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Approved subjects for university entry

The following information will provide you with details of the SQA Higher and GCE A Level subjects accepted for general University entry purposes.

A small number of other subjects offered by relatively few applicants (especially in the areas of languages and mathematics) are also counted as approved subjects.

Not all of the subjects listed, however, may necessarily be accepted for entry to particular degree programmes or particular colleges.

Some subjects that do not appear on this list may still be accepted by the relevant College Admissions Office.

The University has a process of reviewing and approving subjects for entry but new subjects, in particular, may still be subject to formal approval.

If a subject you are taking or planning to take does not appear on the list below then you should seek clarification as to its acceptability from the relevant College Admissions Office.

Breadth of study

To ensure a reasonable breadth of study, you will be required to offer passes in a range of subjects.

Subjects of study in closely related areas or which contain a high proportion of common material (such as biology and human biology) will not normally be counted separately.

If you need advice on subjects not listed here, on the acceptability of any subject for particular degree courses, and on overlapping subjects please contact the relevant college admissions office.

Practical subjects

While all subjects in the list below meet the general requirements for entry, you should note that certain subjects with a high practical content may not be acceptable for entry to particular degree programmes.

For advice on the acceptability of particular subjects, or combinations of subjects, you are advised to contact the relevant college admissions office for guidance.

Approved subjects for University entrance

Approved subjects
SubjectHigherA Level
Accounting/Management Accounting/Principles of AccountsYY
AdministrationY
Agricultural ScienceY
Ancient (Greek and Roman) HistoryY
Ancient History and LiteratureY
Applied BusinessY
ArchaeologyY
Art/Art: Painting/Art with Art History*Y
Art and Crafts/Art and DesignYY
Art and Design (Historical and Critical)Y
Automotive EngineeringY
BiologyYY
BiotechnologyY
Human (and Social) BiologyYY
Social (and Environmental) BiologyY
BotanyY
(British) Government and Politics/Government and Political Studies/Politics and GovernmentY
Business Management/Business StudiesYY
CareY
Chemistry/Chemistry (Salters)YY
ChineseY
Citizenship Studies Y
Civil EngineeringY
Classical Civilisation (and Ancient History)Y
Classical History and CivilisationY
Classical StudiesYY
Communication StudiesYY
Computer Science/Computing Science/Computer Studies/Computing Studies/ComputingYY
Constitutional LawY
ConstructionY
Craft (Design and Practice)Y
Craft and DesignYY
Critical Thinking/Thinking SkillsY
DanceY
Design (and Technology)YY
Design and Technology: Communication/Technology Systems/DesignY
Drama (and Theatre Arts)YY
Early Years Care and EducationY
Economic and Political StudiesY
Economic and Public AffairsY
Economic Change and SocietyY
Economic GeographyY
Economic History/(British) Economic and Social HistoryY
EconomicsYY
Economics & Business Y
Electronics/Electronic SystemsYY
Electrical EngineeringY
Elements of Engineering DesignY
EngineeringYY
Engineering Drawing (and Design)/Technical DrawingY
Engineering Graphics (Applied)Y
Engineering ScienceY
English (and Communication)/English Language and LiteratureYY
English LanguageY
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)***Y
English LiteratureY
Environmental Science/StudiesY
Fashion and Textile TechnologyY
FrenchYY
Film StudiesY
Gaelic/GaidhligY
General Studies **Y
GeographyYY
Geography: Human/Natural EnvironmentY
Human/Physical GeographyY
GeologyYY
Geometrical and Building (Mechanical) DrawingY
GermanYY
Government and Politics/Political StudiesY
Graphic(al) CommunicationYY
Greek (Ancient or Modern)/Classical GreekYY
Greek Language with Greek HistoryY
Greek Literature with Greek HistoryY
Greek (Literature) and Classical CivilisationY
Greek Literature (in Translation)Y
Health and Food TechnologyYY
HebrewY
HistoryYY
History (and Appreciation) of Art/Art with Art HistoryY
Home EconomicsY
Horticultural ScienceY
Industrial StudiesY
Information Communication Technology (ICT)Y
Information SystemsY
IrishY
ItalianYY
Land Use (Built Environment)Y
LatinYY
Latin (Language) with Roman HistoryY
Latin (Literature) and Classical CivilisationY
LawY
Lifestyle and Consumer TechnologyY
Managing Environmental ResourcesY
MathematicsYY
Mathematics: Applied/and StatisticsY
Mathematics: MechanicsY
Mathematics: Pure/with Mechanics/and Statistics/with StatisticsY
Mathematics: Pure-and-AppliedY
Mathematics: StatisticsY
Further MathematicsY
Further Mathematics: Pure-and-Applied/Pure with MechanicsY
Mechanical EngineeringY
MechatronicsY
Media StudiesYY
Modern StudiesY
Music/Music (Theoretical)YY
Music TechnologyY
NorwegianY
Performance StudiesY
PhilosophyYY
Physical EducationYY
Physics YY
Physics B - Advancing Physics Y
Physics and MathematicsY
Political Studies/Politics and Government/PoliticsYY
PortugueseY
Product DesignY
PsychologyYY
Public AffairsY
RussianYY
Religious Education/StudiesY
Religious, Moral and Philosophical StudiesY
Science (Double)Y
Science (Studies)Y
Science in SocietyY
Science, Technology and SocietyY
Social (and Environmental) BiologyY
SociologyYY
SpanishYY
Sport and Physical EducationY
Statistics/Applied StatisticsY
Technical Design and Graphic CommunicationY
Technical Drawing/GraphicsY
Technological Studies/TechnologyYY
Theatre StudiesY
Theology (Christian)Y
WelshY
ZoologyY

Key

* Applicants are requested to provide the full title of their Art A-levels as certain syllabuses may not be accepted for entry to all courses.

** Accepted as an approved subject only by the Schools of Divinity and Education (under review).

*** Except for MA English or Scottish Literature single and joint honours.

Higher: SQA Higher Grade/Advanced Higher

A Level: GCE Advanced Level


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