The Scottish Baccalaureate is available to S6 students who are on track to achieve two Advanced Highers and one Higher by the end of sixth year. What makes it unique is the Interdisciplinary Project — an independent research project carried out alongside your qualifications, giving you the chance to develop skills valued by universities and employers alike.
JGHS offers three Baccalaureates: Science, Languages, and Social Subjects. Each combines a coherent group of Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications with the Interdisciplinary Project.
Science Baccalaureate
The Science Baccalaureate is for students who have achieved well in their Highers and are targeted to achieve 2 Advanced Highers and 1 Higher by the end of S6.
Entry Requirements
Your subject combination must include:
- A minimum of one Core Science: Biology, Physics, Chemistry or Environmental Science
- Either Mathematics or Statistics
- Either a second science from the list above, or one of the following Broadening Courses: Computing Science, Design and Manufacture, Engineering Science, Graphic Communication, Geography or Psychology
Language Baccalaureate
The Language Baccalaureate provides a challenging and rewarding experience for S6 candidates. It is based on studying three languages (which can include English) — two at Advanced Higher and one at Higher.
In addition to your language qualifications, you complete an Interdisciplinary Project. Students choose and research an area of their choice, working throughout the year to investigate and then presenting their findings at the end of the year. Past projects have looked at aspects of politics, business, sport, music and law, to name but a few.
The Language Baccalaureate enables pupils to develop a deeper understanding of the cultures and languages they are learning about, and encourages them to develop skills, attitudes and confidence that will help them make the transition into higher education or employment.
Social Subjects Baccalaureate
The Social Subjects Baccalaureate is designed to provide a challenging and rewarding experience for S6 learners. The award is based on a coherent group of subjects at Higher and Advanced Higher level, alongside the Interdisciplinary Project.
Entry Requirements
Your subject combination must include:
- 2 eligible courses at Advanced Higher level and 1 eligible course at Higher level
- One of the above courses must be English (or ESOL or Gàidhlig) or Mathematics (or Mathematics of Mechanics or Statistics)
- Two courses from: Geography, History, Modern Studies, Philosophy, Politics or Psychology
- Alternatively, one core course can be paired with a Broadening Course: Business Management or Environmental Science
Subjects currently offered at Advanced Higher level at James Gillespie’s are marked with an asterisk in the course choice booklet.
Assessment
Learners are expected to submit a folio of evidence for the Interdisciplinary Project, which includes a project proposal, project plan, presentation of project findings, evaluation of the project, and a self-evaluation of generic and cognitive skills development.
The assessor makes a holistic judgement of the learner’s achievements across the five pieces and grades the IP internally. The SQA verifies these judgements. There is no external assessment for this course.
The Interdisciplinary Project
The Interdisciplinary Project (IP) is an Advanced Higher Unit in which you apply your subject knowledge in realistic contexts. You carry out an investigation or practical assignment — likely involving working with a college, university, community organisation or workplace setting.
The IP will help you develop and show evidence of initiative, responsibility, and independent working — skills of real value in the world of higher education and work. The unit is graded A, B or C, and supports your applications to a variety of post-school destinations.
You will have weekly meetings with your assessor who provides guidance and feedback on your progress. You are strongly encouraged to make connections with academics to carry out primary research and to move beyond the school curriculum in your learning.
JGHS Pupil Projects
Here are two examples of Interdisciplinary Projects completed by JGHS pupils:
Energy Drinks Study
One pupil surveyed staff and students about energy drink consumption and found that nationally, 1 in 20 teenagers skip breakfast in favour of just an energy drink. They created an informational leaflet to raise awareness of the health implications.
Lyme Disease Research
Another pupil conducted field research on North Uist, consulting with locals and a veterinarian to investigate tick-related risks. They then created presentations and materials to inform the local community about Lyme disease prevention.
For more information about the Baccalaureate and whether it might be right for you, speak to your Pupil Support Leader or Curricular Leader, or refer to the S4 into S5 and S5 into S6 Course Choice and Pathways 2026/27 booklet available from the school office.