The effect of Advanced Higher Mathematics on success within STEM degree-programs

To gain access to higher education degree programmes, Scottish domiciled students must obtain the relevant grades in Scottish Higher qualifications typically achieved in either of the final two years of secondary school (S5 and S6). However, for admission to some of the most competitive degree programmes at higher education institutions in the UK, Advanced Highers are sometimes required or recommended. However, there exists little published literature on the effect of Advanced Higher on students’ chances of success in higher education. This is relevant given that Advanced Highers are not compulsory and may not be available to every Scottish learner. This study fits Modified Poisson regression models to 10 years’ worth of student registration records at a single Scottish higher education institution. Results indicated that students on Mathematics and Statistics programmes and had an Advanced Higher in Mathematics were 36.1% more likely to progress at the end of their first year and 57.3% to complete their degree within four years, compared to their peers with just Higher Mathematics. For other Science and Engineering programmes, there was a significant interaction between having a Higher/Advanced Higher Mathematics qualification and whether or not it was recommended. Given these results, if access to Advanced Highers is found to be associated with socio-economic background, then this could undermine Scotland’s Widening Access agenda.