Choosing your undergraduate courseHow to choose your subjects at school
Subject guidance for the senior phase
If you're planning to go on to university, choosing the appropriate subjects is important. This guide examines some of the issues to consider when choosing your subjects and outlines the specific Highers which may be required for entry.
The focus is on the University of Strathclyde to give you some examples of what you might need. Subject requirements at other universities are generally similar, but you'll find some differences, so it's important to check the details with each institution.
In this guide
Preparing to make your choices
The first step is to find courses that interest you, their entry requirements and the essential subject for entry.
- check current prospectuses, university websites or the UCAS website to find out what degree courses are on offer
- identify some courses which interest you
- check the entry requirements of your preferred courses and which subjects are essential
Considering your options
Gaining all of the required Highers and grades by the end of S5 may lead to an unconditional offer of a university place when you apply in S6, so getting your choices right, and putting in the hard work to gain the grades is well worth it.
Selecting Highers
- if possible you should choose those Highers which are essential for entry
- in addition, you should consider subjects which will develop relevant skills, for example, essay-based subjects for social sciences or business or subjects like art & design, manufacturing or graphic communication for product design courses
- base your other choices on subjects you enjoy and are good at, to give you the best chance of gaining the overall grades required for entry
You've gained the required grades
If you have gained the required grades by the end of S5 you should use S6 to:
- take recommended or favourite subjects to Advanced Higher level
- take other subjects of interest at Higher for additional breadth
- gain relevant skills and experience through volunteering in school or the community
You've not gained the required grades
If you require additional qualifications by the end of S5 you should use S6 to:
- meet any specific subject and grade requirements
- take subjects which will develop and demonstrate relevant skills, for example, essay-based subjects for social sciences or business or subjects like art & design, manufacturing or graphic communication for product design courses
- take subjects you are good at, to help you gain strong grades
When to upgrade Highers
If a Higher which you gained at B or C is required at A or B for entry to your chosen course.
When to take Advanced Highers:
- if you enjoy a subject, want to continue studying it and are close to the required entry grades for your chosen course by the end of S5
- when the Advanced Higher is required or recommended for your chosen University course
Note that it's important to check the entry requirements in the undergraduate prospectus or course page to find out what credit is given to Advanced Highers for the courses which interest you.
Subject requirements at Strathclyde
At Strathclyde, we have a general policy of considering any SQA Higher towards entry. However, the range of Highers and possible combinations on offer in schools is considerable and some courses may recommend particular Higher subjects as they are relevant to the course.
All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English and Maths. For Scottish students, this usually means National 5 at a minimum of C.
Please contact the admissions staff named in the prospectus/course page or the Recruitment & International Office (ugenquiries@strath.ac.uk) for advice if you have any doubts about a Higher you are considering, or about a mix of Highers.
Normal minimum entry requirements:
- a minimum of 4 Highers, plus:
- National 5 (A-C) in English and Maths
The Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Science and Strathclyde Business School require National 5 Maths.
The Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences will also accept National 5 Lifeskills Maths/Applications of Maths.
Widening access
In order to support the University’s commitment to widening access and encouraging students from diverse backgrounds to study with us, specific items of contextual data are taken into account when we consider applications.
For more information on the use of this data in admissions view our Widening access section.
Please find below specific Higher subject requirements for the University of Strathclyde courses you might want to consider.
You'll also find information on Advanced Highers, Foundation Apprenticeships and entry from college.
We'll generally count any Higher towards entry so long as you also meet the specific course requirements and most of your subjects reflect your course interests. Subjects you're good at and enjoy can form the basis for the rest of your choices, giving you the best chance of gaining good grades.
Please note: this information is for guidance purposes only. The final decision on entry to your chosen course rests with the Academic Selector.
