Can anyone talk me through the Uni application process/timeline (Scotland)

[PrincessRamone]

I feel like I’m being a bit thick, but I can’t seem to get my head around what happens when.

DS currently in S4 sitting N5s. So he would be looking at a 2024 entry.

So according to the UCAS guidelines, he would be applying in Jan 2024 (when in 6th year).

So I presume that would be based on the results he would have received in Aug 2023 (the Highers sat in 5th year).

So anything he sits in 6th year is irrelevant to the application, unless a conditional offer is given?

The reason I ask (posted before on this), the courses he is interested in need Higher Maths, or 5 Highers in a single sitting in 5th year, neither of which are an option to him due to a monumental cock-up by his current school.

He has no option to sit Higher maths earlier than 6th year.

I have DC1 in 1st yr uni so can share how it worked for her.

She completed UCAS application in November/December S6. They can apply for 5 courses.

She put down the 4 Highers she'd got in S5 plus the 2 Highers and 1AH she was sitting in S6. She knew the grades she had wouldn't be high enough to get an unconditional offer (several of her friends got unconditional offers so their S6 results didn't matter.)

She started to get offers in Jan & Feb. They were conditional on her S6 Highers, A & B iirc.
They weren't interested in the AH as that's not actually a university entrance qualification in Scotland.

Once all their offers are in they then choose 2, a 1st choice and an insurance and await the S6 results. She was lucky she got the grades for her 1st choice.

Ah, so you actually put what you are taking in S6 on the application! That now seems so obvious but makes it click into place. I couldn’t get my head around what the point of 6th year would be and how the conditional works.

I presume though, courses that get oversubscribed probably don’t give conditionals?

I am just so angry that the schools mistake has probably already restricted his choices of university.

(And thank you )

Ask the school to explain in their reference why he couldn't do H maths in S5 or 5 Highers. This might help him get a conditional.

If his maths is very good and you are near Glasgow, there used to be a H maths Saturday course at one of the colleges.

Going through the process with my s6 just now.

Your point about over subscribed courses - when all the entry requirements are met they often do offer conditional on adv Highers - this is becoming more popular as a way of ensuring they keep studying in s6 and don't get a case of unconditionalitis. I know of quite a few people needing , for example, a B in an adv higher , despite having the entry requirements from their s5 highers.

Oh Yes I remember your post about the maths cock up!

For medicine/dentistry/vet I think if you don't have 5As in S5 you're not going to get any offers as they're so competitive.
But I think other courses that ask for 5 Highers will often give conditional offers to applicants with 4 if they are very good grades. But many courses ask for higher grades if over 2 sittings eg AAABB if one sitting, AAAABB if 2 sittings

Your DS may be able to mention somewhere in the application about being unable to take Higher maths in S5. There is a personal statement as part of the application and also a reference goes in from school.so may be able to mention in there? I'm not sure as although I saw and helped with personal statement I didn't see her actual UCAS application as it was all done in school under their guidance.

@SandyIrvine that’s a good idea. We are now going to be moving school because of it, but the new school could include it.

@PostPopper my worry is he won’t meet the entry requirements. e.g. St Andrew’s want 5 Highers in 5th year. If they are already massively oversubscribed with applicants that already have that, they aren’t going to give a conditional to DS just because his school messed up.

Thanks @CuddlyCactus. I am just gutted that this isn’t something we can seem to sort out. Such a stupid mistake to then mess up someone’s prospects, or at least limit his options. I keep thinking if I look harder then I can find a solution.

I keep meaning to look at English Unis. I remember someone saying they were often based more on 6th year results.

when all the entry requirements are met they often do offer conditional on adv Highers - this is becoming more popular as a way of ensuring they keep studying in s6

I think this is probably a peculiarity of the current (covid) cohort as they haven't actually sat an exam diet so some universities are reluctant to give unconditional offers.

@CuddlyCactus

when all the entry requirements are met they often do offer conditional on adv Highers - this is becoming more popular as a way of ensuring they keep studying in s6

I think this is probably a peculiarity of the current (covid) cohort as they haven't actually sat an exam diet so some universities are reluctant to give unconditional offers.

yep, possibly

Yes @PrincessRamone 2 of DD's friends have gone to English unis and although they had good Highers they got offers conditional on their AHs.
English universities are 3 yr courses, my understanding is 1st yr is higher level of study than in Scotland hence need for AHs

One of my DC needed higher maths and didn’t get a great grade in S5 they resat in S6 along with another higher and two advanced highers. I think every uni gave him a different combination of conditions !! Some focussed on the AH plus the H maths, others just the two highers! Main point is that it doesn’t all hinge on S5, S6 gives a great way to build on S5.

The UCAS closing date is January (with earlier closing dates for medicine/dentistry etc). Most schools will have their pupils start the application process very early in S6 with the aim of it being submitted well before the January closing date.

Thanks. All very helpful. I feel much more confident in the process now.