Education in the UK

The United Kingdom education system is divided broadly into five areas:

• Preschool
• Primary School
• Secondary / Public School
• Career and Vocational Training
• University or other tertiary institutions

The United Kingdom is renowned for its excellent educational system and its high standard universities. To graduate from a British school or university is a fantastic ticket for a successful career in the UK or anywhere else in the world.

You may wish to study and improve your English or enroll onto a wide variety of courses and qualifications open to overseas students.

Education is important in the UK. Children must attend school from the age of 5 to 16 years old. Before the start of formal schooling many children attend nursery. They then begin with primary education and this usually lasts until they are eleven. Then they move to secondary school where at the age of sixteen they sit the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). These important exams test their knowledge in subjects under the national curriculum. After completing the GCSEs, they have the option to go onto college or to continue at high school for two more years.

After high school or college, many students decide to go to University where they will be studying for three or four years in order to obtain their degree.

Fees

Most school children receive free education whilst others attend independent fee paying schools.

Students need to pay to attend University. The fees vary from one University to another and overseas students are required to pay higher tuition fees. Students may have the option to obtain a scholarship or take out a student loan.

Term

The school year is 39 weeks long and is divided into six terms. It usually starts in September and ends in July.

The University year usually starts in September/October and ends in May/June.

The main holidays are at Christmas, Easter and Summer.