Guides · 2027 entry · Computing
Do you need Higher Maths for Computer Science in Scotland?
Last checked against the official pages on
Not everywhere. Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews want Higher Maths at A, and Heriot-Watt and Strathclyde want it at B. Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling, Robert Gordon, Edinburgh Napier, Abertay and UWS all have a Computer Science degree you can start without Higher Maths.
People tend to assume Computer Science is basically a maths degree with a laptop, so no Higher Maths means no chance. That’s true at some universities and not at others, and the split is bigger than you’d think.
The universities that want Higher Maths
These are the main single-honours Computer Science (or Computing Science) degrees, with what each university’s own course page says for 2027 entry.
| University | Higher Maths | Standard offer | Widening access offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | A | AAAAA (by end of S5 preferred) | AABB by end of S6 |
| St Andrews | A | AAAAB | AABB |
| Glasgow | A | AAABB in S5 gets you considered, offers usually come in S6 | ABBB or AABB, depending on the route |
| Strathclyde | B | AAAB in S5, or AABBB in S6 | ABBB in S5, or BBBBB in S6 |
| Heriot-Watt | B | ABBB | BBBC |
A couple of catches worth knowing. Edinburgh wants your Higher Maths to be no more than two academic years old when you start. St Andrews also wants a pass in a science-type Higher on top of Maths. That can be Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science, Geography, Physics or Psychology.
The universities that don’t
| University | What they ask for instead | Standard offer | Widening access offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | Higher Maths or two science Highers, plus National 5 Maths and English at C | BBBB | BBC |
| Dundee | A STEM or technical subject at Higher | BBBB | BBCC |
| Stirling | No specific subjects | ABBB | Up to two grades lower |
| Robert Gordon | National 5 Maths and English at C if you don’t have them at Higher | BBCC | CCCC |
| Edinburgh Napier | National 5 Maths or Applications of Maths at C | BBBB | BBCC |
| Abertay | A technical Higher at C, which can be Maths, Computing Science, Physics, a Biology, Chemistry, Engineering Science or Geography | BBBB | Lower offers available |
| UWS | Maths, Applications of Maths or Computing Science at Higher | BCCC | CCC |
“Doesn’t need Higher Maths to get in” isn’t the same as “has no maths in it”. Every one of these degrees has maths in first year, discrete maths and logic mostly. The universities that skip the Higher requirement teach you what you need, but you’ll still be doing it.
What about Applications of Maths?
This is where people get caught out. Where a university makes Higher Maths compulsory, Applications of Maths usually doesn’t count. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Heriot-Watt all say so in writing. UWS is the one that names Higher Applications of Maths as an option.
National 5 is more relaxed. Edinburgh Napier takes National 5 Applications of Maths in place of Maths. Abertay doesn’t, and Strathclyde only accepts it in its humanities and business faculties, not for Computer Science.
So what should you actually do?
If you’re in S5 and deciding whether to take Higher Maths, and computing is even a maybe, take it. It keeps Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews, Strathclyde and Heriot-Watt open, and none of the others count it against you.
If you’ve already got your results and Maths didn’t happen, you’ve still got proper options. Aberdeen, Dundee and Stirling are old, well-known universities with Computer Science degrees that don’t need Higher Maths. You could also resit Maths in S6 or at college and keep the rest open for the year after.
One thing to check yourself: this covers the main Computer Science degree at each university. Joint degrees like Maths and Computer Science, and specialist ones like Artificial Intelligence or Data Science, often ask for more.
Quick questions
Is Higher Applications of Maths accepted instead of Higher Maths for Computer Science?
Usually not where Higher Maths is a requirement. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Heriot-Watt all say in writing that Higher Applications of Maths doesn't replace Higher Maths. UWS is the one that names Applications of Maths as an option for its Computing Science degree.
What's the lowest offer for Computer Science at a Scottish university?
Of the courses checked here, UWS Computing Science has a standard offer of BCCC, and Robert Gordon's BSc Computer Science asks for BBCC. Widening access offers go lower, for example CCCC at Robert Gordon and CCC at UWS.
Do I need Higher Computing Science to study Computer Science?
No university checked here makes Higher Computing Science compulsory for first-year entry. Strathclyde recommends it, and a few universities count it as one of the science or technical subjects they ask for.
Can I do Computer Science at Edinburgh without Higher Maths?
No. Edinburgh wants Higher Maths at A, taken no more than two academic years before you start, and it doesn't accept Higher Applications of Maths instead.
Got your grades already?
The calculator takes your actual Highers and shows every course they get you into across 10 Scottish universities, computing included.
Where this comes from
- University of Edinburgh, Computer Science BSc
- University of Glasgow, Computing Science
- University of Glasgow, entry requirements guidance (Applications of Maths)
- University of St Andrews, Computer Science BSc
- Heriot-Watt University, Computer Science BSc
- Heriot-Watt University, school qualifications (Applications of Maths)
- University of Strathclyde, Computer Science BSc
- University of Aberdeen, Computing Science (G400)
- University of Dundee, Computer Science entry requirements
- University of Stirling, Computing Science
- Robert Gordon University, BSc Computer Science
- Edinburgh Napier University, Computer Science
- Abertay University, Computer Science
- University of the West of Scotland, Computing Science
Universities change their requirements every year. If something here doesn't match the official page, the official page wins, and I'd like to know: tell me.