UK 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.
Education was restructured into three progressive stages which were known as primary education, secondary education and further education.
In the UK, schools providing primary education are now known as primary schools; They generally cater for children aged from four to eleven.
Primary schools are often subdivided into infant schools for children from four to seven and junior schools for ages seven to 11. In the (diminishing) minority of areas where there is a "three-tier" system, children go to lower school or "first school" until about 9, then middle school until about 13, then upper school; in these places, the term "primary school" is not usually used. In areas that adopted a three-tier system, the term primary school is often used as an alternative to First School, taking in ages up to 9 or 10 years old, although for education planning purposes, the term "primary education" in these areas will still cover the age groups as in a two-tier system. In the private sector, fee-paying schools which provide primary education are known as preparatory schools, and they often cater for children up to the age of thirteen. As their name suggests, preparatory schools are designed to prepare pupils for entrance examinations for fee-paying independent schools.

Secondary Education

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 - Primary and secondary education is mandatory in the UK; after age 16, education is optional.
Every country aims to provide basic education, but the systems and terminology remain unique to them. Secondary education typically takes place after six years of primary education and is followed by higher education, vocational education or employment.[1] Like primary education, in most countries secondary education is compulsory, at least until the age of 16. Children typically enter the lower secondary phase around age 11. Compulsory education sometimes extends to age 19.
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.
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, however this is still ve.

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

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.”
The UK welcomes over 400,000 international higher education students each year, and it’s easy to see why.
Sitting at the top of the world rankings, UK universities have a reputation for developing the skills that employers are looking for. It's not only about attending lectures - you will actively engage with your tutors through lively seminars, discussions and practical projects. This will help you develop critical thinking, creativity and confidence.
Alongside benefiting from the academic tradition of some of the world’s most famous universities, you will have access to the latest facilities due to the UK’s reputation for world-class research. UK education will also help you develop your English skills and confidence in speaking the language, an attribute that is highly valued by employers worldwide.
Whatever aspirations bring you here, and whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, boarding school or further education college, you will learn in a safe, multicultural environment. You will be supported while you study as all UK institutions have extensive student support and welfare services you can call on. There’s also a cultural adventure on offer, from music festivals and football matches to ancient castles and vibrant nightlife.
With costs lower than in Australia and the USA and courses starting from three years, you can enjoy a life-changing student experience safe in the knowledge that you are getting a good value for your money.

Entry Requirements

Each level of education in the UK has varying requirements which must be satisfied in order to gain entry at that level.
UK Degree Online.
With online programs growing in popularity, this means the availability of top-notch online programs is also on the rise. If you want to obtain a UK accredited degree without having to relocate to the United Kingdom, choosing to study online is a good option for you. Getting a UK accredited degree online allows you to fit your studies into your schedule and save money on travel costs while having access to a variety of top programs.

Degrees and Graduation

In the UK, master’s degrees are typically categorized as either “taught” or “research” programs. Taught programs are often just one year in length, consisting of lectures, seminars, exams, assignments and dissertation work. The workload is likely to be more intensive than at undergraduate level, and students will be expected to pursue independent work, but with a significant amount of class time and supervision; this will vary by subject. Research-based master’s degrees usually take longer, often two or three years, and require students to complete in-depth independent research within a specific field – similar to the work required for a PhD, and resulting in the production of a thesis or dissertation report. A PhD takes longer again – at least three years, but often longer. Usually a master’s degree is needed in order to apply for a PhD position, but this is not always the case.
A foundation degree is a higher national diplomas (HNDs) and foundation degrees are level 5 work-based courses, which are equal to two years at university. They can lead straight into a career, or be ‘topped up’ by further study to become a full Bachelor’s degree. You’ll usually need a minimum of 100 UCAS points to get started on these types of courses – although specific entry requirements may vary. This can be gained through a range of qualifications that are usually studied at school level. These include: one GCE (A level), one advanced VCE, a BTEC, or a diploma. You’ll get an HND or a foundation degree at the end of your course – which can be used to gain access to further study, or go straight into a relevant career.
 A Bachelor’s degree is the most common type of undergraduate degree – and can be studied straight after finishing higher education. It’s classed as a level 6 qualification. Entry requirements may vary from course to course – but you’ll usually be required to gain a certain number of UCAS points to get started. These can be made up of a variety of level 3 qualifications, including A levels, BTECs, and Diplomas. The specific title of this qualification will depend on the subject studied. Typical types could include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Science (BSc), Law (LLB), and Engineering (BEng). Graduation from this course will allow you carry out postgraduate study, or go straight into your chosen career.

