Positive gains across key areas as Dundee’s 2026 exam results revealed

Young people across Dundee are celebrating their achievements after receiving their 2026 exam results, with improvements recorded in Advanced Highers, Higher passes and several measures of wider attainment.

While results were mixed across different qualification levels, Dundee City Council schools recorded a particularly strong improvement at Advanced Higher, where the pass rate increased from 73.4% in 2025 to 75.7% this year.

The Higher pass rate also remained stable, edging upwards from 70.6% last year to 70.7% in 2026, an important measure for pupils hoping to progress into university and other forms of further and higher education.

National 5 results saw a slight decline, although figures also indicated progress in narrowing the attainment gap between male and female pupils at both National 5 and Higher level.

Vocational achievements continue to grow

Beyond traditional exams, Dundee’s results also highlighted the growing importance of vocational, technical and skills-based qualifications for the city’s young people.

The proportion of S4 pupils achieving five or more awards at SCQF Level 4 or above increased significantly, rising from 59% last year to 64% in 2026.

These wider qualifications can include National Progression Awards and Skills for Work courses, providing young people with opportunities to develop practical knowledge and experience across areas including construction, hospitality and digital media.

A total of 1,196 S4 pupils also achieved at least one award at SCQF Level 5, while further progress was recorded among Dundee’s oldest secondary pupils.

The proportion of S6 pupils achieving five or more awards at SCQF Level 6 or above increased from 21% to 23%, reflecting the increasingly diverse range of qualifications being achieved by young people before leaving school.

The trend mirrors developments across Scotland, where vocational, technical and skills-based qualifications have become an increasingly significant part of the education system alongside traditional National, Higher and Advanced Higher courses.

Opportunities beyond the classroom

For pupils considering their next steps, Dundee also offers a range of opportunities to continue their education without having to leave the city.

The University of Dundee recently ranked fourth in Scotland for overall student satisfaction in the 2026 National Student Survey and placed first in Scotland across ten subject areas, including Computer Science, Mathematics and Civil Engineering.

The city’s latest school results therefore paint a broader picture than exam pass rates alone, with more young people gaining qualifications through a mixture of academic, vocational and skills-based routes.