SQA · SCQF Levels 6 and 7

Scottish Highers UCAS points

A Scottish Higher is worth 33 UCAS points at A, 27 at B, 21 at C and 15 at D. An Advanced Higher is worth 56, 48, 40 and 32. Below: both tables, what common sets of Highers add up to, and how many you need for a typical points offer.

Checked against the UCAS 2027 Tariff tables on 26 October 2026how we check

Higher and Advanced Higher points

Higher (SCQF 6)

Grade	UCAS points
A	33
B	27
C	21
D	15

Advanced Higher (SCQF 7)

Grade	UCAS points
A	56
B	48
C	40
D	32

Source: UCAS 2027 Tariff tables, Scotland sheet. National 5 (SCQF 5) carries no Tariff points.

Why a Higher A is 33 and not 48

UCAS works points out as size band × grade band. In Scotland the size comes from SCQF credits. A Higher is 24 credits, size band 3. An Advanced Higher is 32 credits, size band 4, the same as an A level.

So a Higher A is 3 × 11 = 33 and an Advanced Higher A is 4 × 14 = 56. That doesn’t mean Scottish students are at a disadvantage: many Scottish pupils sit five Highers in S5 and add more Highers or Advanced Highers in S6, while A level students usually take three subjects over two years. Five Highers at AAAAA (165) land within a few points of A*A*A* (168).

What your Highers add up to

Highers	UCAS points
AAAAA	165
AAAAB	159
AAABB	153
AABBB	147
ABBBB	141
BBBBB	135
AAAA	132
AAAB	126
AABB	120
ABBB	114
BBBB	108
BBBC	102
BBCC	96

Highers for a points offer

The lowest grades that reach each offer with four or with five Highers. Highers move in steps of 6, so you often land a few points over.

Offer	Four Highers	Five Highers
96 points	BBCC (96)	CCCCD (99)
104 points	BBBB (108)	CCCCC (105)
112 points	ABBB (114)	BBCCC (117)
120 points	AABB (120)	BBBCC (123)
128 points	AAAA (132)	BBBBC (129)
136 points	not reachable	ABBBB (141)

Many universities in Scotland set offers in Higher grades (such as AABB) rather than points, and some English universities only count a set number of Highers. UCAS mentions “the highest scoring three A levels or Scottish Highers” as one common limit. The course page has the final word.

Highers questions

How many UCAS points is a Higher?

A Scottish Higher is worth 33 points at A, 27 at B, 21 at C and 15 at D.

How many UCAS points is an Advanced Higher?

An Advanced Higher is worth 56 at A, 48 at B, 40 at C and 32 at D. An A at Advanced Higher carries the same points as an A* at A level.

Why is a Higher worth less than an A level?

Because the Tariff measures size as well as grade. A Higher is 24 SCQF credits, normally one year of study, which puts it in size band 3. An A level is two years and size band 4. A Higher A is 3 × 11 = 33; an A level A is 4 × 12 = 48.

How many UCAS points is AAAA at Higher?

132 points (4 × 33). Five Highers at AAAAA is 165.

Do Highers and Advanced Highers in the same subject both count?

Usually not. UCAS notes that universities generally count only the highest level achieved in a subject, so a Higher is normally dropped once you have the Advanced Higher in that subject. Different subjects can be added together.