Scottish School Year Group Names, Ages and Curriculum
- Nikki Miller
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
In Scotland, the school year starts at the end of August and ends at the end of June, which is earlier than in English schools. This means that half terms and other holidays are not always aligned with those in England.
Edinburgh state schools are open for 190 days per year, operating mostly from 8:50 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and all finish the week at midday on Friday, around 12:25 p.m.
Nursery School
All children are entitled to 1,140 hours of funded nursery or childcare per year (around 30 hours a week during term time). This provision continues from the term after your child turns 3 until they start school, or from 2 years old for parents receiving certain benefits. Nursery provision is not limited by catchment areas. A nursery may either be attached to a school or be independent, offering council-funded spaces.
*Defer Entry from Nursery to Primary School
In Scotland, if your child is aged 4 years or older after 29th February, they start school that August. Thus, children will be between 4.6 years and 5.6 years old, depending on their birthday, when they start Primary 1. All parents have the option to hold their pre-schooler back from starting school and receive an extra funded childcare or nursery place for another year if they will be 4 when starting Primary 1. This means these children will start school between the ages of 5.6 years and 6.6 years.
As a result, a Primary 1 class may consist of children aged between 4.6 and 6.6 years.
Primary School:
Dependant on when in the year a child's birthday falls, children will attend primary school for seven years, usually between the ages of five and 12. Lunch is free for every child from Nursery until the end of Primary 4, along with text books and items required for learning.
Approx Starting Age
Primary 1 (P1) – Age 5 *
Primary 2 (P12) – Age 6
Primary 3 (P3) – Age 7
Primary 4 (P4) – Age 8
Primary 5 (P5) – Age 9
Primary 6 (P6) – Age 10
Primary 7 (P7) – Age 11
Secondary School:
Depending on when in the year a child's birthday falls, children will attend secondary school for up to six years between the ages of 12 and 18. Secondary school years S1 to S4 are mandatory, while secondary years S5 and S6 are optional—children can choose to attend.
Approx Starting Age
Secondary 1 (S1) – Age 12
Secondary 2 (S2) – Age 13
Secondary 3 (S3) – Age 14
Secondary 4 (S4) – Age 15
Secondary 5 (S5) – Age 16
Secondary 6 (S6) – Age 17
The Scottish Curriculum and Exam System
In Scotland, the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is the national curriculum used from nursery school through to secondary school (ages 3 to 18). CfE comprises a broad general education up to the end of S3 (the third year of secondary school), followed by a senior phase of learning in the final three years of secondary school, culminating in exams. Children can leave school after S4, by which point they would typically have achieved Scottish National 4 or National 5 qualifications. Students generally need to stay on until S5 to take Higher exams and until the end of S6 to take Advanced Higher exams.
Approx Examination Starting Age
This information describes the Scottish education system and university entry requirements. :
Secondary School (Ages 15-18):
S4 (Age 15-16):Students typically take 4-8 National 4 (Nat 4) or National 5 (Nat 5) exams = GCSE
S5 (Age 16-17): Students typically take 3-5 Higher exams. Some may retake Nat 5s or take additional exams. = A'Level*
S6 (Age 17-18):Students typically take 1-3 Advanced Higher exams. Some may retake Highers or take additional exams. = A'Level*
Post-Secondary Options:
Further Education Colleges (Age 16+): Offer vocational courses and fast-track degree entry programs. Most are free.
Universities (Age 17+): Scottish universities typically require 4 Highers at specified grades (achieved by the end of S5 or S6) for entry. Many UK and international universities require 1-3 Advanced Highers. Scottish degrees are 4 years; English degrees are typically 3 years. Scottish students attend university in Scotland for free.
In short: Students progress through secondary school, taking increasingly challenging exams (Nat 4/5, Higher, Advanced Higher). They can then choose to attend further education college or university. University entry requirements vary based on the university and the country (Universities differ ).
*SCQF (Scottish qualification framework) = English Equivalent
SCQF Level 5
National 5 grades A to C are roughly equivalent to = GCSE grades 4 to 9.
SCQF Level 6
A Higher is roughly equivalent to = an A Level in England but the top grade worth a max 33 UCAS points
SCQF Level 7
An Advanced Higher is equivalent to = an A Level in England both with a top grade worth a max 56 UCAS points
Each university sets a minimum UCAS points score for admission. Successful applicants usual need to meet or exceed this score to be offered a place. Some applicants who have excelled on earlier examinations or school recommendations may be offered a place unconditionally (not required to meet the minimum points requirement).
