Types of schools in England. The education system in the UK

Public schools in England, which are funded by the government, are part of the state educational system. Children study in them 9 out of 10 days. Private schools, they are also called independent, imply paid education in them, and the cost depends on the particular institution.

All schools are divided into types depending on the age of the children. The general scheme of education is as follows:

1. Institutions for preschoolers: classes are formed from children from 3 to 5 years old.
2. Primary school: age category of children from 5 to 11 years old;
3. secondary school: students from 11 to 18.
4. Colleges, universities (high school).

AT public institution You don't have to pay for tuition. About how much it costs to get an education in boarding schools, and what is the cost per year, you need to check on the official website of a particular institution.

Most Russian citizens who prefer choose the best boarding schools in the UK (Eton, Ashford, Brighton) for children: pay for summer courses to improve a foreign language and choose a specific school.

The system of educational institutions of the state type

Most often, publicly funded schools are dominated by mixed groups, that is, the institution is designed for both girls and boys. This is especially true for the elementary level of education. Government-controlled schools in the UK may follow a particular religion. There are schools that accept only Catholics or English people.

All schools in the country follow the general program educational requirements, take a responsible approach to the issue of preparing children for passing tests in accordance with their age.

What are the conditions for admission to English educational institutions? Local residents apply for training, are interviewed. For foreign citizens, including Russians, the requirements are similar. The only condition is that if the child is under 16 years old, then the parents must be in England for any of the (more than six months).

Otherwise, the child will be allowed to study only in private boarding schools, the cost of education in which is set by the school itself.

Disciplinary measures in all schools are varied. As a rule, the punishment for disobedience, being late or talking in class is additional homework or work with study materials during recess. The punishment for serious misconduct is the summoning of parents, suspension from studies for a while, or expulsion.

Private boarding schools

Among independent schools in the UK, the most common boarding schools are girls-only or colleges where boys study, for example, Eton or Badminton. The peculiarity of these institutions is that they independently approve educational and methodological programs and decide whether students will be tested for compliance with the generally accepted educational course.

Private boarding houses are characterized by small class sizes (as a rule, no more than 12 people study in one class). For children, an individual approach is provided, the teacher pays a lot of attention to each student. Regardless of whether it is a primary or secondary school, private educational institutions can be of 2 types: “boarding school” or “boarding school”.

A five-day boarding school is a training of 5 days with two days off for which students go home. If the educational institution is of the “boarding” type (Eton, Badminton), then both lessons and accommodation take place on the territory of the institution. Students can go home for the summer holidays. The best boarding schools accept girls and boys of 11 years of age, and in some educational institutions admission begins from the age of 9.

Education in boarding schools includes 3 semesters: lessons are held in autumn, spring and even summer. Between all semesters, vacations are provided - long in time, like Easter, summer or Christmas, as well as short ones (the second name is half). The latter begin in the middle of each semester.

Training begins in early September, ends in the summer season. How long the school year lasts depends on the type of school and the program provided. Unlike municipal institutions, which end the year almost at the end of July, private schools set their own deadlines. In most institutions, the interval for the end of the academic year is the end of June - the 20th of July. Summer holidays last about 1.5 months. Christmas can be extended, as well as Easter.

English primary education in public institutions

Modern English primary schools accept children from the age of 4 years. The training lasts 7 years. In some cities of the country there are institutions like kindergartens (students under 6 years old), as well as junior schools where children at the age of seven study for 4 years.

You can get into elementary school (preparatory class) if you have the appropriate papers: parents will be required to fill out an application six months before the start of the first semester.

The best state-type elementary schools cannot fully guarantee the continuation of a child's education in this institution, even if he ended up in a preschool class owned by the institution. As a rule, new elementary schools with a good reputation are overcrowded, so how many vacancies there are and what are the requirements for admission should be clarified before the start of the school year.

Each school for girls and boys under the age of 11 covers a specific area nearby. Children living in the territory belonging to the institution are accepted without waiting in line. A list of microdistricts and a description of the requirements is available on the official websites of all schools.

The requirements for entering a church school are the child's belonging to a particular denomination, as well as attendance at a Sunday church belonging to the corresponding educational institution. In addition, parents are required to come to church services 2-3 times a month for 2 years prior to the date of application for admission of a child to a religious school.

Private boarding houses for children under 11 years old

In the sector of independent education, the education of children up to 7 years old is called pre-preparatory, and students from 7 to 11 are engaged in preparatory institutions. After the children successfully pass the test, they can move on to the next educational level - secondary school. To date, there are very few old traditional institutions such as Harrow or Eton.

Every year the number of pre-preparatory and preparatory educational institutions increases, now there are more than 1000 of them. Each school has its own requirements and conditions. Can be different:

• admission conditions;
• curriculum: lessons, courses, educational and recreational activities;
• the cost of education per year;
• duration of summer and Christmas holidays;
• discipline: punishment and encouragement of students.

Many parents are faced with the problem of lack of places in the guesthouse of interest. This is due to the demand for education in a particular educational institution, its reputation and elitism. Registration of a student in certain schools of the country takes place even before the baby is born or from the moment of conception.

Most often, children pass special exams upon admission, according to the results of which the administration of the educational institution decides whether to enroll the child or not.

Secondary education in public institutions in England

An English secondary school is a place where students who have reached the age of 11 study. Institutions can be built on a blended learning system or a separate one, where boys and girls are educated separately from each other. The highest level of discipline (severe punishment for misbehavior and worthy encouragement for achieving success) and excellent learning outcomes different church schools of different religious denominations in the UK.

