Leaving for Uni after 5th year

So basically I want to get 5 A's in higher by the end of 5th year and apply to glasgow strathclyde and edinburgh. But I heard that you should stay for 6th year then go. Is there any real benefit to staying for 6th year if you've already met the entry requirements for year 1? And what would you even do in 6th year then? Thanks.

Reply 1

DevilRJ

Original post by randInt47

Hey Buddy

I don't think anything can hold you back if you meet the entry requirements and can therefore consider leaving after 5th year. With five As at Higher especially you're bound to get into the top universities in Scotland which you named and since your leaving at S5 it can seem that you are very competent for University and so are leaving early with As as you don't need to complete S6, this makes it seem like your confident and eager to join the university you're applying for.

I know that Glasgow and Edinburgh accept S5s as long as they meet the entry requirements and beat their completion. That is also the concern you may have, competition. Although you are likely competition with less S5 then S6 graduates, some students with all As at Higher and some advanced higher with consistent high grades are seen as a well-developed student and some universities recommend Advanced Highers just for your sake of coping and understanding theory a lot more easily and quickly.

However you do have a good chance of getting in, especially if you meet entry requirements at S5, as long as your statement is solid (and shows talents and passion for the subject), and your certain you'll meet the entry requirements at the end of S5. S6 starts right after exams so consider that you may miss initial work if you decided to leave S5 only to realise you didn't meet entry requirements, but that could also be fine as work at the start of the year is introductory and normally a lot more easier than throughout the year.

I also know someone who went to UoG after leaving school at S5, so it's very possible and desired even in some cases. Advanced Highers are designed to prepare for University, but that doesn't mean you need it to get into university, unless you want to go to an English Uni where they require A levels which is approximately AH.

Advanced Higher courses implement independence and time management, so it could be useful if you wanted to stay behind a year and grasp a higher education level as well as stay an extra year with friends and family, but at the same time going to uni and completing it a whole year earlier can get you into employment quickly if that's what you desire.

Best of luck in life and I hope my comment is useful
DevilRJ

Reply 2

DevilRJ

I am an AH student so I can assure you that you are preparing for University. But it also holds you back a year, unless you want to go to England.

Reply 3

DevilRJ

Original post by randInt47

Damn thanks for the response you put quite a bit of detail but I really do appreciate it, Yeah I'll prob try for after 5th year if I can achieve 5 A's and if not I guess doing AH doesn't seem to bad. Thanks