Living and studying in UK

The UK offers an amazing student life that can be tailored to suit your own tastes. You’ll find an endless number of ways to enjoy yourself, learn new things and make friends.
At the beginning of term universities hold a ‘Welcome Week’, often called ‘Freshers’ Week’, to welcome new students. During this time university clubs and societies hold events and parties to look for new members. It’s a great way to find out what's on and join anything that interests you.
Most universities have a huge selection of clubs and societies, so there are activities to suit everyone. Whether you want to discuss politics, learn how to bake, join a band or go scuba diving, you’re sure to find something that appeals.
As well as meeting like-minded people and having loads of fun, joining clubs and societies can be a great way to gain experience and add more soft skills to your CV. Many societies offer opportunities to organise events, raise money for charity or do some volunteering, all of which are sure to stand you in good stead when you start applying for jobs.

Selective education

A selective school is a school that admits students on the basis of some sort of selection criteria, usually academic. The term may have different connotations in different systems and is the opposite is a comprehensive school, which accepts all students, regardless of aptitude.
The split between selective and comprehensive education is usually at secondary level; primary education is rarely selective. At the university level, selection is almost universal, but a few institutions practice open admissions or open-door enrollment, allowing students to attend regardless of prior qualification.
Most schools in the UK are now comprehensive schools, which are non-selective. However, there are still 164 grammar schools in several counties of England, which select pupils either on the basis of an Eleven Plus examination, by an internally set and moderated examination, or by both. There are no selective schools in Scotland and Wales.[10]
Some formerly Grant Maintained schools were selective by means of exams, tests, interviews; or a combination of all three. Three notable examples of highly selective Grant Maintained schools were St Olave's Grammar School, The John Fisher School in Surrey and The London Oratory School in Fulham, London.
There are also a smaller number of partially selective schools in England.

Grammar schools

A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching Latin, but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school, differentiated in recent years from less academic Secondary Modern Schools.
Grammar schools became the selective tier of the Tripartite System of state-funded secondary education operating in England and Wales from the mid-1940s to the late 1960s and continuing in Northern Ireland. With the move to non-selective comprehensive schools in the 1960s and 1970s, some grammar schools became fully independent and charged fees, while most others were abolished or became comprehensive (or sometimes merged with a secondary modern to form a new comprehensive school).
In both cases, many of these schools kept "grammar school" in their names. Some parts of England retain forms of the Tripartite System, and a few grammar schools survive in otherwise comprehensive areas. Some of the remaining grammar schools can trace their histories to before the 16th century.
In the 1995 the Labour Party promised that there would be no selection under a Labour government. However the party's manifesto for the 1997 election promised that "Any changes in the admissions policies of grammar schools will be decided by local parents.” The Act also defined a procedure by which local communities could petition for a ballot for an end to selection at schools.
There are still 164 state-run grammar schools in existence.
Only a few areas keep a formal grammar school system along the lines of the Tripartite System. In these areas, the eleven plus exam is used solely to identify a subset of children (around 25%) considered suitable for grammar education. When a grammar school has too many qualified applicants, other criteria are used to allocate places. In other areas, grammar schools survive mainly as very highly selective schools in an otherwise comprehensive county. Further radical change was opposed by both Conservative and Labour governments until September 2016; Labour governments have delegated decisions on grammar schools to local processes, which have not yet resulted in any changes. Moreover, government education policy appears to accept the existence of some kind of hierarchy in secondary education, with specialist schools, beacon schools, academies and similar initiatives proposed as ways of raising standards.
Many grammar schools have featured in these programmes, and a lower level of selection is permitted at specialist schools.
In September 2016, prime minister Theresa May reversed the previous Conservative Party policy against expansion of grammar schools. The government opened a consultation on proposals to allow existing grammar schools to expand and new ones to be set up.

