Instructions for the submission of Advanced Higher English coursework (portfolio-writing and project dissertation)

Instructions for the submission of Advanced Higher

English coursework (portfolio–writing and project–

dissertation)

The Advanced Higher English portfolio–writing has been permanently reduced to one piece from

any genre. The 30% weighting is retained by doubling the mark for one piece. The advice on the

length of the piece of writing remains the same, with no specified word count, but it should be

appropriate to purpose and genre (poetry may be significantly shorter).

There are no changes to the project–dissertation. The dissertation will continue to be marked out of

30. The word count also remains the same and the dissertation must be between 2,500 and 3,500

words.

All conditions of assessment for both the Advanced Higher English portfolio and dissertation – as

outlined in the course specification – remain unchanged.

Instructions for teachers, lecturers and candidates

Advanced Higher English coursework is electronically marked. Electronic marking requires each

candidate’s portfolio and dissertation to be electronically scanned. To ensure complete accuracy in

the scanning process, candidates must use the SQA approved template to produce a physical copy

of their portfolio and dissertation for submission. The coursework template is available in both

Microsoft Word and Google Docs format and can be downloaded from the Advanced Higher English

webpage.

A physical copy of the candidate’s portfolio and dissertation should be submitted to SQA for

marking. The candidate’s portfolio and dissertation must be accompanied by the external

assessment flyleaf which will be distributed to centres in advance of the coursework uplift date.

Teachers and lecturers must ensure that all sections of the flyleaf (including the candidate welfare

and declaration sections) have been completed before submitting to SQA for marking. Candidates

must submit their portfolio to the chief invigilator on the day of the Advanced Higher English exam.

Dissertations will be uplifted from centres in the normal manner.

These instructions are valid from session 2023–24

Teachers, lecturers and candidates can download and/or print copies of the template as required.

We recommend that candidates type directly onto the template whilst drafting their portfolio and

dissertation. However, they can also copy and paste their writing from another file. The template

has a straightforward format and is set-up with a common font and font size – these may be altered

if required. Candidates may also print the template and handwrite their work directly onto it using

blue or black ink. A separate template must be used for both the portfolio and dissertation.

The candidate’s Scottish candidate number (SCN) and a page number must be included within the

foot of every page, using the boxes provided. These are for the purposes of identification. No other

personal information about the candidate for example, their name or the name of their centre should

be included within the body of either their portfolio or dissertation. This information must only be

captured within the flyleaf.

It is strongly recommended that portfolios and dissertations are printed double-sided, wherever

possible. Please use staples on the top left-hand corner, to collate pages. Please also ensure that

the candidate’s work is printed clearly (for example, no print leakage or bleeding) so that it is legible

on-screen.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] .