The Higher Grade examination is often referred to as 'Highers'. In general terms four Highers are regarded as equivalent to three A-levels. Passes in Highers are required for entry to higher education and professional training. The examination emphasizes the need for individual study and most subjects require a dissertation project and report. Ungraded results are not certificated.
Candidates normally take up to three CSYS subjects.
The IB is a two-year course for students normally aged between sixteen and nineteen. It is similar to the GCE A-level in that it is usually taken at the end of two years' study at about eighteen years of age. It is an international examination and was originally developed to suit the needs of children living overseas between the ages of sixteen and eighteen and attending international schools across the world. Most of these are independent schools, sixth-form or tertiary colleges or colleges of further education. Three of these subjects must be offered at the Higher level, roughly the standard of A-levels, and three at Subsidiary level.