Retaking Highers ?

[theferry]

DD hasn’t got the Higher grades she wanted—BCCC— the uni she wants to go to requires BBBB (she’s going into S6, not applied this year, planning on applying in the Autumn). She’s talking about retaking English and History.

Anyone got a sense of how universities tend to perceive retakes? She wants to go to Napier to do Film.

Friend of my eldest retook two Hs (CD) and got As plus crashed another 3Hs. She got advice from admissions from uni course she was aiming for. School thought AH with a C whilst trying to upgrade the D would be too much.

Look at the course entry requirements on their website. Where it says 'second sitting' that means the grades you should have by the end of S6.

So if she needed 4 Bs this year, they might ask for 6 Bs in total to include S6.

I think they'll take the new grade into consideration, even if its a lower one than their first attempt but best to check with a teacher.

@SandyIrving thanks. Good call about checking with the university admissions.

@motheronthedancefloor many thanks. The universities don’t specify when they have to be done by. Just that they ask for BBBB, including English. It’s just the 4 Highers, not 6, that she would need.

My DC1 had a conditional in S6 of BBBB from Napier ) is now at another Uni). That was the course entry requirement and it didn't matter whether it was taken over 1 or 2 years.
They were also happy with "upgraded" highers as DC was retaking 1 to get an A.

Some universities/courses increase the entry requirements over 2 sittings but not all do

@KrumPot thanks, it would include two ‘upgraded’ Highers.

Napier also has lots of courses which have college routes so your DC should check that out for her chosen course.
She could then apply to Edinburgh college as a plan B, with a view to moving to Napier the following year on successful completion of the college HNC

We’ve seen the course at Edinburgh College, but it’s really too far for us. Unless she moves out, but I don’t think it would be great for her to do that as I don’t think that the college has digs.

Edinburgh college has halls of residence

@KrumPot that’s interesting. Thank you!

In my experience (UCAS mentoring pupils) Napier is one of the more progressive in their approach to applicants. Contact them before she recourses - they might be more interested in a Film or Media qualification than English. Good luck for DD

@Lidlfix many thanks! I’ll get in touch. She has also got a level 6 film qualification (in addition to the Highers) so I’m hoping that may help.

She would like to go to Queen Margaret’s to do theatre and film, but they want AABB, which I’m not sure is realistic.

The level 6 NPA plus portfolio and discussion at interview was more important to them than Higher English grade for my pupil this year. 🤞🏻

@Lidlfix thats interesting. Was that for Film?

One of the Film and Media courses. Can't remember exactly which , sorry. Pupil wants to go into production/direction type careers. Was resitting Higher in S6 so felt huge pressure until interview where Napier staff were very reassuring.

@Lidlfix thank you! That’s so helpful and very interesting.

@theferry
Be cautious taking a Film degree. My DD's friend did film, got a 2:1 and has been really struggling job wise. Unable to get a graduate level job and she's in London.

@CheatingMenz I’m definitely aware of this, but she has her heart set on it. She wants to do the practical/producing side of things (as opposed to a film studies/humanities degree). This is why she’s only really got a few choices in Scotland.

Just thought I’d update this in case it helps anyone—both universities (Napier and Queen Margaret) have confirmed they take Highers that have been repeated. Napier accepts them within five years of sitting the exam.

does it count as the same higher or an additional higher though?

It would count as just one higher.

My son ended up doing it via Edinburgh college to HND then Napier for third year. The joys of the fall back option as he left school in 2020 and used his fall back option but loves it. I know he said people have come from other colleges on his course. So it's worth looking closer to home as a fall back option.

@Groovee thanks. I’m aware of the Edinburgh College route, but it’s too far for DD to travel.