history of universal provision of public education, and its education system is distinct from those in the other countries of the United Kingdom. The Scotland Act 1998 gives the Scottish Parliament legislative control over all education matters, including universities. University status in Scotland is conferred by the Privy Council, which takes advice from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
All Scottish universities are public universities and are funded by the Scottish Government through its Scottish Funding Council. The Scottish Funding Council currently provides funding to 19 universities and higher education institutions. The core funding from the council contributes to the cost of high-quality learning, teaching, and research capacity, as well as funding academic, administrative, technical, and support staff, facilities, accommodation, equipment, and materials.
The Scottish Government is committed to keeping higher education accessible to its citizens. Tuition at Scottish universities is free for Scottish students and ''settled' or 'pre-settled' students from the EU/EEA/EFTA. Scottish-domiciled students receive financial support from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, which also handles tuition fees. Students ordinarily resident in Scotland do not pay tuition fees for their first undergraduate degree, but tuition fees are charged for those from the rest of the United Kingdom and international students. The fees for international students can be quite high, with some paying up to £20,000 per year.
Public sector funding for higher education in Scotland has seen a decrease in recent years, and universities have had to rely on international students as a source of income to remain financially sustainable. The Scottish Funding Council allocates each university a number of 'funded places' for eligible Scottish students, with financial penalties for recruitment beyond a certain limit. This stands in contrast to universities in other parts of the UK, which can generate increased income by charging higher fees.
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Scottish degrees have an extra year at the start
In Scotland, students can leave school and are no longer subject to compulsory education once they turn 16. Scottish Higher qualifications allow students to start most courses at Scottish universities at 17, and this used to be the common entry point. However, most now opt to stay in school for an extra year to take Advanced Highers or improve their grades. This means that most Scottish students are 18 or older when they start university.
The Scottish education system is distinct from the rest of the UK. The Scottish system at the secondary school level emphasizes breadth across a range of subjects, while the English, Welsh, and Northern Irish systems emphasize greater depth of education over a smaller range of advanced subjects. Scottish universities are also leading the way in innovations in areas such as life sciences, medical research, biotechnology, and environmental sciences.
Scotland has some of Europe's best business schools, and its credentials are well-respected internationally. Scottish universities are also more affordable than in the rest of the UK, as Scottish-domiciled students do not pay tuition fees for their first undergraduate degree.
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Frequently asked questions
The minimum age to attend university in Scotland is 17 years old.
The average age of students starting university in Scotland is 18 years old.
It is uncommon for students to start university at 16 in Scotland, but it is possible.
It is not common for Scottish students to take a gap year before starting university.