Higher English is required for courses in:
- Accounting
- Architectural Studies
- Business
- Business Analysis & Technology
- Business Enterprise
- Economics
- Education
- English
- Finance
- French
- History
- Hospitality & Tourism Management
- Human Resource Management
- International Business
- Journalism, Media & Communication
- Law
- Marketing
- Pharmacy
- Politics & International Relations
- Primary Education
- Psychology
- Social Policy
- Social Work
- Speech & Language Pathology
- Spanish
- Sport & Physical Activity
- any joint degree with Teaching
Higher Maths required for courses in:
- Accounting
- Aero-Mechanical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Computer & Information Sciences
- Data Analytics
- Electronic & Electrical Engineering
- Engineering Academy
- Forensic Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Naval Architecture, Ocean & Marine Engineering
- Pharmacy
- Physics
- Product Design Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering with Management
- Prosthetics & Orthotics
- Software Engineering
Maths or Physics is required for Architectural Studies.
Maths or Physics or Engineering Science is required for Product Design & Innovation.
Maths or a science is required for Sport & Physical Activity.
- a National 5 in a language other than English is recommended for entry to Speech & Language Pathology
- Higher French or Spanish is required for International Business with a Modern Language
Sciences
Higher Chemistry is required for courses in:
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Forensic Chemistry
- Pharmacy
Higher Chemistry and Higher Biology is required for courses in:
- Biochemistry
- Biomolecular Science
- Biomedical Science
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Higher Computing Science is recommended for:
- Computer Science
- Software Engineering
Higher Physics is required for courses in:
- Aero-Mechanical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Electronic & Electrical Engineering
- Engineering Academy
- Mechanical Engineering
- Naval Architecture, Ocean & Marine Engineering
- Physics
- Product Design Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering with Management
Higher Engineering Science is an acceptable alternative to Physics for some Engineering courses.
Higher Biology/Human Biology is required for:
- MSci Biomolecular Science courses
- Pharmacy
It is useful for entry to Allied Health Professions such as Speech & Language Pathology or Prosthetics & Orthotics.
Higher Biology is recommended for Biomedical Engineering.
Higher Physics and Higher Biology/Human Biology are recommended for Prosthetics & Orthotics.
Social subjects
Higher Geography, History, Modern Studies, Religious Moral & Philosophical Studies (or other subjects which develop your skills in essay writing and critical thinking) are very favourably regarded by the Strathclyde Business School.
Humanities & Social Sciences courses require that you take two Highers in subjects like these, one of which must be Higher English.
Creative subjects
Higher Art & Design, Design & Manufacture or Graphic Communication is recommended for:
- Product Design & Innovation
- Product Design Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering with Management
- Sports Design Engineering
Higher Art & Design, Design & Manufacture or Graphic Communication is required for:
- Architectural Studies
Advanced Highers
Gaining Advanced Highers is helpful to give you grounding for first year study at university, and in some cases, can qualify for first year course and exam exemptions. The qualifications are treated differently from department to department and you should check online or in the current prospectus for relevant information.
- most of our Engineering courses will recommend Advanced Higher Maths and Advanced Higher Physics for entry
- Chemical Engineering also recommends Advanced Higher Chemistry
- Prosthetics & Orthotics recommend Advanced Higher Maths, Physics or Biology
- Advanced Higher Chemistry plus one other Advanced Higher Science are required for entry to Pharmacy
- Advanced Higher Maths is recommended for all mathematical courses including Data Analytics
- Advanced Higher Chemistry and Maths are recommended for all Chemistry courses
Foundation Apprenticeships
Foundation Apprenticeships will usually be considered equivalent to one SQA Higher for entry to all four faculties (with the exception of law courses).
Where specified subjects are required for entry to a degree programme (for example Maths and Physics for entry to Engineering), the Foundation Apprenticeship will not replace that requirement but will count as one of the additional subjects making up the total complement of qualifications.
Entry from college
If you're considering progressing to further education before applying to university, it's important that you contact the admissions staff for your intended degree course, to check that your Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) will be considered for entry.
Find out more about Entry from college.