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The Scottish Baccalaureate in Social Sciences

Geography class

The Scottish Baccalaureate in Social Sciences 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

Scottish Baccalaureate Entries

Candidate entries for the Scottish Baccalaureates should be submitted to SQA by 9 November 2012

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Mandatory Components

The Scottish Baccalaureate in Social Sciences requires two, different eligible social science Courses, at least one of which must be at Advanced Higher level.

The mandatory components of the Baccalaureate are:

Language 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 English (or ESOL or Gàidhlig*) or Mathematics (or Applied Mathematics) and this may be at Higher or Advanced Higher level.

Components do not have to be completed in the same academic year, for example a Higher course completed in S5 can contribute.

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:

Social Sciences Baccalaureate

Baccalaureate award – GE9W 47

Interdisciplinary Project – H186 47

Criteria for award of Pass and Distinction

Criteria for award of Distinction

The Scottish Baccalaureate in Social Sciences with Distinction will be awarded to candidates who achieve:

  • Grade A in one Advanced Higher eligible Course
  • Grade A in any 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 Baccalaureate in Social Sciences.

Approval and Quality Assurance

Further information on approval is available in our Approval and Quality Assurancea> section

Eligible Courses in the Social Sciences Framework

Candidates may choose two core courses, or one core course and one broadening course from the following lists:

Core Courses

Broadening Courses
Classic Studies* Accounting*
Economics* Business Management*
Geography*  
History*  
Modern Studies*  
Philosophy  
Politics  
Psychology  
Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies*  
Sociology  

* 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

Arrangements

Unit Specification

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

Assessment Support Packs

Social Sciences ASP

Section 10 - Templates for Candidates and Assessors in Word format

Video Case Studies

We have a variety of video case studies, although originally produced to support Science and Languages these are also relevant to Social Sciences. In particular the Baccalaureates Overview. Models of Working, Learner and Teachers Views and Support for Teachers.

Case Studies

2011 Case Studies

Models of delivery

Candidate Guide

Assessment Exemplars

Baccalaureate in Social Sciences Exemplars and Commentaries

Exemplar Commentary
Social Sciences Exemplar 1 - Grade A (270 KB) EV Commentary One Grade A (214 KB)
Social Sciences Exemplar 1 - Grade C (249 KB) EV Commentary One Grade C (214 KB)
Social Sciences Exemplar 2 - Grade A (460 KB) EV Commentary Two Grade A (218 KB)
Social Sciences Exemplar 2 - Grade C (262 KB) EV Commentary Two Grade C (216 KB)