Understanding the UK education system

The UK education system is worldwide reputed for its high quality and standards.

If you are planning to start or continue your studies in the UK, it may help you first to have an in-depth understanding of how the UK education system works.

Emagister has prepared a basic guide for you that will help you get ready and fully equipped for your new educational experience!

Nowadays, the UK education system is constantly undergoing some changes. Keeping you in line with the new legislation is not always an easy task, but Emagister will do its best to keep you up to date with the changes as and when they happen.

In general, the British education system is divided into five stages of education: early years, primary years, secondary education, Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE).

By law, all children between 5 and 16 years, must receive a full time education, according to their age and needs.

The Compulsory Education in UK

The aim is that every student achieves their best, both academically and personally. All students are in fact encouraged to develop their individual skills and talents.

The National Curriculum defines four Key Stages that unfold more or less like this:

• Key Stage 1: Years 1 and 2 (up to age 7)
• Key Stage 2: Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (age 7 to 11)
• Key Stage 3: Years 7, 8 and 9 (age 11 to 14)
• Key Stage 4: Years 10 and 11 (age 14 to 16)

The Foundation Stage, which represents early years learning (age 3 to the end of Reception Year, which is pre-Year 1) became part of the National Curriculum in 2002.

Key Stage 1 and 2 are usually taught in primary schools and Key Stage 3 and 4 are usually taught in secondary schools.

All students in England are required to adhere to the National Curriculum. Wales and Northern Ireland largely follow the National Curriculum requirements.

A crucial point: Key Stage 4

At the end of each Key Stage, students are assessed by National Curriculum tests.

The last stage, the Key Stage 4, is the final one of  compulsory education and lasts from the age of 14 to 16. This is a crucial moment for students, getting ready to undertake the national assessment tests, that will lead them to take a GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education), or other national qualifications.

From this point forward, students have a choice of whether to continue their studies or to undertake employment.

For those who decide to continue with further education at school or college they can opt for AS-level, A-level or vocational qualifications.

Further Education

UK higher education is valued all over the world for its standards and prestige.

By definition, the UK higher education level is the one that follows the secondary schools and gives students different options (A-Levels, GNVQ’s, BTEC’s or other such qualifications).  Students planning to go to college or university must complete further education.

International students that decide to continue their study in the UK will enter directly into the UK higher education system, after completing their home country’s equivalent to the UK’s “further education.”

Based on the actual education regulations, the UK Higher Education comprises different levels of courses.

Undergraduate courses

These courses include a wide range Bachelor’s degrees (or first degrees), as well as foundation degrees, SVQ, NVQ, Higher National Certificates (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or equivalent.

Usually, an undergraduate course takes 3years to finish (with the exception of Scotland which takes a year more).

Postgraduate courses

To enter this level it is usually required to have a Bachelor’s degree.

These courses comprehend Postgraduate diplomas or certificates of education (PGCE) as well as professional degrees, Master’s Degrees and Doctorates.

The reputation of British higher education goes hand to hand with its costs. But, despite not being very affordable, if you decide to study in the UK, it will surely be worth the cost. The UK education system and its higher education degrees are valued by academics and employers all over the world.

The UK has a rich history of quality higher education and each university has great options for any

student! Visit emagister.co.uk and choose the courses that match your aspiration and interests the most, then ask for further information with a simple click!