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 Qualifications Scotland assessed coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
- Coursework for External Assessment (261 KB)
Understanding Standards (11/03/2026)
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Further Understanding Standards materials for this subject can be found on Qualifications Scotlands secure website and you can access these through your Qualifications Scotlands co-ordinator.
Audio Discussions
We have created a series of audio discussions covering the Higher Photography course.
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