In addition, there are secondary selective educational institutions. The full classification of secondary schools financed from the state budget is as follows:

1. A gymnasium where students are recruited according to a certain number of test scores, a well-written essay. The main subjects on which special emphasis is placed are logic and mathematics.
2. School of general education type. Receipt takes place according to the territorial affiliation.
3. Confessional institution. The condition for admission is regular church visits by both the child and his parents.
4. General educational selective school. Admission is partly based on the territorial basis of belonging to the school, and partly on the basis of sports training, ability to draw or music.

There are special boarding schools where the education of children is paid for by the local government. A description of the criteria by which schoolchildren are admitted can be seen on the website of the boarding school you like. In general, it is important how much the child needs this form of education, and how it corresponds to it. First of all, recruitment is carried out according to the territorial affiliation to the boarding school.

Find good school state type for children over 11 years old is quite difficult compared to primary schools. According to the generally accepted opinion, gymnasiums are considered the best, which affects the overcrowding of these institutions at the beginning of the academic year. In a good gymnasium, there can be about 12 applicants for one place. First of all, those 11-year-old children who have revealed more abilities or talents in a certain area go through.

Great Britain (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) is a European country where the development of education is considered a priority of the state. It is not surprising that the British educational environment is characterized as one of the best among others on the planet. High educational standards are maintained here, and specialists with British diplomas do not know problems with employment. British education is the cherished goal of international students.

Features of English education

British citizens in the period of their life from 5 to 16 years of age are prescribed compulsory education by the legislation of the country. You can go through the school process in one of two ways. The first is education in public schools. The second is education in private schools. If in the first case education is free, in the second, as a rule, it is required to pay for the services of the teaching staff.

Actually British education- it's two different systems. One is used in Northern Ireland, England, Wales. The second found wide application in Scotland. Both systems successfully fit into the way of life of British society. The existing base of educational institutions of primary and secondary education fully meets the needs of the society. Great Britain is distinguished by a rich variety of schools by type. However, boarding schools are considered the most popular..

Boarding schools are the most popular educational institutions in the UK

For the first time, boarding schools appeared in the state at the turn of the Middle Ages. As a rule, these educational institutions were part of the structure of British churches and monasteries. The main difference between such institutions and standard-type educational institutions was that the students, along with education, were provided with a full board - accommodation, meals, and personal services.

Preschool education system

The British system of preschool education, in fact, is an integral part of the full cycle educational school. Pre-school education institutions - nurseries, kindergartens - are usually included in the network of primary school institutions. The period of pre-school education in Britain is limited to a period of 2 to 7 years. However, most of the children are in nurseries and kindergartens for no more than two years (from 2 to 4), after which they are sent to primary school (Primary School).

The content of children in nurseries and full-time kindergartens must be paid. There are also free institutions, but all of them are designed only for temporary 2-3 hour services. The cost of full kindergarten services in Britain is significantly higher than in other European countries. Therefore, in order to alleviate the financial burden of low-income parents, the state has launched a special loan program. For example, in England, under such a loan program, parents who work at least 16 hours a week can receive from 100 to 160 dollars per child, depending on the number of children they have.

Private kindergartens provide comprehensive development of the child

The curriculum of pre-school education in the UK is built on the principles of supporting children's initiative. In the process of education, the individual characteristics of children are necessarily taken into account. At the same time, at the stage of preschool education, children are actively prepared for elementary school - they are taught to read, write, and count. As a result, the majority of preschool graduates have good primary school education skills. This is one of the factors that makes it possible to speak of the British system of early childhood education as one of the best in the world.

... It is very difficult to get into a decent kindergarten. When you decide on the place of residence, immediately register the child, select several at once and hope for good luck. Opening hours, conditions and pay are all different, so there will be no general information, unfortunately. Or rather, it is, but only for some English residents and I don't think it applies to your case. Please note that in kindergartens you can give children for half a day. For the morning or afternoon shift, or for the whole day, with or without lunch. Some kindergartens are located in rooms without a kitchen, so they do not supply children with hot meals ...

http://forum.awd.ru/viewtopic.php?f=514&t=238943#p5472072

Primary School

The policy of British primary education in England, Wales, Northern Ireland determines the enrollment of children in primary school from the age of 4 or from the age of 7. In the first case (Primary School), the course of study lasts 7 years (period from 4 to 11). For the second option (Junior School), the duration of study is 6 years (period from 7 to 13). It is worth noting: the principle of enrolling in school from the age of 7 is applied in Britain to children of immigrants.

Video: an overview of an ordinary English school

The policy of the Scottish school is a little different. In Scotland, the formation of school groups from children born between March of the current year and February of the following year is practiced. Children born in the period of March-August are enrolled in school from 5–5.5 years old. And children born in the period of September-February are enrolled for study, subject to the age bar from 4 to 4 years 11 months. The Scottish system of enrollment is considered by many experts to be more flexible.. At the primary school stage in the UK, the main subjects to study are:

• English language,
• maths,
• geography,
• story,
• industrial technology,
• art,
• music.

School courses Primary School and Junior School include the SATS and "11+" exam systems, respectively. The SATS exam is administered twice as part of the Primary School course. Once two years after the start of studies and the second time at the stage of completion of studies. The exam "11+" is the final training within the framework of the Junior School course. This type of examination was widely used in schools in Wales and England. Now it has been replaced by a standardized test. The results of both examinations are required for the transition to the secondary school stage.

