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The UK education system has a reputation for being the best. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recognises independent day schools and boarding schools in the UK as the best schools in the world. Many of the world’s top universities can be found in the UK, such as the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. Qualifications achieved in the UK are recognised and valued all over the world. They are overseen by government-appointed organisations and have to meet strict quality standards.
“In a world of life-long learning, British education is a first-class ticket for life”.
The Rt Hon Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE UK EDUCATION SYSTEM PLEASE FEEL TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US
Primary school Yrs 1-2 Key Stage 1
The first two years of state schooling in England and Wales are usually known as Key Stage 1 or year 1 and year 2, when students are aged between 5 and 7. In the UK state schools, Key Stage 1 is sometimes known as an ‘infant school’.
Primary School Yrs 3-6 Key Stage 2
The next four years of schooling in state schools are usually known as Key Stage 2 or year 3, year 4, year 5 and year 6, when pupils are aged between 7 and 11. In UK state schools, Key Stage 2 is normally taught in what is known as a ‘junior school’ or the second part of primary school.
Secondary School Yrs 7-9 Key Stage 3
The next three years of schooling in state schools are usually known as Key Stage 3 or year 7, year 8, and year 9 when pupils are aged between 11 and 14. In UK state schools, Key Stage 3 is normally taught in the first part of what is known as a ‘secondary school’, ‘upper school’ or ‘high school’.
Regardless of whether they attend a state school or independent school, at the end of this stage, students will choose the subjects that they will study at GCSE or IGCSE level. Different schools offer different subject choices however all student must study the core subjects of English, Maths and Science.
GCSE Yrs.10-11 Key Stage 4
The next two years of schooling in state schools are usually known as Key Stage 4 or year 10 and year 11 when pupils are aged between 14 and 16. During these years, students will study for and sit their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams. Once they have completed the GCSE course, students take General Certificate of Secondary Education exams. GCSEs form the final part of compulsory education though many students will choose to take A Levels or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB). Many senior and secondary schools offer year 12 and 13 courses although not all do.
A Levels
The final two years of many students state school life (before heading off to University) are A Levels. In state schools, this period of schooling is normally taught in the last stage of senior school. A Levels can also be taught in a sixth form college. At the end of their final A Level year all students take A Level exams.
A student may choose to stay at their senior or secondary school to take their and A Levels or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) if these options are available. If they’re not available, a student may go to a sixth form college. They may also change schools at this point for another reason, such as they have been offered an A Level scholarship or they want to have a new experience.
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a curriculum which is recognised as being equivalent to A Levels. It is a comprehensive programme of education for 16-19-year-old students which is challenging but very rewarding. The course offers a broader programme of study than A Levels, encouraging students to think independently and creatively.
Until recently in the UK it was only taught in a minority of independent schools but it is rapidly growing in popularity and is now taught in some state schools too. The International Baccalaureate (IB) course leads to a qualification called the International Baccalaureate Diploma, which is very well-respected by universities around the world.
Undergraduate Degree (Bachelors)
A bachelor’s degree is a higher education qualification such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), or Bachelor of Medicine (MB). The programme offers an in-depth course of academic study, leading to the thorough understanding of a single subject. Bachelor degrees take three years of full time study to complete. A sandwich course, which includes a year in industry or abroad, will take four years.
To study for a bachelor’s degree, you will need to meet the entrance requirements for the course that you choose to study. This usually includes good A-level (or equivalent) grades.
You should consider their future career aspirations when deciding on a degree course as some degrees such as medicine and law are essential for a particular career. Studying subjects such as English or History will equip you with a broad range of skills which would be advantageous to most non-vocational careers. Some students use their qualification to go on to a postgraduate course such as a master’s degree.
There are a number of courses to choose from and many factors to consider when choosing a course, such as career aspirations, location and cost. The Study Links team can advise anyone who needs help deciding which bachelor degree course is right for them.
Post-graduate Degree (Masters)
A master’s degree is a higher education qualification such as Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Business Administration (MBA). It can be research based, classroom based or a mixture of both. A master’s degree will take at least 12 months of full-time study to complete.
To study for a master’s degree, you will need to meet the entrance requirements for the course that you choose to study. This usually includes holding a bachelor’s degree.
Some master’s degrees are related to a specific profession whilst others, such as Master of Science (MSc), prepare students to study for a doctorate qualification.
There are a number of courses to choose from and many factors to consider when choosing a course such as career aspirations, location and cost. The Study Links team can advise anyone who needs help deciding which master’s degree course is right for them.
Doctorate (PhD)
A doctorate qualification is a higher education qualification such as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD or Dphil). A doctorate is completely research based and usually takes three or more years of full time study to complete.
To study for a doctorate, you will need to meet the entrance requirements for the course that you choose to study. This usually includes holding a masters degree and proposing an original piece of research in your chosen field.
The first and second years of a doctorate are usually the research and planning stage, with students writing their dissertation in their third year. Students work completely independently with guidance from a supervisor.
Due to the intensive nature of the course, usually only incredibly academic students undertake a Doctorate. The Study Links team can advise anyone who needs help deciding if a doctorate is right for them.
