Higher Computing Science

The alternative certification model is how National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses will be resulted this year, following the cancellation of the 2021 exams. It involves five different stages.

View the alternative certification model and see what will happen at each stage.

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

• Higher Computing Science Course Specification
  October 2020

Higher Computing Science: Guidance on gathering key evidence in session 2020-21

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.

• Specimen coursework assessment task for Higher Computing Science
  October 2020
• Specimen coursework assessment task for Higher Computing Science
  October 2020
• Specimen coursework assessment task for Higher Computing Science (e-files)
  October 2020

• Guidance on conditions of assessment

Information on the production and submission of SQA-assessed coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

• Coursework for External Assessment (261 KB)

Please note: For session 2020-21 there will be no external assessment for this course. The materials below should therefore be viewed along with the National 5 to Advanced Higher Course information for 2020-21.

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

Course assessment overview

• Overview of Course Assessment Presentation with audio (10 minutes) (15.59 MB)

Changes to understanding standards materials

• Changes to published Understanding Standards materials for all subjects

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

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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

• 2017 Higher Computing Science Course Report
  October 2017
• 2019 Higher Computing Science Course Report September 2019
• 2018 Higher Computing Science Course Report September 2018
• Computing Science: Quality Assurance - external verification

Verification Reports

• Computing Science Verification Key Messages Round 2
  June 2017
• Computing Science Verification Key Messages Round 1
  March 2017
• 2019 Higher Computing Science Course Report
  September 2019
• 2018 Higher Computing Science Course Report
  September 2018
• Computing Science: Quality Assurance - external verification

Additional CPD support

Where any particular areas of concern are identified, which are not addressed by our Understanding Standards events or support materials, we will offer free continuing professional development (CPD) training, subject to request. CPD support is subject-specific and can be tailored to cover one or more qualification level. To find out more about this service visit our CPD page.

• Past exam questions for revised Higher Computing Science (223 KB)

The Web design and development exemplification in the course support notes can be used with reference to the following file:

• Higher Computing Science example website

The Database design and development exemplification in the course support notes can be used with reference to the following file:

• Hotel Bookings (67 KB)

Reference language

• Reference language for Computing Science (479 KB)
  September 2016
• Reference language for Computing Science (summary) (224 KB)
  September 2016