In schools in England there are only 6 semesters, which are separated by holidays. Semesters are called terms. The academic year in private schools in England lasts from September to July.

UK secondary education

From the age of 11, British children must move to a secondary school course. In reality, the age of children can be 11-13 years. Education continues until the age of 17 (changes in the law from 2015) and, just like in primary school, is compulsory. The final stage of the high school course is obtaining a certificate of secondary education GCSE - General Certificate of Secondary Education. There are also secondary schools that issue a certificate of professional qualification GNVQ - General National Vocational Qualification upon completion of studies.

Exams are an integral part of high school

Children of foreign nationality are usually admitted to a UK secondary school between the ages of 11 and 13. The classic scheme for enrolling immigrant children is to place them in boarding schools. All secondary school students take the Common Entrance Examinations after the first two years of study. This test is also called "13+". Students are tested in the following subjects:

• mathematics (mental test, counting with a calculator, counting without a calculator),
• English (international, British),
• latin writing,
• greek writing,
• Welsh (for public schools in Wales),
• Irish language (for public schools in Northern Ireland),
• geography,
• story,
• religious studies,
• physics, chemistry or biology, or other sciences,
• foreign languages ​​to choose from (French, German, Chinese, Spanish).

The results of the exam are a pass to further education within the framework of secondary school at the stage from 14 to 17 years. During these three years, students are purposefully preparing to pass the final exams and receive a certificate of secondary education - the General Certificate of Secondary Education. Most of the subjects examined in the GCSE correspond to the subjects of the 13+ test, but several more disciplines are added to them.

... There are only 3 residences in the school: Bartlett (Juniors till Year 8), Sanderson (Years 9-11) and Sixth Form. I ended up at Sanderson. The food is excellent: breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. Therefore, despite the busy schedule (the school day starts at 8:30 and ends at 18:30), there are breaks to switch and relax. The teaching scheme is very similar to teaching at the university ...

Dilara

http://www.i-l.ru/reviews/education/209/

Preparation for higher education

After receiving the GCSE certificate of secondary education, two paths open up for high school graduates. The first is labor activity. The second is to continue studying at a university or college. If you choose to study at the university, then you can not do without additional preparatory education. We are talking about two-year A-Levels preparatory courses.

A-Levels courses require the obligatory study of 4-5 disciplines during the first year and 3-4 more disciplines during the second year. Exams are completed every year. The examination process in the courses differs from generally accepted standards. There are no strictly prescribed subjects for passing the exam. Students themselves choose subjects from the total number offered for the test. Usually it is with these preparatory courses that foreign students begin their studies at British universities.

…Here I changed my attitude to education. In Russia, we most often perceive a diploma as a necessary piece of paper for some reason, a formality. Therefore, it is in the order of things to roll on exams, skip and look forward to when it will end. Perhaps because here education is paid (and, by the way, students themselves, and not parents, take a loan for it!) Or for other reasons - the attitude is completely different ...

Anna

http://www.i-l.ru/reviews/education/201/

Higher education: features and reviews

As a rule, citizens of Great Britain begin to receive higher education from the age of 18. The general scheme of higher education is complemented by a branch of vocational training. More than 600 public and private colleges in the UK offer to provide young people with a professional specialty. Vocational educational institutions train technical specialists within the framework of educational programs of various directions.

Higher education includes vocational training

A typical scheme of higher education begins to line up from the bachelor's level. At this stage, training lasts 3-4 years. Moreover, if the university bachelor's program covers 4 years, the last year students receive knowledge of the first level of the master's degree. All undergraduate graduates can continue to improve their knowledge at the next two educational levels.

1. Master's degree (one year or two years in the case of research activities).
2. Postgraduate studies (standard period of study is three years).

Higher education in the UK is paid for all students, including foreigners. Local students have privileges in paying, and Foreign citizens pay all tuition fees.

The cost of studying in the UK

Higher education institutions other than Regent's University London, University of Buckingham and College vocational education(BPP University College), additionally funded by the state. However, the maximum amount of payment per year for students in England is 9 thousand euros. On average, for three years of a bachelor's degree, the cost of education is 26 thousand euros.

Education fees in Northern Ireland are slightly different.. There, the maximum cost is limited to 3,805 euros. For the same amount, students can apply for an educational loan if it is not possible to pay in cash. Lending is handled by Student Finance NI. The loan is repaid after graduation, when the student starts working and earning an income.

Scotland provides even more attractive conditions. There, tuition is paid by the SAAS - Student Awards Agency Scotland. The main condition is compliance with the requirements of the "Young Student":

1. Age not more than 25 years old.
2. No children.
3. Not married (including cohabitation).
4. Break in education no more than 3 years.

For all other Scottish students who are over the age of 25, the tuition fee is between €1200 and €1800 per year. The cost of postgraduate studies can reach €3,400 per year.

Video: education in Scotland

In Wales, the situation with tuition fees actually repeats the English system (up to €9,000 per year). However, grants of up to €5,100 are available to students at Welsh universities. These funds can be added to the €3,800 loan to cover tuition fees. By the way, these rules apply to Welsh students who come to study in other regions of the UK.

