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Results help

We're here to help you, no matter what your results are. You have options and you'll get the support you need from us to take your next steps. Find out about our career adviser support, Results Helpline and what you can do after you get your results. We also have information on the different options open to you.

Access career adviser support

Our Results Helpline is now closed and will reopen in August 2022.

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

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 phone line is open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Our Results Helpline

When the Results Helpline reopens in August 2022, our advisers can help with:

  • UCAS Confirmation
  • UCAS Clearing
  • giving information on apprenticeships
  • job help
  • giving information on volunteering
  • staying on at school

What's next after your results

Got your results and feeling a bit worried? Perhaps you did not get the grades you expected or maybe you're having second thoughts about your chosen course. We've got lots of resources and different options to help you with your next steps.

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SQA results day

Find out from SQA what happens on results day and how to find out your results if you did not receive a text or email with your results. 

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SQA appeals process

You can find out from SQA about the appeals process and how to request an appeal.

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UCAS after you get your results

UCAS have advice on what to do in different circumstances, depending on your exam results.

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SCQF levels

The level of the qualification is an indicator of its difficulty. You can find out more on the SCQF's website. 

Commonly asked questions about exam results

Our adviser Pauline Graham, 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. This year certification is based on the estimate grades supplied by your school or college.

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

Your place at your insurance choice will be confirmed and UCAS will send you a letter in the post. This letter will confirm the course you'll study and explain if there’s anything else you need to do.

I have not heard from my choices. What should I do?

If you have not met 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. Bear 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 have 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.

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

I've met 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.

Firstly, you'll need to contact your insurance choice college or university to see if they can still offer you a place on the course of your choice. Once they have agreed to this, you should contact your firm choice institution to advise them of your plans.  If your firm choice agrees to withdraw your offer, you'll be entered into Clearing where your insurance choice can then make you an offer. 

When making this decision, remember that 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, discuss your options with a careers adviser on the Results Helpline. 

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?

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 in Clearing.

Make sure to check the course you want to apply to is willing to offer you a place. 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 might still be prepared to accept you or may be considering whether to offer you a place on an alternative course. Speak to them directly to discuss your options.

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. 

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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