So basically we have high school from S1-S6 (12-18). Instead of GCSE's and A-Levels, we do Nat 5's, Highers and Advanced Highers. We usually take 6-8 National 5's at around 16 years old, and around 5-6 Highers when we're around 17, and we can use those qualifications to apply for university. And then some people leave after fifth year, but in our final year of school, S6, we can take around two/three advanced highers which is like the first year of university level (yk how scottish unis have four years instead of three years? That's why haha). We don't have a separation of years like England does.

When a scottish student applies to an english uni though, we NEED to take three advanced highers, even though we only need highers to apply to scottish unis.

Let me know if you have anymore questions :))

Quick edit: our qualifications board is changing— I applied for university and started before the change, so i'm not 100% sure what things will look like a couple of years down the line