S2 & S4 Subject Choices

This web page is designed to give you information about the ways in which your choice of Standard Grades, Intermediate 2's, Highers and Advanced Highers will affect the courses which you will be able to study at the University of Dundee. Please remember that we do not know you personally and have no idea how good you are at your subjects.

We can only tell you which subjects you need to take and suggest that you check with your teachers to make sure that you choose subjects you can cope with. For some of you, this may mean that you will need to think again about the type of career you would like to follow, but it is better and easier to do this now than later on.

Are there any subjects which I must have before I can study anything at the University of Dundee?

Yes. You should have a 1, 2 or 3 in Standard Grade English. But, if you don't, an alternative is to take the SQA National Certificate Module Communications 3 in your fifth year or an Intermediate 2 in English. Many of our courses also require Standard Grade Mathematics or Intermediate 2 Mathematics and we strongly recommend that you should have that as well.

Can I get into the University with just my Standard Grades or Intermediates?

No. For all our courses you will need to take additional qualifications. The minimum qualifications are Highers.

What qualifications should I take after my Standard Grades if I want to get into the University?

Highers and /or Advanced Highers offer the most direct route into our courses and it is important to choose Standard Grades or Intermediate 2's which will lead onto the Highers and Advanced Highers you need to get into the course you want.

It is possible, for many areas, to gain entry by taking a suitable HNC or HND or Access course. These routes may mean that you will start your university course one or two years later than if you had taken Highers or Advanced Highers, but you may be able to miss out one or two years of your university course.

How many Highers will I need to take?

At present, most degree courses ask for four Highers although some only ask for three.

Law and Accountancy normally require four or five Highers. Students who take their Highers over two years will normally find the entrance requirements will be higher than for those who gain the necessary grades in fifth year. We normally look for five Highers in your fifth year for our courses in Medicine and Dentistry.

It is also possible for very well qualified school leavers to apply for direct entry to second year of some of our courses. In some cases excellent Highers are sufficient, in others two or three passes in Advanced Highers are needed to include specific grades. Full details are given in the current Undergraduate Prospectus.

Are there any particular subjects which I must take?

Obviously it makes sense to take a Higher or Advanced Higher in the subject you wish to study at university. However, many courses studied at university are not available at school. It therefore depends on the course for which you are applying. For example:

• Medicine -You must have Chemistry and another Science at Higher Grade and you should have Standard Grade Biology or Intermediate 2 Biology.
• Dentistry - You must have Chemistry and two other sciences from Biology, Physics or Mathematics at Higher Grade and you should have Standard Grade Mathematics or Intermediate 2 Mathematics. The remaining named science at Higher must be passed at Standard Grade or Intermediate 2.
• Sciences - To study most sciences at the University you will normally need two sciences at Higher (from (Human) Biology, Chemistry, Computing Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics and Physics). For entry to all science courses in the University a Grade 1, 2 or 3 in Mathematics at Standard Grade or alternatively a pass at Intermediate 2 is required.
• Engineering and Physics - You must have Higher Mathematics for Engineering and Physics courses. Plus one other relevant subject from Physics, Electronics, Design and Technology or Technological Studies.
• Mathematics - You must have Higher Mathematics.
• English - You must have Higher English.
• Primary Education - You must have Mathematics at Standard Grade Credit Level 1 or 2 or Intermediate 2. Higher English is also a requirement.
• Law - You must have Standard Grade or Intermediate 2 Mathematics or a Science. There are no specific subject requirements at Higher Grade.
• Accountancy and Finance - Higher English and Mathematics are preferred, but the minimum requirement is Standard Grade at 1 or 2 or Intermediate 2.
• Architecture - You must have Standard Grade or Intermediate 2 Mathematics or Physics. There are no specific subject requirements at Higher Grade, though you may stand a better chance of gaining a place if you take Art & Design.
• Fine Art and Design - You normally need Art & Design or Craft & Design and English at Higher Grade. For Interior & Environmental Design Standard Grade or Intermediate 2 Mathematics is required.

For all other courses there are no specific subject requirements. Please remember that you must have Standard Grade English or Intermediate 2 or equivalent to study anything at the University of Dundee.

Please note: that entrance requirements change. We therefore strongly recommend that you consult an up-to-date copy of the University prospectus for the specific requirements for each course. The Library or Careers Library in your school should have a copy or you can obtain one by completing the online form.