... About five years ago, my daughter graduated from Cambridge, about 100 thousand euros came out for a circle. At the same time, she had Overseas scholarships of 4,000 pounds a year and plus 1,500 pounds a year support from an English company, in which, according to the rules of admission to the university, she had to work for a year before entering. The advantages of Cambridge are the ability to easily get a job (depending, of course, on the specialty) immediately for a good salary ...

http://pora-valit.livejournal.com/2903280.html?thread=376501232#t376501232

The most popular educational institutions

Top five colleges in the UK:

A college of international importance in London - CATS College London, is a vocational institution. The college is an integral part of the British college system - CEG. The institution offers a wide range of educational programs.

The educational institution Cambridge Tutors College, a derivative of the University of Cambridge, has been at the peak of popularity almost from the moment of its foundation. Here they give good knowledge, qualifications, specialization. This is a great platform to prepare for university education.

A cultural monument of the Victorian era is called St Clares Oxford - Oxford International College. Indeed, the educational institution, founded in 1953, occupies the area of ​​buildings, the time of which dates back to the 18th century. The neighborhood of antiquity, however, does not interfere with the educational process at all.

Bosworth Independent College is another well-known and popular international college located in England.. A relatively young educational institution provides quality education. Almost half of the college students are foreigners.

Not far from London there is a cozy town of Market Harborough. Brooke House College operates in this city. A feature of the educational institution is a highly professional teaching staff. There is the possibility of GCSE certification and training under the A-Level program.

…Studying at a college in London provides the right social circle and the right contacts for building a career in the future, the horizons and opportunities after studying in London will be wider than after graduating from an unnamed fence-building university in some small town in Germany. Graduate employment statistics are not closed…

ponaexali_tyt

http://pora-valit.livejournal.com/3123009.html?thread=402752833#t402752833

Photo gallery: the best colleges in England

The college offers quality education to international students Oxford International College is a prestigious education Cambridge Tutors College is a good knowledge, qualification, specialization CATS College London - an institution of vocational direction Вrooke House College provides high-level training from top-class teachers

Oxfordshire is home to the University of Oxford, one of the oldest universities in the world.. The same university is on the list of the best higher education institutions in the UK. The university accepts about 20 thousand students annually, thirty percent of which are foreign citizens.

Preferred Charitable Institution - University of Cambridge. The activities of the university are partly financed by a state grant, partly by donations from charitable foundations. Students are trained in 28 different areas.

Technologies for integrating related professions made the University of Surrey famous. The university received full international recognition for unique scientific research in the field of fundamental and applied sciences. This is one of the universities, 90% of whose graduates are successfully employed in their specialty.

The second place in Europe and the fourth in the world is occupied by the University College London (University College London). The first institution of higher education in the capital of Great Britain, among the graduates of which there are 26 Nobel laureates. The university has 10 faculties, several research centers a number of institutions.

The successor of the Hartley Institute - Southampton University (Southampton University), was founded in 1862. Since then, he has won and firmly holds a leading position in the UK education system. Included in the TOP-100 best educational institutions of the planet.

Photo gallery: the best universities in the UK

University College London is the first institution of higher education in the capital of Great Britain The University of Surrey is a guaranteed job for university graduates The University of Cambridge is a privileged charitable institution The University of Oxford is one of the oldest universities in the world The University of Southampton firmly holds a leading position in the UK education system

Scholarship and grants for international students

The UK opens up opportunities for foreign students to study with the help of grants and scholarships. True, in order to receive grants and scholarships, foreign students must meet stringent requirements. In addition, the lion's share of all scholarships and grants is applied only at the master's and postgraduate levels.. From what is offered today, several programs can be distinguished.

1. The Hill Foundation (Hill Foundation).
2. Scholarship Felix (Felix Scholarship).
3. Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Award (Dorothy Hodgkin Award).
4. Grants from Coca-cola and Shell.
5. Special programs of a number of universities.

Every international student under the age of 35, low-income, from countries outside the European Economic Area, who successfully completed a bachelor's degree, can apply for a scholarship or count on a grant.

Accommodation for Russian students and not only

A rare British university is not ready to provide its students with a place in a hostel. Most educational institutions in the UK tend to provide rooms on student campuses. Accommodation options for students in rooms may vary. There are both single rooms and rooms for several people. Individual amenities or shared. On average, the price of accommodation on student campuses reaches 150-200 pounds per week. However, there is one caveat: students are guaranteed accommodation in a hostel only in the first year of study. Further, the situation may change.

Video: student life in Host Family conditions

Living conditions for students of Oxford, Cambridge and similar prestigious universities look more stable. There places are allocated immediately for the entire period of study. True, the cost of living is much higher - an average of 7 thousand pounds a year. The situation is approximately the same with British colleges at Oxford and Cambridge, since most of these educational institutions are part of the structure of universities. For other educational institutions - less prestigious, tariffs are reduced by almost an order of magnitude. A place in a hostel can be obtained for 70-100 pounds per week.

In addition to hostels, there are two more accommodation options. This is a service familiar to many immigrants - renting an apartment or a room, as well as living in a British family. The family version of the device is usually selected by the administration of the educational institution. This is an economical accommodation option compared to renting. Rental housing per year on average costs 7-9 thousand pounds for the central regions and 5-7 thousand pounds in the periphery.

... I lived in a family. For the first year, this family “built” me very much. It was necessary to follow all the rules on fads. At the time, I thought all British families were like that. It was only later that I learned that there are normal families, and that a family can be changed if desired. Although it is still better to live in a family than in a residence. And there is more freedom, and there is no strict release, checking things. But until the age of 16, you are strictly watched in the family ...

