The pandemic has disrupted much of the last year’s school education and has necessitated alternative arrangements for the assessment of National, Highers and Advanced Highers. This has been a very challenging time for pupils in the senior phase. SRUC wants to acknowledge and commend those learners for their resilience and commitment to their studies throughout a time of considerable academic pressure.
SRUC would like to provide some clarity to pupils, their families and support networks.
SRUC are confident that assessments will reflect pupils’ ability and potential. SRUC fully recognise the circumstances of the last year have made alternative assessment arrangements in schools a necessity. We are confident that teachers will reflect learners' ability and potential in their assessment and SRUC are comfortable using this process as the basis for entry in 2021/22.
Confirmation of places based on conditional offers cannot happen before results day. The assessment and certification process this year has created an unusual situation whereby school pupils will be advised of their grades, via their assessment centre, from as early as late May/June, several weeks before this grade is officially confirmed and published by SQA and other awarding bodies on results day on 10 August. SRUC need the verified grade for all offer holders. This means that during this interim period, SRUC are not able to confirm offers or otherwise act on unofficial grade information as provided by applicants or their schools. We recognise this will feel like a long wait and will be frustrating for some, but it is the only way SRUC can ensure fairness for everyone.
Our advice to those who are concerned they have not met the conditions of their offer. We recognise that this interim period will be particularly worrying for any applicants who thinks they have missed the terms of their conditional offer. Our advice to anyone in this situation is to use this time to research alternative options and speak to teachers, careers advisors for advice. We do not recommend that you take any further action, such as withdrawing your application, because you may still be eligible for a place. You will find this out once your results are confirmed on 10 August.
SRUC will endeavour to hold places for applicants appealing their grade(s). Some learners wishing to appeal their grade(s) may be holding a conditional offer for a place at SRUC that depends on the outcome of the appeal. SQA candidates can register for an appeal from 25 June and should do so by 12 August to get a priority appeal which SQA will process by 3 September, in time to meet the relevant UCAS advisory deadline. SRUC will endeavour to hold places for applicants making a priority appeal. Applicants should contact SRUC to inform us of the appeal as soon as you decide to submit and get further advice on your options. SQA have published guidance on their appeal process which has further information.
Information, advice and guidance is available. Whilst SRUC can’t confirm offers until results day on 10 August, SRUC’s admissions and marketing and student recruitment teams are available to give general information, advice and guidance to any applicant, as well as to those learners who are planning to apply to in the future and would like advice on, for example, subject choices.
Contact details are listed below for the Admissions and Student Recruitment Teams:
Admissions/Applicants holding offers - admissions@sruc.ac.uk
Student Recruitment/Course Enquiries - study@sruc.ac.uk