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The Scottish Baccalaureate in Science

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The Scottish Baccalaureate in Science has been designed to provide a challenging and rewarding experience for candidates in fifth and sixth year of secondary school.

It is based on a coherent group of subjects at Higher and Advanced Higher level with the addition of the Interdisciplinary Project, which offers added breadth and value and helps to equip the candidate with the generic skills, attitudes and confidence necessary to make the transition into Higher Education and/or employment.

Baccalaureates News

Expansion of Scottish Baccalaureate Provision

SQA are proposing to expand the provision of the Scottish Baccalaureate to offer all pupils studying at Advanced Higher level the opportunity to choose a Baccalaureate in a suitable subject area. We are proposing to broaden the two existing awards and develop two new awards in Expressive Arts and Social Sciences. Click here to view the proposed frameworks and give feedback

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Mandatory Components

The Scottish Science Baccalaureate requires two, different eligible Science Courses, at least one of which must be at Advanced Higher level.

The mandatory components of the Science Baccalaureate are:

Scottish Science Baccalaureate mandatory components
Interdisciplinary Project Unit Advanced Higher SCQF level 7 (16 SCQF points)
2 eligible Courses Advanced Higher SCQF level 7 (64 SCQF points)
1 eligible Course Higher SCQF level 6 (24 SCQF points)

One of the above Courses must be Mathematics (or Applied Mathematics*) and this may be at Higher or Advanced Higher level.

The Interdisciplinary Project Unit will be graded A, B or C.

Entry

Candidates should be entered for both the Baccalaureate award and for the Interdisciplinary Project. The codes are as follows:

Science Baccalaureate

Baccalaureate award – G9CX 47

Interdisciplinary Project – F785 47

Criteria for award of Pass and Distinction

Criteria for award of Distinction

The Scottish Science Baccalaureate with Distinction will be awarded to candidates who achieve:

  • Grade A in one Advanced Higher eligible Course
  • Grade A in one other component
  • Grade B or above in all other components

Criteria for award of Pass

Candidates who achieve at least Grade C in all mandatory components and who do not meet the criteria for Distinction will be awarded a Pass in the Scottish Science Baccalaureate.

Eligible Courses

Candidates may choose two science courses, or one science course and one technology course from the following lists:

Science courses Technology courses
Biology* Building Construction
Biotechnology Computing*
Chemistry* Fabrication and Welding Engineering
Geology Graphic Communication*
Human Biology Information Systems*
Physics* Managing Environmental Resources
  Mechatronics
  Product Design*
  Technological Studies*

* Currently available at Advanced Higher level

SQA's course catalogue is kept under constant review. New courses may be added, or existing courses may be deleted or replaced

Approval and Quality Assurance

Further information on approval is available in our Approval and Quality Assurance section.

Arrangements

Arrangements document for the Scottish Baccalaureate in Science can be accessed by using the following link:

Unit Specification

National Unit Specifications for the Interdisciplinary Project can be accessed by using the link below.

Science Interdisciplinary Project National Unit Specification (62 KB)

Assessment Support Packs

Science ASP

The Scottish Baccalaureate in Science: Assessment Support Pack, Interdisciplinary Project (SCQF Level 7) (1.38 MB)

 The exemplars in Section 9 were written prior to the delivery of the Baccalaureate. You can now see real examples of candidates' Interdisciplinary Projects with External Verifier commentaries in the Exemplar section below.

 

Templates for Candidates and Assessors in Word format

Science ASP - Section 10: Templates for Candidates and Assessors (205 KB)

 

Assessment Exemplars

Baccalaureate in Science Examplars and Commentaries

Exemplar
 Commentary
Science Exemplar One (2.11 MB) EV Commentary One (210 KB)
Science Exemplar Two (1.98 MB) EV Commentary Two (209 KB)
Science Exemplar Three (1.60 MB) EV Commentary Three (210 KB)
   
Science Exemplar Five (2.10 MB) EV Commentary Five (210 KB)
Science Exemplar Six (2.10 MB) EV Commentary Six (212 KB)
Science Exemplar Seven (1.70 MB) EV Commentary Seven (210 KB)

Video Case Studies

Callum's experience

Charleston Academy

Gabriele's experience

Gareth's experience

Case Studies

Science

Models of delivery

Candidate Guide

Internal Assessment Reports