Michael

http://www.i-l.ru/reviews/education/155/

What are the admission requirements for foreigners?

Since 2012, the UK authorities have tightened the requirements for international students wishing to study in the UK. Now all foreign applicants (including Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Kazakhstanis) are prescribed the following settings:

• the age of the applicant is 16 years and older;
• knowledge of English language correspond to the level of knowledge of local citizens who have graduated from high school in the UK;
• the applicant is from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA);
• an educational institution has been selected from the list published on the website of the British Foreign Office;
• the financial support of the applicant fully covers all the costs of studying and living in the country.

Education in the UK is generally available to international students who have high levels of previous education. In addition, every foreign student planning to study in the country must have a sponsor. Compliance with these conditions is determined by the number of control points awarded. So, if a potential applicant scores 30 points in the control test for permission to enroll and 10 points for financial security, he is granted access to study. Otherwise, admission will be denied.

Conditions for obtaining a visa

To apply for and obtain a visa to study in the UK, the following documents will be required:

• application and passport
• extracts from financial documents confirming solvency,
• medical certificate of tuberculosis test,
• contact details of parents or guardian (for students under 18),
• a few passport size photos,
• an invitation to study from a British university on an official letterhead,
• certificate of knowledge of English (IELTS, TOEFL).

In addition to the originals of all documents, their copies must be submitted, notarized and translated into English and Welsh. May be required additional information. For example, the duration of training, the total cost, conditions and place of residence. Registration fee - 89 pounds for a six-month visa, 170 pounds for a visa for 11 months.

Final table: the pros and cons of English education

Advantages	Flaws
Prestigious education at all levels from elementary school	Expensive education for foreigners
Quality English teaching	Required basic knowledge language at the high school level
Wide spectrum educational institutions and programs	For international students, the choice of universities is limited
Intensive training, which reduces the time of study	There is no time left for part-time work due to the intensity of training
You can get a job during your studies and after graduation from an educational institution	For students of the first years of study, work time is limited to 10 hours per week. After completion of studies work permit only for 1 year

The British educational system has evolved over centuries of history. The acquired traditions were preserved and improved. Today the UK represents one of the best models education. However last years increasingly critical remarks. Some experts argue that the era of the formation of Great Britain is over. Like it or not - it's easy to find out. You just need to go to study in a British college or university.

In general, the educational system of Great Britain consists of five main steps:

1. Early development(Early Years Foundation Stage)

2. Primary education

3. Secondary education

4. Further education

5. Higher education

School education in the UK

In turn, school education is divided into 4 steps- so called Key Stages:

Key Stage 1: from 5 to 7 years

Key Stage 2: from 7 to 11 years old

Key Stage 3: from 11 to 14 years old

Key Stage 4: from 14 to 16 years old

The first two steps are primary school, and the last two are middle. At the end of each stage, students take final exams.

Schooling: age

Under current law, all children living in the UK, including children of illegal immigrants, are required to attend school at the age of from 5 to 16 years(a recent amendment extended it to 18 years). In reality, this means that the child goes to primary school already at 4 years- in the school year when he turns five.

Pre-school education: kindergartens

It should be noted that the cost of childcare in the UK is one of the highest in the world. According to statistics, the average British family spends about thirds of your family budget.

Thus, already from 4 years all children in the UK start school.

English schools: private and public

As you know, depending on the type of funding, schools in the UK are divided into state(state) and private(The latter may be referred to as "private", "independent" or "public schools"). In general, the British educational system is regulated by a single supervisory body - UK Ministry of Education(Department for Education).

As an alternative to school education, you can go through home schooling - the so-called homeschooling". If you choose homeschooling or a private school option for your child, you should notify your local council. In other cases, you must apply in advance to the cansil in order to get a place at the school.

UK public school admission process

At the end of elementary school, the most capable students with high academic results, who have successfully passed the 11 plus exams at the end of the 2nd key level, can continue their education in state gymnasiums - the so-called " grammar schools”, which are considered more prestigious than ordinary secondary public schools (but are still valued by parents a little lower than private ones).

Categories of schools in the UK

Each private school develops its own conditions for admission - many of them are schools selective type, that is, in order to enter, the child must pass the entrance tests and pass an interview. Traditionally, education received in private schools is quoted higher than that in state schools, so parents are trying their best to get their child into a private school - if not in primary, then at least in secondary. For especially gifted children from low-income families, private schools may offer discounts for training, up to 100%.

Most schools in the UK follow the national curriculum, however in the case of homeschooling and private schools and academies the curriculum may differ. The only requirement for all is to pass the national exams at the age of 16, at the end of Key stage 4.

School exams: GCSE

These final exams GCSE certificate, which stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education(general certificate of secondary education), are a key moment in the life of a child, largely determining his further fate. Immediately after passing the GSCEs, the student has a choice: to continue their education with a further goal of enrolling in a university or graduating from school and going to work. However, not everyone will have the opportunity to continue their education and enter the university, but only those lucky ones who pass GSCEs with high scores: usually students pass from 7 to 12 items, of which at least 5 must be with grades ranging from A* to C.

Further education: Sixth form and A-levels exams

The next stage of education is called " sixth form" or " college". As a result of this stage, which usually takes 2 years, students take one more exams - as a rule, these are academic A levels(short for "Advanced level qualifications"), which with a stretch can be called an analogue of the Russian USE. There are also equivalent qualifications in vocational education such as GNVQ's or BTEC's. However, when choosing a university and a specific course of study, you should familiarize yourself with the entrance requirements in advance - the fact is that some universities accept only the results of A-levels.

