Higher Photography
Course Specification (24/09/2025)
Explains the structure of the course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.
- Higher Photography course specification September 2025
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Access all past papers by subject/level
Additional question papers resources
Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes marking instructions).
- Higher Photography Specimen Question Paper August 2023
2021
There were no exams in 2021. The 2020-21 question paper resources are, for most subjects, modified papers which reflect the modifications put in place for session 2020-21
Coursework (24/09/2025)
This section provides information on marking instructions and/or the coursework assessment task(s). It includes information that centres need to administer coursework and must be read in conjunction with the course specification.
- Coursework assessment task for Higher Photography September 2025
- Higher Photography submission guidance October 2023
Information on the production and submission of SQA-assessed coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
- Coursework for External Assessment (261 KB)
Understanding Standards (20/12/2023)
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Further Understanding Standards materials for this subject can be found on SQA’s secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.
Audio Presentation
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Overview of course assessment (8 minutes) (8.91 MB)
Changes to Understanding Standards materials
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
Course reports (11/09/2025)
Provides information on the performance of candidates - which is useful to teachers, lecturers and assessors in their preparation of candidates for future assessment.
Course Reports
- 2025 Higher Photography course report September 2025
- 2024 Higher Photography course report September 2024
- 2023 Higher Photography course report October 2023
Photography resources
These videos have been created to help support teachers, lecturers and candidates with their understanding of basic camera concepts.
- Photography basics: Lenses
- Photography Basics: an Overview of Focus
- Photography Basics: Exposure
- Photography Basics: Shutter speed
- Photography Basics: Aperture
- Photography Basics: ISO
- Photography Basics: Outdoor Portrait
- Photography Basics: Studio Still Life
- Photography Basics: White Balance
- Photography Basics: Composition
- Photography Basics: Properties of light
- Photography Basics: Image Quality