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Clearing in Scotland

Scottish results come out on Tuesday 10 August 2027, two days before A level results. Clearing works the same way in Scotland, but places for students paying the Scottish fee rate are limited because the number of funded places is capped.

Checked against official sources on 25 September 2026.

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Results day and timings

• Results day: Tuesday 10 August 2027. SQA is now called Qualifications Scotland. Its website is qualifications.gov.scot, though some pages are still on sqa.org.uk.
• UCAS timings in 2026: Hub statuses updated from 09:00, and Clearing choices could be added from 10:00 on Scottish results day.
• Embargo: for about a week before results day, universities do not make Clearing decisions.

Scottish results reach UCAS and universities directly, so check your Hub on the morning.

Why Clearing places can be scarce for Scottish students

Scottish students studying in Scotland have their tuition fee paid by SAAS. The Scottish Funding Council caps the number of these funded places to keep SAAS budgets affordable, and it reduced controlled places for 2026-27. When a university has filled them, it cannot offer more Scottish-fee places in Clearing, even if the course has space for students from elsewhere.

For example, in August 2026 the University of Edinburgh said: “We have no Clearing vacancies available for students with the tuition fee status of ‘Scotland fee rate’.” Always check whether a university’s Clearing list is open to Scottish-fee students.

Your options

• Scottish universities and colleges with Scottish-fee vacancies. Check each Clearing page and phone.
• Universities in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Many accept Highers and Advanced Highers. You would pay that university’s fees: English universities can charge up to £10,050 a year for 2027-28, and fees in Wales and Northern Ireland are set separately. SAAS can offer a tuition fee loan; check with SAAS. See fees by UK nation.
• HNC or HND at college, which can lead into the second or third year of some degrees.
• Reapplying next year with your results.

Priority appeals

Qualifications Scotland runs a free appeals service. It can prioritise your appeal if you have a conditional university offer that depends on the grade. In 2026 the deadlines were:

• 11 August: last day for you (or a parent or carer) to ask for a priority appeal;
• 20 August: last day for your school or college to ask for one;
• 31 August: priority appeal decisions sent.

The 2027 dates are not published yet. A grade can go up, stay the same or go down. If it changes, the result is sent to UCAS. Ask your firm choice whether it will hold your place meanwhile. See reviews and appeals.

Students from elsewhere coming to Scotland

Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland are not affected by the Scottish funded-places cap, and can find Clearing places at Scottish universities. Scottish degrees usually last four years. Scottish universities set their own fees for students from the rest of the UK, so check each university’s 2027-28 fee. International students pay international fees.

Student finance

SAAS says you do not need to wait for results or an unconditional offer: apply with your first choice and change your course in your SAAS account if you move through Clearing.

Sources

• Qualifications Scotland: exam timetable and results day 2027
• Qualifications Scotland: results day support
• Qualifications Scotland: results and appeals 2026
• UCAS: get results day ready
• Scottish Funding Council: university funding allocations 2026-27
• University of Edinburgh: Clearing for applicants from Scotland
• SAAS: Student Awards Agency Scotland