Advantages and disadvantages of UK system

The Goods of Studying in England.
There are certainly some clear advantages to studying in England — otherwise, we wouldn’t be struggling to get in there as we do, and the media wouldn’t advertise it like this either. So here’s why students are bumping heads to get into a college in England:
Professional Study Environment_ Students go abroad because they want to study. Obviously, if they do decide to leave their home country, this is because they couldn’t be provided the equipment or resources that they needed. Considering that the UK has some of the top-ranked universities in the world, you will find everything you need there in terms of facilities, research, socializing and sports.
You Graduate Fast _ As opposed to most universities around the world that take around four years or more to get a degree, a university in England can offer it after three years or less. The courses are more focused, and you can gather the knowledge much faster than you would in a US college, for instance. You will get your degree much more quickly and you can start earning your own income. This can also be a disadvantage, depending on how you look at it.
Strict Educational System_ Since professors are rather strict with you, you can’t get away with sleeping through your classes and partying like an animal because you have too much free time on your hands. It’s focused on the subject and it really wants you to study — which is why the British educational system bred so many geniuses.

The disadvantages of the British Educational System

While there are indeed advantages to the British educational system, but at the same time, there are also disadvantages. Before you set out for an education in the UK, here’s what you need to prepare yourself for.
You Need to Decide Early What You’ll Become_ An education in the UK will require that you know exactly what you want to become halfway through high-school so that you have a basis. This is the opposite of American students who can change their majors 2–4 times during university and still not be affected by it.
Too Little Time to Learn_ Remember when we said that graduating early is an advantage? Well, it can also be a disadvantage. Since you take 3 years to study what others do in 4 or 5, you do not have the time to actually let that info sink in or go deeper. And if your college does decide to go deeper, prepare for the next disadvantage.
It’s Very Stressful_ We’ve all heard about stressed students who do not sleep or eat during exam period because they are too stressed — and that part is true. While there’s less time to get a degree in the UK, there’s also more stress — because you have to dab all that info in your brain in less time than normal. Add that to some pretty hardcore professors; you will definitely need a lot of coffee to get by.
While there are some disadvantages for studying in the UK, it’s also certainly worth it. A degree you get here will be recognized and appreciated in the entire world.

Italian Vs UK education system

Our attitudes towards teaching and learning are greatly determined by our cultural values. One area where we differ greatly concerns a value called “Uncertainty Avoidance,” and you can find out more about this on the website of social psychologist Geert Hofstede. Although not all experts agree with Hofstede’s data collection methods, I think that the Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) really does apply to Italy and the UK, especially where schools are concerned. In strong UAI cultures, like Italy, you’ll usually find a very structured, teacher-centred style of learning. Most people believe there is a body of knowledge that everyone should know, and in any test there will usually be one correct answer to every question. 
Teachers are expected to be experts who have already memorised the answers to all these questions and students gain higher marks the more accurate facts and figures they can remember. As the teachers “know” everything, students will rarely disagree with them, from an intellectual point of view. Teachers and professors also frequently express themselves using very difficult terminology. Students expect their university professors to speak this arcane language of experts.
Needless to say, we Anglo-Saxons, especially the Brits with our weak UAI culture, just don’t see it like that. For a start we tend to approach the acquisition of knowledge on a far more “need-to-know” basis. If I can’t remember the exact date of birth of Winston Churchill, who cares? I can find that information any time I choose with a touch of my smartphone. If that piece of knowledge should ever become more important to me, for my studies or because I happen to find a job as a tour guide in the Imperial War Museum in London, then I can always decide to learn it. 
Far more important, from an Anglo-Saxon point of view, is the ability to understand Churchill within the context of his life, to compare him to his contemporaries and most of all to say something new and original about him. It’s also essential to present your fascinating point of view in clear persuasive language that everyone can understand. Students and intellectuals in weak UAI cultures have a great respect for plain language and for books that explain difficult issues in ordinary terms.
We don’t like the idea that there is one correct answer. Of course two plus two always makes four, but a fresh approach to just about anything will always be appreciated far more than the ability to regurgitate accurate facts. Facts change anyway. It only takes one new scientific breakthrough, or the discovery of some historical document, for all those memorised details to become invalid! It may scandalise you to learn that the British leader of the National Union of Teachers, Christine Blower, even suggested recently that it was unnecessary for schoolchildren to memorise their full times tables because they can look up the answers on mobile phones. I’m sure many Brits agreed with her.