Results help

We're here to help you, no matter what your results are.

We also have information about further support and what your options might look like.

Access careers adviser support

Our Results Helpline is now closed and will reopen in August 2024.

​​​​​​​However, our careers advisers are here all year round to support you. You can talk to an adviser by either:

  • calling 0800 917 8000*
  • ​​​​​​​making an appointment to speak to an adviser face-to-face — you can do this by searching for your local centre.

British Sign Language users

BSL users can use Contact Scotland. You can use their app to sign with an interpreter who will make the phone call for you. 

*Our helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Our Results Helpline

When the Results Helpline reopens in August 2024, our advisers can help with: 

  • course vacancies at UK colleges and universities 
  • UCAS Confirmation and Clearing 
  • Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships  
  • jobs, volunteering and training options 
  • staying on at school 

Commonly asked questions about SQA results

Ruth Scott, who helps run the Results Helpline, answers some of the most common questions that come up about results. 

How are National 2 to Advanced Higher courses graded?

Courses at National 2, National 3, and National 4 levels are not graded — the units that make up the course are assessed as pass or fail.

Courses at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher are graded A to D. These courses are usually assessed by a combination of internally assessed units and an external (graded) assessment. External assessments are graded by SQA markers as either A, B, C or D, and this is the grade that will appear on your certificate on Results Day.

My results do not meet the conditions of my firm choice, but I have been accepted by my insurance choice. What happens now?

Congratulations, you have a place at uni! Your place at your insurance choice will be confirmed in your UCAS Hub. You should log in to your account to check your application status has updated. Here you'll find confirmation of the course you'll study, and it'll explain if there's anything else you need to do.

I've got my results but have not yet heard from my choices. What should I do?

If you did not meet the conditions, they may still be considering your application. Whether or not they can make you an offer will depend on whether there are remaining places and the performance of other applicants. Keep in mind that not all applicants get their results at the same time and the university or college may have to wait a few days to see if there are any spaces.

If you've met all the conditions, but still have not heard from them, check they’re not waiting for further details from you. For example, your exam certificates or health checks. Check your UCAS Hub for this information or try searching in the email account you used to register with UCAS.

If the university or college has everything they should need, contact them directly to find out what's happening.

I got the grades for my firm offer, but I want to change to my insurance choice. What should I do?

As soon as you were accepted by your 'firm choice', your 'insurance choice' would have been informed – this means that your insurance place will no longer be held for you.

First, you'll need to contact your insurance choice college or university to see if they can still offer you a place. If they agree to this, you should immediately contact your firm choice to tell them your plans. You must ask them to withdraw your offer so you can be entered into Clearing. Your insurance choice can then make you an offer through Clearing, which you can access in the UCAS Hub.. 

When making this decision, remember there are no guarantees. Once your firm offer has been cancelled, you cannot automatically go back to this. If you wish to explore what's out there before making any decisions, give us a call to chat things through with a careers adviser.

I did not meet the grades for my firm choice, but I do not want to go to my insurance choice. Can I apply elsewhere?

ou should contact your insurance choice university or college to discuss your situation. If they agree to withdraw your offer, you can then apply for another course through UCAS Clearing.

Always check the course you want to apply to is willing to offer you a place before speaking to your insurance choice. Once you withdraw your insurance choice, you cannot go back.

I did not meet the grades, but my university or college has not yet declined my place. What should I do?

Even if you did not meet the conditions, the university or college may still accept you or consider offering you a place on another course. Speak to them directly to discuss your options. You can also give us a call to explore what other options are out there.

I'm worried about my mental health at this time and I'm not sure what I should do next. What should I do?

It's understandable to feel anxious when plans change unexpectedly. If you're not feeling ready to make decisions right now - that's okay. It might help to talk to someone you trust and do some research into your next steps. Our team of advisers will listen and help you explore all your options so give us a call to have a chat. We've got lots of resources to support your wellbeing, which you can explore for tips and advice.

There are also lots of organisations offering support to young people who have received their results and are feeling like you are. Here's some links that might help you:

It's never nice to feel big emotions like these, but you don't need to feel them alone. Help is available for you. Even if your plans for this year need to change, there's still a world of opportunity for you to explore and many wonderful things ahead.

I don't think my results are a fair representation of my ability or performance. Can I appeal them?

Appeals 2023 is a free service that you can use if you have concerns about a grade on your results certificate. You can appeal directly to the SQA or ask your school to do this for you.  

The service will open on Results Day, Tuesday 8 August at 9am. The learner direct submission deadlines are:  

  • Tuesday 15 August at 11:59pm for priority appeals

  • Tuesday 29 August at 11:59pm for all other appeals 

Your appeal can be prioritised if you have a conditional place at university or college. You can also appeal if training or employment depends on your grade. 

Do I have options which are not college or uni?

Of course! There are so many ways to take that first step in your career. You could: 

  • do a Modern or Graduate Apprenticeship 

  • sign up for a training course 

  • spend time volunteering 

  • take a gap year 

  • do a combination of all these things  

Information on the different options open to you

My World of Work can help you explore your options if you're unsure about what you want to do next. 

illustrated characters round a table thinking of options

Discover what opportunities are out there

Find more than 30,000 jobs, courses, apprenticeships and volunteering options all in one place with the Opportunity Finder. The Young Person's Guarantee aims to connect every 16 to 24 year old in Scotland to an opportunity. 

Explore opportunities
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If you're not ready to make decisions — we're here to help

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious or worried, that's okay. If you're not ready to look at options right now, that's also okay. We have support and resources available for your wellbeing that you can access any time you need.

Access wellbeing support