Attainment rises across the board

The number of passes achieved by students at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level, as well as in vocational and technical courses, has increased across Scotland this year.    

The poverty-related attainment gap has also narrowed at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level over the 2024-25 academic year, according to the results data published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.  

The number of passes in vocational and technical qualifications and awards, such as construction, hospitality and business, has reached a record high of 110,380 – this represents a year-on-year increase of 22.6% compared to 2024.   

The pass rate for National 5 and Highers is also up, when compared to both last year and the pre-pandemic set of results, back in 2019, while the total number of Higher entries passed the landmark 200,000 level for the first time since Curriculum for Excellence was introduced in 2010. 

Commenting, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: 

“Congratulations to all of Scotland’s school pupils, students and adult learners for all that they have achieved in their qualifications this year. These results are evidence of a strong recovery in Scotland’s schools, following the pandemic, with more passes at every level compared to last year. They are a testament to the hard work of learners, teachers and parents and carers.

“It is, furthermore, encouraging to see that the poverty-related attainment gap has narrowed at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels. While there is more to do, each success of every young person from the most disadvantaged areas creates a route out of poverty. These results also show the strength of Scotland’s vocational and technical qualifications, which play a key role in preparing so many young people for the future.

“I know that some young people will be disappointed with their results. I want to reassure them that there are a wide range of options and routes for success available, with support on hand throughout this week via the dedicated helpline run by Skills Development Scotland.

“Today is a chance for our young people to pause and reflect on the totality of their achievements this past academic year. I offer my sincere thanks to Scotland’s hard working teaching profession, who work to support them all, the parents and carers whose encouragement can be so instrumental to success, and to the young people themselves – well done."

Background   

Skills Development Scotland’s Results helpline is now taking calls for anyone that is unsure on the next steps, whether that is in work, training or further study.  

* This article was amended on 9 October 2025 to clarify that the figure of 110,380 relates to the number of passes in vocational and technical qualifications and awards achieved by students.

Coileanadh ag èirigh aig gach ìre

147,000 neach òg a’ faighinn an toraidhean SQA.

Tha an àireamh de phasan a fhuair sgoilearan aig ìre Nàiseanta 5, Àrd-ìre agus Àrd-ìre Adhartach – agus cuideachd ann an cùrsaichean dreuchdail agus teicnigeach – air fàs air feadh Alba a’ bhliadhna seo.  

Tha bèarn coileanaidh na bochdainn cuideachd air fàs nas lugha aig ìre Nàiseanta 5, Àrd-ìre agus Àrd-ìre Adhartach thairis air a’ bhliadhna acadaimigich 2024-25 – a rèir dàta nan toradh a chaidh fhoillseachadh le Ùghdarras Theisteanas na h-Alba.

Tha an àireamh de phasan ann an teisteanasan agus duaisean dreuchdail agus teicnigeach - leithid obair-togail, aoigheachd agus gnothachas – cuideachd air an ìre as motha a-riamh a ruighinn: 110,380. ’S e seo àrdachadh bliadhnail de 22.6% an taca ri 2024.

Tha an liuthad neach a fhuair pas airson ìre Nàiseanta 5 agus Àrd-ìrean cuideachd air èirigh – gach cuid an coimeas ri toraidhean na bliadhna an-uiridh agus na toraidhean mu dheireadh ro staing a’ Choròna-bhìorais ann an 2019. Chunnaicear cuideachd an àireamh uile gu lèir de chùrsaichean Àrd-ìre air an deach tòiseachadh a’ dol seachad air an t-slat-tomhais de 200,000 airson a’ chiad uair bho chaidh an Curraicealam airson Sàr-mhathas a chur an sàs ann an 2010.

A' beachdachadh air an seo, thuirt Rùnaire an Fhoghlaim Jenny NicGilleRuaidh:

“Meal a naidheachd don h-uile sgoilear, oileanach is neach-ionnsachaidh inbhich ann an Alba airson na tha iad air coileanadh anns na teisteanasan aca sa bhliadhna seo. Tha na toraidhean seo a’ cur am follais am piseach làidir a tha air tighinn ri sgoiltean na h-Alba às dèidh staing a’ Choròna-bhìorais is barrachd dhaoine a’ faighinn pas aig gach ìre an taca ris an-uiridh. ’S iad sin fianais air an obair chruaidh aig luchd-ionnsachaidh, tidsearan agus pàrantan is luchd-cùraim.

“A thuilleadh air an seo, ’s e adhbhar misneachd a tha ann gu bheil beàrn coileanaidh na bochdainn air fàs nas lugha aig ìre Nàiseanta 5, Àrd-ìre agus Àrd-ìre Adhartach. Tha fhathast barrachd againn ri dhèanamh a thaobh seo. Ach, gach trup a shoirbhicheas le duine òg às na sgìrean a tha a’ fulang as motha bho ana-cothrom tha slighe ùr air a cruthachadh gus cuidhteas fhaighinn air bochdainn. Tha na toraidhean seo cuideachd a’ sealltainn cho làidir ’s a tha teisteanasan dreuchdail agus teicnigeach na h-Alba is àite riatanach acasan ann a bhith ag ullachadh uimhir a dhaoine òga don àm ri teachd.

“Tha fios agam gum bi toraidhean cuid a dhaoine òga mar bhriseadh-dùil dhaibh. Tha mi airson gum bi fios aca gu bheil soirbheachadh ri lorg tro farsaingeachd de roghainnean is slighean agus gun urrainnear comhairle fhaighinn thairis air an t-seachdain seo tron loidhne-thaice shònraichte a tha air a ruith le Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba.

“’S e an latha an-diugh cothrom do dhaoine òga fois a ghabhail is meòrachadh air dè uile gu lèir a tha iad air coileanadh anns a’ bhliadhna acadaimigich a chaidh seachad. Gu dearbh tha mi a’ toirt fìor thaing do luchd-teagaisg dìcheallach na h-Alba, a bhios ag obair cho cruaidh gus taic a chur riutha uile, brosnachadh nam pàrantan agus an luchd-cùraim air a bheil an t-soirbheachadh seo cho tric a’ crochadh, agus don dhaoine òga iad fhèin – mealaibh ur naidheachd."

Cùl-fhiosrachadh

Tha an loidhne-thaice aig Leasachadh Sgilean Alba a-nis fosgailte do dhaoine sam bith a tha mì-chinnteach mun ath cheum aca, ge be an ann a thaobh obair, trèanadh no foghlam a bharrachd a tha seo.

* Chaidh an t-alt seo atharrachadh air 9 Dàmhair 2025 gus a dhèanamh nas soilleire gu bheil an àireamh de 110,380 a’ buntainn ris an liuthad pas a fhuair sgoilearan ann an teisteanasan agus duaisean dreuchdail agus teicnigeach.