Primary School Yrs. 1-2
In some independent schools, the first part of schooling is taught what is known as a ‘primary school’. Children aged 2-4 are taught in nursery and reception classes. After this, they move into years 1 and 2 when they are normally 5-6 years of age. They can then stay at the same primary school for years 3-6.
Primary School – Yrs. 3-6
Children can stay in primary schools from reception (aged 2-4) up to year 6 when they are aged 10 or 11. Some parents think it is beneficial for their child to stay in one school for the duration of their early school life and so they prefer to choose the primary school system.
Pre-Prep school Yrs. 1-2
In independent schools, the first part of schooling is usually taught in what is called a pre-preparatory or ‘pre-prep’ school.
Children aged 2-4 are taught in nursery and reception classes. After this, they move into years 1 and 2 when they are normally 5-6 years of age.
Prep School – Yrs. 3-6 or 3-8
The next four to six years of schooling in independent schools are usually taught in what is called a preparatory or ‘prep’ school when pupils are aged between 7 and 12.
Prep schools prepare children to take common entrance examinations for entry into a senior or secondary senior or independent school. These exams are part of the admissions process for many independent senior or secondary schools.
Senior or Secondary Schools – Yrs. 7-9
The final years of independent school are usually taught in what is called a senior or secondary school. Some senior or secondary schools take students from year 7 or the age of 11, others from year 9 or the age of 13.
Regardless of whether they attend a state school or independent school, at the end of year 9 students will choose the subjects that they will study at GCSE or IGCSE level. Different schools offer different subject choices however all student must study the core subjects of English, Maths and Science.
GCSE/IGCE Yrs.10-11
Between the ages of 14 and 16, Yrs.10-11, students will study for and sit their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams or IGCESs. Developed by University of Cambridge International Examinations in 1985, International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is a curriculum recognised as being equivalent to GCSEs. The curriculum is based on the old GCE O-Level (the predecessor of the contemporary GCSEs) and is therefore believed by some to be more challenging. IGCSE’s are not taught in state schools in the UK.
Once they have completed the GCSE or IGCSE course, students take General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams. GCSEs or IGCSEs form the final part of compulsory education though the majority of students will choose to take A Levels or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB). Many senior and secondary schools offer year 12 and 13 courses although not all do.
A Levels
The final two years of many students school life (before heading off to University) are A Levels. In independent schools, this period of schooling is normally taught in the final part of what is usually called a senior school. They can also be taught in a sixth form college. At the end of their final A Level year all students take A Level exams.
A student may choose to stay at their senior or secondary school to take their and A Levels or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) if these options are available. If they’re not available, a student may go to a sixth form college. They may also change schools at this point for another reason, such as they have been offered an A-level scholarship or they want to have a new experience.
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a curriculum which is recognised as being equivalent to A Levels. It is a comprehensive programme of education for 16-19-year-old students which is challenging but very rewarding. The course offers a broader programme of study than A Levels, encouraging students to think independently and creatively.
Until recently in the UK it was only taught in a minority of independent schools but it is rapidly growing in popularity and is now taught in some state schools too. The International Baccalaureate (IB) course leads to a qualification called the International Baccalaureate Diploma, which is very well-respected by universities around the world.
A Level/ IB Foundation
A Level/ IB Foundation courses are designed for students who require extra skills or need to improve their English before progressing A Levels, International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or a University Foundation programme.
There are many different courses on offer and the length of course and subjects covered depend on which course you choose. The Study Links team can advise anyone who needs help deciding which course is right for them.
Short pre-sessional course
Short pre-sessional courses are designed to help students develop the language and academic skills needed to progress to a university foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate programme. Pre-sessional courses usually last for 3 to 20 weeks and focus on improving your academic English covering areas such as academic writing, note-taking and presentation skills.
A university will usually recommend a pre-sessional course as a condition of their offer. However, the Study Links team can advise anyone who would like more personal help.
University Foundation Course
Foundation Courses are an alternative to A-Level courses for international students looking to study at a UK university. Foundation Courses give less emphasis to end-of-year exam performance and more focus on course work. They are generally considered more manageable for students whose first language is not English.
The Study Links team can advise anyone who needs help deciding whether an A-Level or Foundation Course is right for them.
Language Course
English language courses help students to communicate confidently in English, focussing on all aspects of English language. Students will improve their speaking, listening, reading and written English. General English language programmes are suitable for students who wish to develop their general English language and communication skills as well as learning more about British life and culture.
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is the most internationally popular and well recognised English Language test for non-native English language speakers. Thousands of universities, employers and professional bodies around the world accept IELTS as evidence of English language proficiency. IELTS preparation courses are designed to prepare students to take their IELTS test rather than being a general English course. They include preparation and practice for all four IELTS modules – listening, speaking, reading and writing – as well as exam technique.
There are many different English language and IELTS courses on offer. The length and intensity of the course depends on which one you choose. The Study Links team can advise anyone who needs help deciding which English language course is right for them.