Higher History
Course Specification (28/05/2025)
Explains the structure of the course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.
- Higher History course specification May 2024
- Sònrachadh Cùrsa Àrd-Ìre Eachdraidh - An Cèitean 2025
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Access all past papers by subject/level
Additional question papers resources
Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes marking instructions).
- Higher British, European and World History specimen question paper August 2024
- Higher British, European and World History specimen question paper (gaelic medium) June 2025
- Higher Scottish History specimen question paper January 2025
- Higher Scottish History specimen question paper (gaelic medium) June 2025
2021
There were no exams in 2021. The 2020-21 question paper resources are, for most subjects, modified papers which reflect the modifications put in place for session 2020-21
Coursework (28/05/2024)
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.
- Coursework assessment task for Higher History July 2019
- Coursework assessment task for Higher History (Gaelic Translation) May 2024
- Resource sheet for Higher History Assignment September 2018
- Resource sheet for Higher History Assignment September 2018
- Resource sheet for Higher History Assignment (Gaelic translation) July 2018
- Resource sheet for Higher History Assignment (Gaelic translation) July 2018
Information on the production and submission of SQA-assessed coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
- Coursework for External Assessment (261 KB)
Understanding Standards (20/03/2025)
Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Webinars
Higher History question paper 25 February 2025 – Webinar recording
Higher History Assignment 15 January 2025 – Webinar recording
- Download (507.40 MB) (507.40 MB)
- Webinar Q and A January 2025
- Webinar Candidate Evidence
Higher History question paper 2 December 2024 – Webinar recording
- Download (507.40 MB) (507.40 MB)
- Webinar Q and A December 2024
Course assessment from session 2020-2021
Audio Presentation
Changes to Understanding Standards materials
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
Additional Resources session 2020-22
Further information can be found on the Understanding Standards Website.
Course reports (27/11/2024)
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
- 2024 Higher History course report November 2024
- 2023 Higher History course report September 2023
- 2022 Higher History course report September 2022
Verification Reports
Course support
Guidance on creating assessments for Higher (148 KB) August 2022