 |
Higher education system
|
|
|
|
UK Education System
The education system in the UK is divided into four main parts, primary education, secondary education, further education and higher education. Children in the UK have to legally attend primary and secondary education which runs from about 5 years old until the student is 16 years old.
The education system in the UK is also split into "key stages" which breaks down as follows:
• Key Stage 1: 5 to 7 years old
• Key Stage 2: 7 to 11 years old
• Key Stage 3: 11 to 14 years old
• Key Stage 4: 14 to 16 years old
Generally key stages 1 and 2 will be undertaken at primary school and at 11 years old a student will move onto secondary school and finish key stages 3 and 4.
Students are assessed at the end of each stage. The most important assessment occurs at age 16 when students pursue their GCSE's or General Certificate of Secondary Education. Once students complete their GCSE's they have the choice to go onto further education and then potential higher education, or finish school and go into the working world.
Our overview of the education system in the UK is divided into five main sections:
Primary Education
Primary education begins in the UK at age 5 and continues until age 11, comprising key stages one and two under the UK educational system.
From age 11 to 16, students will enter secondary school for key stages three and four and to start their move towards taking the GCSE's - learn more about secondary education in the UK and what it will involve. Primary and secondary education is mandatory in the UK; after age 16, education is optional.
Further Education
Once a student finishes secondary education they have the option to extend into further education to take their A-Levels, GNVQ's, BTEC's or other such qualifications. UK students planning to go to college or university must complete further education.
Higher Education
Probably the most important subject area on this site, this explains more about the higher education system in the UK and how it works for international students. Most international students will enter directly into the UK higher education system, after completing their home country’s equivalent to the UK’s “further education.”
Entry Requirements
Each level of education in the UK has varying requirements which must be satisfied in order to gain entry at that level - learn more about the education entry requirements for the UK.
SECONDARY EDUCATION SYSTEM
Secondary education in the UK normally starts for most students at the age of 11 years old. Though not common, in some parts of the UK there are middle schools which run up to 12 or 13 years old.
For international students coming into the UK for secondary education, it is common to either enter at the age of 11 or wait until the age of 13 and have one year in the school before starting the two-year GCSE program which will run from 14 to 16 years old.
|
|
|
From the age of 11-14, students will study a broad range of subjects such as Music, Maths, Sciences, English, etc. When you reach 14, you generally enter into your first year of a 2 year process known as your GCSE (or SCE for those who are in Scotland). GCSE's are a set of exams that test your knowledge and skill.
Most schools follow the same method when it comes to GCSE's and you will take the following core subjects:
• English
• Maths
• Sciences (either combined or separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
Students typically then select an additional 4 or 5 subjects in which to take GCSE's, and they can be subjects like French, German, Business Studies, Design and Technology, Music, Sports Science, Geography, History and many other options.
At state schools students typically take 5 to 10 GCSE's, depending on the student's ability and drive. For independent schools, which are usually a lot more results driven, it is not uncommon for students to take as many as 11 or 12, focusing more on academic subjects compared to the arts subjects.
GCSE's take a total of 2 years and mark the end of compulsory education for students in the UK. Once they have completed their GCSE's students then have the choice to either move into further education (with a view to higher education) or can leave school and look for work.
Please note that Scotland has a separate education system and does not conform to the above structure. Please learn more about the Scottish Education System.
FURTHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
When students reach the age of 16 and have completed their GCSE's they have a few options to choose from:
• Find work
• Academic Qualifications
• Vocational Qualifications
If students opt for carrying on with their education this will take two forms, either by pursuing further academic qualifications or by following a more vocational pathway.
Academic Qualifications
Most schools in the UK have what is called a "6th Form" for students to enter after they have taken their GCSE's. As an alternative, there are many "6th Form Colleges" that will offer the same courses from students at schools that do not have a 6th form. Here students typically study A-levels, further academic qualifications required of students before they enter higher education and a degree program.
A-levels, like GCSE's, follow a two-year program and there are two components to them, full A-levels and half AS-levels. Generally A-levels comprise of 6 modules, and an AS-level 3 modules.
Students will generally take between two to three A-levels, but depending on your academic ability and drive you may take more. Students at independent schools may take anywhere up to 5 A-levels.
The International Baccalaureate is also now offered by more schools in the UK as an alternative to A-levels.
Vocational Qualifications
For students who are not so academically minded, they still have the option to further their education by studying a vocational course that will provide them with a more hands on experience and education.
The most popular vocation programs include:
• BTEC Awards
• National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
• City and Guilds Qualification
• Apprenticeships
As most international students coming into the UK will be taking academic programs with the aim of gaining admittance to a degree program we will not provide that much information here but please see the links above to learn more.
|
|
|
HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
The UK has a vast variety of higher education opportunities to offer students with over 100 universities offering various degree programs for students from the UK and around the world. In the UK about one-third of all students go on to some form of higher education and this number is well over 50% for students from Scotland. This makes competition for places very fierce and so it is advised to apply early for courses.
In the UK most undergraduate degree programs take three years to finish; however, the “sandwich course” is increasing in popularity, which is four years and involves one year in the work place (normally in your third year). In Scotland the courses are four years in length for undergraduate programs.
For graduate or masters programs they are generally shorter in length and undertaken after graduation of your undergraduate program. Some professional degrees like medicine, veterinary, law etc. have longer programs that can be as much as five years.
From 2007, universities in the UK are allowed to charge students from the UK up to £3,070 per year (depending on the school and location). For students from the EU, you will also only have the pay the same fees as students from the UK, but international students from the rest of the world will have to pay the full school fees which will vary depending on the school. These fees for international students can range anywhere from £4,000 per year right up to £18,000 per year or more.
Choosing the right school is dependent on a large number of factors such as:
• Location of the school?
• How much does it cost?
• Size of the school?
• Access to home comforts? Place of worship, home foods?
• Courses available?
It can be a hard task working out which school is best for you, so start early, take your time and research as much as you can to help in your decision. You will also find the following resources useful in your search:
• UKCOSA - Advice for International Students
• List of UK Universities and Websites
• UCAS Application Website for the UK
ИСТОЧНИК:
http://www.internationalstudent.com/study_uk/education_system/
|
|
|