UK university admissions

For admission to the most prestigious universities in the country, such as Oxford or Cambridge(collectively they are often referred to as "Oxbridge"), as a rule, you need to get an A * in three, and preferably four subjects at A-levels and at least 8 A * at GSCEs. The higher the university rating, the stricter its requirements. It should be noted that employers Great Britain also takes into account the grades of applicants when selecting employees: high scores in final exams make you a more attractive candidate in the labor market.

Although the official position calls for considering all A-level exams equal, from the point of view of universities, “not all yogurts are equally useful”, that is, some subjects are more preferable than others. In relation to the latter, the derisive term “Mickey Mouse” is even used. A-levels - Mickey Mouse exams, that is, anyhow. The difficulty lies in the fact that not all universities openly publish lists of preferred subjects. As a rule, this can be found out only in a personal conversation with university staff, or by using “common sense” - that is, by choosing subjects in accordance with the specifics of the course. Traditionally, 4 exams in scientific disciplines (for example, chemistry, mathematics, physics, biology) are valued above all, but such a choice of subjects will be somewhat strange if you intend to enter an art university. In the latter, English literature, history, art and design will be more useful to you.

Note that all of the above is only true for England and Wales.Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own education systems, slightly different from the rest of the UK (in particular, in Scotland, a child can start school a year later). This should be taken into account when choosing a school or university. England and Wales adhere to the nationwide educational system described in this article.

Our specialists in English education are happy to assist in the placement of children in schools in the UK.

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Education system in Great Britain

In the UK, schooling is compulsory from the age of 5 to 16. Some will immediately be able to object that, they say, since 2015, education in the UK has become compulsory up to the age of 18. This is true! But for the last 3 years (15-18 years) young people have the right to study in other educational institutions, for example, in private Sixth Form colleges, colleges of further education, analogues of our vocational schools, or work as an apprentice under the supervision of an experienced master who has the right for training young professionals.

But back to the students. Before the start of training, namely from the age of 2, children attend Nursery or Pre-preparatory School(similar to our kindergartens). It can be either an independent educational institution or part of an elementary school. It is worth noting that it is precisely because the kindergarten can be part of the school that the legend arose that children in the UK go to school from the age of 2.

With difficulty understanding education systems in the UK we face from the start. Despite the fact that the compulsory starting age of education is 5 years old, children have the opportunity at 4 years old to enter a preparatory class called the Reception Year. Parents can use this opportunity at their discretion. This is the first difference from our system. English parents who believe that their child is not mature enough can send him to school from the age of 5. In this case, he will begin his studies no longer from the Reception Year, but from the first grade (Year 1). In other words, such a child does not lag behind and is not ahead of peers. With us, if parents think that a child is mature enough at 6 years old, then he goes to school with 7-year-olds, and thus is a year ahead of his peers, but more on that later.

In the preparatory class, children are prepared in a playful and entertaining way for the beginning of schooling. This year does not count towards the general curriculum. But not everything is so simple. In fairness, it should be said that there are "difficulties" in the English system. Not all children have the opportunity to get to the Reception Year. In England, there is such a thing as "summer children", that is, children born in the period from April 1 to August 31. They are considered "less ready" in relation to their peers born at the beginning of the year. That is why they are recommended to start training at the age of 5. By law, the parents of such children have the opportunity to apply for admission to the kindergarten class, but the last word remains with the school management, which in most cases refuses to do so, motivating such a decision by not wanting to have a “knowingly lagging behind” child in the class. On this basis, scandals often arise. Every now and then, articles appear in the newspapers, as some parents file a complaint against the school management, refusing to accept them " summer child"to the preparatory class. Despite this, the issue still remains unresolved, since both sides are right in their own way. The school does not want to accept a child who is less mature than other students, as he may be distracting others children. It is difficult to doubt the logic of this decision. But parents can also be understood. They are concerned that the peers of their child, who were "lucky" to be born a few weeks or even days earlier, will already start their studies, and next year, when their child will go to school, he will indeed lag behind those who by this time will already have completed the preparatory year.

However, the law is the law. And it states that a child must start school on September 1 following their fifth birthday. A child born between January 1 and April 1 has the opportunity to start school on September 1 following his fourth birthday.

School education in England is inextricably linked with the biological age of the child. Upon admission to school, or when changing educational institutions, the grade in which a child is admitted is determined by his age on September 1 of the year in which he begins his education. Sometimes it comes to an incident when a child born on September 2 must go to school a year later or, in the case of a school change, a class lower. The law exists, but far from being applied in all schools, no matter how certain "unfortunate agents" convince you of this. Yes, indeed, the more prestigious and older the school, the more reverently they follow this rule. In my practice, there was a child born on September 2, who was refused to be accepted into one of the schools from our list for this very reason, despite all the parents' attempts to "negotiate". At the same time, there are many schools, sometimes no worse, that are more flexible in their approach to this issue. Here we should return to the previously mentioned feature of "our" education, to the possibility of sending a 6-year-old child to school along with 7-year-old children.

It is because of this that one of the main problems arises when transferring a child to a British school. As we have already said, most English schools make a decision on enrolling in a particular class based on the biological age of the child. But in this case it turns out that the child, despite the difference of 1 year, has already completed this year in his native school, and if we consider the situation in terms of the number school years, such a child is actually "left for the second year."

