Do You Want to Study in the UK? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About the UK Education System

The education system in the United Kingdom is separated into four major parts: basic education, secondary education, further education, and higher education. Children in the United Kingdom are legally required to attend primary and secondary school, which lasts from the age of five to sixteen.

The education system in the UK is also divided into “key stages,” which break 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

In general, key stages 1 and 2 will be completed at primary school, and when a pupil reaches the age of 11, they will move on to secondary school to complete key stages 3 and 4.

Students are evaluated at the conclusion of each stage. The most critical examination happens at age 16, when students take their GCSEs, or General Certificate of Secondary Education. Once pupils have completed their GCSEs, they have the option of continuing their education and potentially pursuing higher education, or finishing school and entering the workforce.

Our review of the educational system in the UK is organized into five major sections:

1. Primary Education

Primary education in the United Kingdom begins at the age of five and lasts until the age of eleven, and it includes key stages one and two of the UK educational system. For further information on primary education, please visit the British Council’s page.

2. Secondary Education

In the UK, secondary education typically begins at age 11. Middle schools, albeit uncommon, exist in various places of the United Kingdom for students aged 12 or 13.

International students entering the UK for secondary education typically enter at the age of 11 or wait until the age of 13 and complete one year of school before beginning the two-year GCSE curriculum, which runs from 14 to 16 years old.

From the ages of 11 to 14, children will study a variety of disciplines such as music, math, science, and English. When pupils reach 14, they normally begin the first year of a two-year procedure known as GCSE (or SCE in Scotland). GCSEs are a series of examinations that assess your knowledge.

Students generally choose an additional four or five disciplines to take in the GCSEs, which can include French, German, Business Studies, Design and Technology, Music, and many others.

At public schools, pupils often take 5 to 10 GCSEs, depending on their ability and motivation. Independent schools, which are typically more results-oriented, are not uncommon for students to take as many as 11 or 12 courses, with a concentrate on academic areas rather than the arts.

GCSEs last two years and signify the conclusion of compulsory schooling for UK pupils. After completing their GCSEs, students can choose to continue their education (with a pathway to further education) or quit school and look for job.

3. Further Education

When pupils are 16 and have finished their GCSEs, they have a few options:

  • Find work
  • Academic Qualifications
  • Vocational Qualifications

If students choose to continue their education, they can do so in one of two ways: by seeking additional academic credentials or by following a vocational pathway.

Academic Qualifications: Most schools in the UK provide a “6th Form” for students to enroll once they have completed their GCSEs. As an alternative, there are numerous “6th Form Colleges” that will provide the same courses to students from schools that do not have a sixth form. Students often study A-levels, which are additional academic qualifications required of students before entering higher education and a degree program.

A-levels, like GCSEs, are a two-year program with two components: full A-levels and partial AS-levels. A-levels typically have six modules, whilst AS-levels have three.

Students typically take two to three A-levels, but depending on their academic abilities and motivation, they may take more. Students in independent schools may take up to five A-levels.

Vocational Qualifications: Students who are not particularly academically inclined might continue their education by enrolling in a vocational course that will provide them with additional hands-on experience and instruction.

 

4. Higher Education

The United Kingdom offers a variety of higher education choices. There are over 100 universities offering various degree programs for students from the UK and throughout the world, so there are plenty of alternatives. In the United Kingdom, around one-third of all students pursue higher education, and this figure is significantly higher for students from Scotland. This makes competition for schools quite tough, hence it is recommended that students enroll early for courses.

In the United Kingdom, most undergraduate degree programs take three years to complete. However, the “sandwich course” is gaining popularity, which lasts four years and includes one year in the workplace. In Scotland, undergraduate studies last four years.

Graduate or master’s programs are often shorter in length and begin after completing an undergraduate program. Some professional degrees, such as medical, veterinary, and law, require longer curricula that can last up to five years.

International students pay full school fees in the UK, and the overall cost varies per school.

 

5. Entry Requirements

Learn more about the UK education admission requirements.

The entry requirements for overseas students vary depending on the program. Although this page will give you with some useful information to help you prepare for admission to UK courses, you should specifically inquire about any course that you are interested in.

All courses and schools will require you to demonstrate competency in the English language.

For most colleges and courses, your level of understanding and fluency in English will be critical to your entrance into a major program, such as a degree programme. You will need to ensure that you have a good level of English understanding, which you may achieve by taking one of the frequently approved English ability tests:

  • TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language
  • IELTS – International English Language Testing System
  • UCLES – University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate

To find an English as a Second Language (ESL) school, consult the ESL directory, which includes a global list of schools.

GCSE Entry Requirements: Your ability to take your GCSEs will be heavily influenced by the school where you are enrolled, as you will normally be required to register with a school during your GCSE education years. Aside from the school’s criteria, the key requirement by the exam boards in the UK is that you have a good level of English proficiency because the tests will be administered in English – see English requirements above.

A-level Entry criteria: As with GCSEs, the criteria for studying A-levels at your desired school will vary greatly. For example, a sixth-form college may require at least 5 GCSE pass grades of C or above, but an independent school may require 10 GCSE pass grades of B or higher. As a result, the outcome will be heavily influenced by the school.

You should also keep in mind that A-levels involve a much higher level of work, requiring a strong command of the English language. Some argue that A-levels are more difficult than most degree programs since they prepare students for higher education.

Vocational Course Entry Requirements: Similar to GCSEs, no formal qualifications are required to enroll in a basic vocational course. Literacy abilities and competency in the English language would be the sole prerequisites, but you should double-check with the school or institution hosting the program since they may have their own requirements.

University Entry Requirements: Each course in the UK has its own entry requirements, thus they vary significantly. Most degree programs in the UK require students to have passed A-levels with particular grades, such as four Bs, or equivalent results in a BTEC or GNVQ. So, within a university, different courses will have varied criteria, and universities may have specific prerequisites that all students must meet. For example, all students at Oxford and Cambridge are required to attend an interview, whereas other universities do not.

Also, as an international student coming to the UK, you can still attend university even if you have not completed A-levels or been educated in the UK system; however, you must contact the administrator of that program to determine what credentials from your home country you will need to provide.

So, how do you keep track of the requirements for a course and apply? In the United Kingdom, this is done through the University and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS), which processes and accepts all university admissions applications.

To acquire information on studying in the UK, consult the UCAS website and the international office of your desired university.

7. UK Degree Online

As online programs become more popular, the availability of high-quality online programs increases. If you want to acquire a UK-accredited degree without having to relocate to the United Kingdom, studying online is an excellent alternative. Obtaining a UK approved degree online allows you to adapt your studies around your schedule and save money on travel expenses while still having access to a wide range of quality programs.

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