Modern Studies study guides

A guide to the structure and assessment of SQA Advanced Higher Modern Studies: the three optional question paper sections, the 90-mark paper and the 50-mark project-dissertation, the skills assessed, how the course differs from Higher, and SCQF level 7.

A guide to the international issues section of SQA Advanced Higher Modern Studies: theories of international relations (realism, liberalism), power and the international system (sovereignty, soft power, globalisation), and analysing a contemporary international issue. One of the three optional question paper sections, paired with research methods.

A guide to the political issues section of SQA Advanced Higher Modern Studies: theories of power (pluralism, elitism, Marxism), democracy and participation, political ideologies, and the extended-response essay. One of the three optional question paper sections, paired with research methods.

A guide to research methods in SQA Advanced Higher Modern Studies: the research process, sampling, primary and secondary methods, reliability, validity and ethics, analysing and presenting data, and drawing conclusions. The skill spine that runs through the question paper and the project-dissertation.

A guide to the social issues section of SQA Advanced Higher Modern Studies: social inequality and its causes, theoretical perspectives (functionalism, conflict theory, feminism), and analysing a contemporary social issue. One of the three optional question paper sections, paired with research methods.

A guide to the SQA Advanced Higher Modern Studies project-dissertation: a 50-mark, independent 5,000-word research piece. Covers choosing a focused question, justifying a methodology, the critical use of evidence, building a sustained argument, and the appendices that evidence the research process.