I am sure that the vast majority of parents do not even notice this, no one tells them about it, they were accepted to school and well. I had a chance to learn this lesson the hard way, when, after signing all the documents and transferring money, dad decided to count the number of school years, and was, to put it mildly, bewildered, realizing that his child was being left for the second year. Fortunately, the situation was resolved, and everyone was satisfied. By this I try to warn other parents who find themselves in a similar situation. Yes, indeed, most schools will not make exceptions for you and will insist on enrollment based on the biological age of the child. But there are schools that agree to "get into position" and accept such a child in a higher class. Here everyone must decide for himself what is best. Insist on a sequence of classes, sometimes sacrificing the level of the school, or, taking advantage of the moment, give the child the opportunity to unlearn a year one grade lower, improve their language, join the team and continue learning with their peers. My task is to convey to you that such an opportunity exists, no matter how your agent beats his chest.

The academic year runs from September to July. It is divided into three parts, trimesters: autumn trimester from September to Christmas (Christmas in the UK in December), spring trimester from January to Easter, and summer trimester from April to July. Each trimester lasts approximately 12 weeks, the holidays dividing each trimester in half (Half term holidays) last about a week each and are held in October, February and May respectively. The holidays between trimesters, Christmas and Easter, last about 2 weeks each and summer about 6-8 weeks.

Compulsory schooling consists of two levels: primary or preparatory ( Preparatory Education) and secondary (Secondary Education ) education. Accordingly, Preparatory (abbreviated as Prep School) and Senior School. Elementary School ends with Year 8 (in most public schools, Year 6). During this period, children take exams twice: at the end of the second (7 years) and sixth (11 years) years of study, respectively, the Key Stage (Key Stage) one and two ( Key Stage 1 ) (Key Stage 2 ). Children enrolled in a parallel American program graduate from Elementary School, while those enrolled in IB , complete the course IBPYP . Test results are entered into a single national database of student performance.

Exams are taken in compulsory disciplines: English (English), Mathematics (Mathematics) and Natural Sciences (Science), a block of chemistry, physics and biology. Other subjects such as History (History), Geography (Geography), Technology (Technology), Music (Music), Arts (Art) and Physical Education (Physical Education or abbreviated PE) are also included in the program, but exams for them on these stages are not given up.

There is also the concept of "Primary Education", what does it mean? There are two sectors of education in the UK, public (state-funded) and private (independent or private). So "Primary Education" means the same initial stage of education in public education as "Preparatory Education" in private. Accordingly, "Pre-preparatory School" in private education means the same as "Pre-school" in public education. By the way, it should be noted that private schools in England are called Public Schools, which literally translates as Public Schools, which often confuse foreigners. You can read more about this issue in our separate article (Public school).

After graduating from Primary School, at the age of 13, students move on to Senior School. In the public sector, this school is sometimes called the Secondary School. Here the confusion arises precisely because of the inaccurate translation. Literally Secondary means "Second". In the Russian translation, it is called the Middle. Therefore, it turns out that the middle and second schools are one and the same. During the training, students also take exams at Key Stage 3 (Year 9, 14 years old) and Key Stage 4 (Year 11, 16 years old).

The fourth stage, according to the traditional British program, is also called GCSE. By parallel programs it is called IGCSE, IBMYP or High School Diploma. This stage is the final one in the school curriculum; children finish it at the age of 16.

Having reached the age of 16, most students, subject to successful passing of the GCSE exams, enter the Sixth Form, that is, a two-year university preparation program. It can be traditional A-level or alternative IB Diploma, IBCC, Pre-U, or American Advanced Placement. At the end of the 2nd year of study, they take exams, according to the results of which they are enrolled in a university. Already at this stage, the student must decide on his future profession and choose exactly those subjects that are necessary for entry into the relevant faculty of the university.

It is at this stage, at the age of 16, that the largest number of foreign students come to study in England. As for those who continued to receive education in their country and arrived a little later, at the age of 18, they are offered a choice of two paths. First: enroll in a one-year, compressed A-level course, which is mandatory for English students (some colleges accept children under 19 years old), or in a one-year Foundation Program (Foundation UK), created specifically for foreign students who want to study in one of the British universities.

The greatest advantage of the British education system is its consistency, interaction and interchangeability of different directions. Regardless of which path the student continues after the age of 16, he will still be able to get a higher education. Let me explain what I mean. At the age of 16, young people have a wide range of opportunities. Despite the fact that they are required to continue their studies for another 2 years, they can either continue to move along the academic path (A-level or alternative programs), combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills (BTEC) or get a working specialty (NVQ or Apprenticeship ). What is meant by the fact that all roads lead to higher education. The education system is built in such a way that for each of the areas there is a clear algorithm of what needs to be done if the student changes his mind and decides to get a higher education. Let's leave the obvious, academic path for now, and consider others, such as BTEC and NVQ. In order not to go into details, BTEC and NVQ are analogues of the diplomas of "our" specialized schools (where children simultaneously receive a specialty) and vocational schools. If the example with specialized schools is not very eloquent, since there are still some differences, then the example with vocational schools speaks for itself. The guys who got bored or did not like to study, who ended up in vocational schools, in the vast majority "shine" the road to "working days", since it is unlikely that they will be able to enter a university with such a diploma. In the UK, the opposite is true. The system is designed so that a young person who has had time to try the "working life" during his studies, having received the NVQ certificate, can enter the university on its basis. Yes, you may have to start with a special preparatory course and choose from not the best universities, but it's better than nothing. Moreover, those who retained the desire to start as soon as possible labor activity during further education, worked for several years and only then realized that it is better to get a higher education, they have the opportunity to find their old NVQ diploma and enter a university a few years later. Many people studied with me at the university, who managed to work for several years after school, realized that they needed to learn more, and entered the university.

