Education system of UK has long been an admired destination for Indian students. It is much alike to the education system in India. UK education implements unique quality assurance and academic audit system for ensuring its educational eminence. They are welcoming students from different parts of the world and cultures to high competent education and is building centuries of experience in facilitating quality education for overseas students.
Students will be assessed after completion of each level of education. The foremost among them occurs during the period of GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). After completing their GCSE’s, students will have the choice to pursue their further education or put-off their studies and get started into their working world. The system is broadly classified into the following four main categories:
Primary Education Children in UK start their education with primary education at the age of 5 years. it is a 6 years length of education and students will be educated up to the age of 11 years at this level. Primary education in UK is sometimes divided into 2 sorts – Infant/Nursery schools (age level 5-7) and junior schools (age level 7-11). Know more about Primary Education.
Secondary EducationSecondary education encompasses the next level of education between the age group of 11-16 years, which is similar to ‘High school’ in India. Here students will be pursuing a common set of courses directing to GCSE, an exam conducted at the end of secondary education. Generally international students join secondary school at the age of 12 years.
Nevertheless, many pupils in UK pursue additional 2 years of Advanced level of education (GCSE A level) equivalent qualifications as sixth form students. They can also pursue Advanced Supplementary Level (GCE AS level) exams followed in secondary education. International students often enter the education system at this point, e.g. taking an A-level course in preparation for further or higher education in the UK.
Further EducationThis level covers (or similar to) post-16 courses that are similar to GCE A-level xams, where course may be either full-time or part-time and for any subject. This is the post-secondary level of education in UK. Pupils seeking for admission in colleges or universities have to complete their further education. Usually it includes education for the pupil over 16 years of age with the certification of GCSE or equivalent of it. This is generally taught in FE colleges and later in community learning institutions.
Higher EducationMost higher education begins at the age of 18 at colleges or universities. 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’. It requires above the standard of GCE A-level. For pupil without A-level exam have to take additional 1-year program, especially international students undertake this course as training of university course in UK. Here credits will be awarded for them towards student’s degree.
