Questions and answers on your Qualifications Scotland results
We've got the answers to some of your questions we hear most often.
Grades and appeals
Find answers to your questions about the way results are graded and how to appeal.
Q. How are National 2 to Advanced Higher courses graded?
A: 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
- an external (graded) assessment
Qualifications Scotland markers will grade your external assessments as A, B, C or D. This is the grade that appears on your certificate on results day.
Q. I can’t see one/some of my results on my Qualifications Scotland certificate. Why not?
A: This happens when you haven’t achieved grades A, B, C or D in the external exam for those subjects. You’ll find more details on the Qualifications Scotland letter you got with your results certificate. If you need to chat through your results, or talk about what happens next, just give us a call.
Q. I don't think my results represent my ability or performance. Can I appeal them?
A: Qualifications Scotland Appeals is a free service that you can use if you have concerns about a grade on your results certificate. You can appeal directly to Qualifications Scotland or ask your school to do this for you. You can call Qualifications Scotland on 0345 279 1000.
The appeals service will open on results day, Tuesday 4 August at 9am. The submission deadlines are:
- Tuesday 11 August – the last day you, or your parent or carer, can ask for a priority appeal.
- Thursday 20 August – the last day your school, college or training provider can ask for a priority appeal for you.
- Tuesday 25 August – the last day you, or your parent or carer, can appeal.
- Friday 28 August – the last day your school, college or training provider can appeal for you.
Remember, 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.
Find out more at Qualifications Scotland Appeals
University and college
Find out what to do if you've applied for college or university, now that you've got your grades.
Q. My results don’t meet the conditions of my firm choice, but I've been accepted by my insurance choice. What happens now?
A: Congratulations, you're going to university! Your place at your insurance choice will be confirmed in your UCAS Hub.
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.
Q. I've got my results but have not yet heard from my choices. What should I do?
A: If you didn’t meet the conditions, they may still be considering your application. Making you an offer will depend on whether there are remaining places and how other applicants performed. Not everyone gets 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 haven’t heard from them, check they’re not waiting for further details from you. This might be 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.
Q. What’s Clearing?
Clearing is how universities and colleges fill any places they still have on their courses.
From 2 July to 19 October 2026, you can apply for a course using Clearing if:
- you’re not already holding an offer from a university or college
- the course still has places
You can usually apply directly on the university or college’s own websites. They may have Clearing days too, where you can come along and find out more.
Find out more about Clearing on the UCAS website.
Q. I got the grades for my firm offer, but I want to change to my insurance choice. What should I do?
A: As soon as you were accepted by your 'firm choice', your 'insurance choice' would've been informed and your offer from them withdrawn. This means that your insurance place will not 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 discuss your plans with them. You must ask them to withdraw your offer so you can be entered into Clearing.
When you selected your firm choice, you entered into a contract. So, you must ask them to release you from this before you can apply elsewhere. Your insurance choice can then make you an offer through Clearing, which you can access in the UCAS Hub.
Keep in mind, when making this decision, there are no guarantees. Once your firm offer has been cancelled, you cannot automatically go back to this.
Want to explore what's out there before making any decisions? Just call us to chat things through with a careers adviser.
Q. I didn't meet the grades for my firm choice, but I don't want to go to my insurance choice. Can I apply elsewhere?
A: You 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.
Q. I didn’t meet the grades, but my university or college hasn’t declined my place yet. What should I do?
A: Even if you didn't 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.
Support and further options
We're here to support you and help you explore your next steps.
Q. What support will I get when I call the Results Helpline?
A: Whatever your results, you can call the Results Helpline to explore your options. Our advisers can help with:
- course vacancies at colleges and universities
- UCAS Confirmation and Clearing
- Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships
- jobs, volunteering and training
- staying on at school
Feeling happy with your results? If so, remember to add them to My Profile – an area of My World of Work where you can showcase your goals, interests, hobbies and achievements.
Q. I'm worried about my mental health at this time. What should I do?
A: It's understandable to feel anxious when plans change. If you're not feeling ready to make decisions right now, that's OK. It might help to talk to someone you trust and do some research about your next steps.
Our team of advisers will listen and help you explore all your options, so call us to have a chat. We've got lots of resources to support your wellbeing, which you can explore for tips and advice. Our team can also help you to consider your strengths and work out what you’d like to check out next.
There are also lots of organisations offering support to young people who have received their results feel the same as you. Here are some links that might help you:
It's not easy 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 out there to explore. Many wonderful things lie ahead for you – we'd love to support you on that journey.
Q. Do I have options which are not college or university?
A: Definitely! There are so many ways to take this next 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
Call us if you'd like to chat through your options – we're here to help.
Q. How can I contact a careers adviser?
Our expert careers advisers are here for you all year round. You can chat to an adviser by:
- calling 0800 917 8000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
- speaking to a careers adviser at your school
- making a free phone appointment to speak to an adviser at a time that suits you – you just need to sign in or create an account. Note: You must be 16 or over.
- contacting your local careers centre
- calling Contact Scotland if you're a British Sign Language user
