Explains the structure of the course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.

Session 2026-27 onwards

• Higher Politics course specification June 2026

Session 2025-26

• Higher Politics course specification June 2020

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 Politics August 2019
• Resource Sheet for Higher Politics July 2018
• Resource Sheet for Higher Politics July 2018

• Guidance on conditions of assessment

Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries

• Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries

Further examples of candidate evidence and commentaries can be found on SQA's secure website and you can access these through your SQA co-ordinator.

Audio Presentation

• Overview - Presentation 1 (30.32 MB)
• Overview - Presentation 2 - Question Paper 1 (51.92 MB)
• Overview - Presentation 3 - Question Paper 2 (70.13 MB)
• Overview of course assessment (10 minutes) (14.60 MB)

Changes to Understanding Standards materials

• Changes to published Understanding Standards materials for all subjects

Please note: Understanding Standards material are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.

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 Politics course report October 2025
• 2024 Higher Politics course report October 2024
• 2023 Higher Politics course report September 2023

Politics: Quality Assurance - external verification

Verification Reports

• Politics Qualification Verification Summary Report April 2025
• Politics Qualification Verification Summary Report June 2023