Understanding the UK Education System
the UK the education system is divided into 4 stages;
Primary Education (aged 4-11) Consists of reception class, followed by years 1 through 6. Reception through Year 2 is also known as Infant, and Year 3 through 6 is commonly called Junior. Children are taught the majority of subjects by one class teacher and there are never more than 30 children in a class.
Secondary Education (Aged 11-16) This is where children will begin to take a wider range of classes with specialist teachers rather than be taught by 1 person. At the age of 16 students take exams called GCSEs. (General Certificate of Secondary Education)
Further Education (Aged 16-18) Students use to have the opportunity to leave school and go into the world of work post 16, as of 2013 it is mandatory to stay in further education until the age of 18,either attend a college of further education- normally to take more vocational qualifications or to continue onto a 6th form to take A-Levels which are required in order to go onto university. There are also other options open such as apprenticeships and trainee-ships as an alternative to university but you cannot start full-time work until the age of 18.
Higher Education (18+) Following A-Levels students can either take a HND (Higher National Diploma) which is normally a 2 year course that is considered the equivalent of a 2nd year degree, or a full degree programme (3-4 years)
UK Students now pay up to £9,000 for a full-time under-graduate degree, but this cost is determined by the university so can vary depending on the institution.
Following an under-graduate degree students can continue to do a Masters or a PhD.