Highers: General Programme with Humanities

Location: Langside Campus
SCQF Level: 6
Start Date: 24 Aug 2026
Qualification Type: NQ
Course Type: Full-Time
Duration: 1 year (August to June)

Highers are your stepping stone to HND and college or university degree courses. You can study English, History and Religious Moral and Philosophical Studies (RMPS) at Langside campus. These subjects will equip you for a bright future in the Arts and Social Sciences as well as primary teaching.

What will I learn?

You'll study the following Highers:

Higher English
Higher History
Higher RMPS
Guidance tutorials to support you throughout your course

Higher English equips students with valuable skills applicable across various disciplines and in everyday life, fostering a greater appreciation for literature while providing the tools to articulate ideas effectively. Through the exploration of different texts, the course cultivates critical thinking, communication and literary appreciation whilst sharpening your analytical and writing skills. 

Higher History covers a vast range of topics including the Impact of the Great War, Britain and Ireland and the Cold War.

RMPS is fairly new to Glasgow Clyde College and our students achieved excellent results in the Higher last year, the first year we offered the subject, enabling student to broaden their progression pathways. As well as studying a world religion, you'll study philosophy including topics such as ‘Are miracles real’, ‘was the universe and life created’ and study moral issues such as 'war, and alternatives to war', 'weapons of mass destruction', 'organ donation' and end of life moral questions such as 'assisted dying'.

There may also be the opportunity to study National 5 Applications of Maths or Higher Maths instead of one of the Highers listed, but places are limited.

Entry requirements (minimum)

You should have a B grade or above in National 5 English, and two National 5s in any Social Science, essay-based subject such as History, Sociology, Psychology, Politics, RMPS, Philosophy, Modern Studies, or any other relevant subject
If you aim to study National 5 Maths you must have National 4 Maths

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications (SCQF) Framework can help you to check if you're choosing the right level of study. Take a look at the SCQF Interactive Framework here.

If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.

Jobs and further study

You may have the suitable entry requirements to apply directly to some university courses OR you could progress to the following courses at Glasgow Clyde College:

HND Social Sciences
HNC Healthcare Practice
HNC Childhood Practice
HNC Additional Support Needs
HND Travel and Tourism
HNC Occupational Therapy Support
HND Media and Communications
HND Practical Journalism
HNC Fitness, Health & Exercise (one higher)
HND Fitness, Health & Exercise (two highers)
HND Horticulture
HNC Landscape Management
HNC Administration and IT with PDA Medical Administration
HND Business
HNC Social Science
HNC Social Services
HNC Counselling (Counselling Practice: An Intro unit (HE1A 46) also required)
HNC Art and Design (with Higher Art and Design)
HNC Painting and Printmaking (with Higher Art and Design)
HND Contemporary Art Practice (with Higher Art and Design)

Take a look at the course progression map for national and higher courses.

Making an application

For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.

Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.

I've applied — what happens next?

When you apply
You'll receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).

Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will be:

Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional) and invited to book an information session
Or – invited to book an information session where we will discuss your application and either offer you a place on this course or another one in the college
Please note that you must attend an information session to confirm your offer where we will tell you more about the course and confirm your conditions and subject choices
Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.

If you are invited to , you'll be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:

Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.

Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.

Once you have accepted your offer, you'll be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date. This will normally be sent out in June / July.