After successfully completing one of the university preparation programs or after obtaining a working specialty, students of their choice apply to the university. There is even an opportunity to “send” documents to several universities you like to increase the chances of success. Each faculty has its own requirements for applicants. A mandatory need is a list of major subjects and academic performance in them, so the right choice and diligence during the Sixth Form are simply necessary.

After 3 years of study at the university, students receive a Bachelor's degree (Bachelor Degree). Further education is called Postgraduate Study, the first stage of which is a master's degree. At this stage, a lot of foreigners come to the UK. The best path for them would be the Preparatory Master's program ( ).

For a better understanding, I suggest you look at the diagram of possible training options in the appendix to this article.

We sincerely hope that our article will help you deal with the incomprehensibleeducation system in the UK. Some private schools, following centuries-old traditions, offer their own education system and age limits for each stage of education. It is better to find out more about this before you submit the documents.

Our advice! The education of the child should be planned in advance, starting from the "reverse". That is, first decide in which country and at which university you "see" your child. Then determine the list of Sixth Form schools / colleges from which this university is accepted, or take a closer look at the Further Education college option. For many, this has become an excellent alternative in terms of financial costs and help with the definition of a future profession. Next, you need to find secondary schools that prepare for admission to a specific Sixth Form or Further Education. Complete the plan with a selection primary schools and we will help you with this!

The systems of higher education in Russia and England (Great Britain) have their own similarities and differences. It is in our educational institutions that everyone is equal and can study regardless of anything. And there there is a huge selection of schools classified by gender (schools for boys, for girls, mixed), age of students, degree of preparedness, etc. And yet both of them are recognized worldwide as one of the best.

The modern education system in England: scheme, history, structure, features

If you want to learn more about the types of education in the UK, as well as compare the education systems of Russia and England, read on.

So, let's start from the very beginning - with history!

A bit of the history of higher education in the UK

Higher education in Great Britain began to develop actively in the XII century. It was then that the universities of Cambridge and Oxford were founded, which continued to be the only ones in England until the beginning of the 19th century. True, in the Scottish St. Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, starting from the 15th century, universities also began to be founded.

In the 19th century, the industrial revolution swept the kingdom. It was at this time that the people experienced an urgent need for the training of experienced managers and administrators. Demand creates supply, and now new universities have begun to appear everywhere: in London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Reading.

All these universities were built of red brick, so that people could immediately notice their difference from the gray stone walls of Oxford and Cambridge. That is why they began to be called red-brick.

After the Second World War, modern universities began to appear in Great Britain, which were supposed to satisfy scientific and technological progress. This is how the "glass" (due to their modernity) universities of Sussex, Nottingham, Exeter, Kiel, Warwick, Essex and Kent arose.

The third great wave of "universitization" came at the end of the 20th century. Then the authorities began to actively convert polytechnic schools into universities.

The differences between the universities of the old and new models are barely noticeable, but they still exist. For example, new institutions of higher education are focused on communication with commercial and industrial enterprises, trying to adjust programs in conjunction with the requests of employers.

However, the old universities are also trying to retrain and get on this right path. They are interested in building links with the national and local economies. But this does not mean that such traditional theoretical disciplines as literary criticism, literature, philosophy, history, natural sciences have disappeared here.

Foreign students are most often attracted by the old universities, which are widely known abroad

The UK education system in general

As in many European countries The education system in England consists of five stages:

• preschool,
• initial,
• average,
• preparation for higher education
• higher education.

The first three stages for UK students under 16 are compulsory.

By type of functioning schools are divided into:

• privateschools- boarding houses(Independent Schools). They are considered more prestigious and 85% are intended exclusively for English children. These independent institutions are not only well equipped technically. They own several hundred hectares of land on which all school real estate is located: educational buildings, sports clubs, swimming pools, residences for residents.
• state(State Schools). Free for everyone. Designed mainly for citizens of the kingdom and for foreign children 8-18 years old, whose parents have the right to permanent residence.

All of them adhere to a single state minimum, but each school has the right to have its own "zest" that will attract different audiences.

We will not talk about the features of preschool and primary school education. We are interested in a more conscious age at which we can think or start building a career.

Secondary School or High School

The senior school caters for children aged 14 to 16. The main task of this instance is to prepare students for the state exam, after which they receive certificates of general secondary education called GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education).

In the training program, schoolchildren pass 7-9 subjects that are mandatory for passing the state exam.

From the age of 16, students are intensively preparing for entering a university. After completing the training, they can choose one of two options for the development of events:

• get a job (usually in the service sector);
• enter university.

If they choose the second path, they will have to go through training courses A levels is a two-year program during which examinations must be taken at the end of each year. During the first, 4-5 specialized subjects are offered for study, in the next - 3-4 more subjects. Moreover, the student chooses each subject based on how useful they will be for his future specialty.

If the program is successfully completed, the student can easily enter the chosen university.

And there is such an interesting thing as University Foundation Year (UFY) - the same, only for a shorter period of study (9 months). This program is suitable for the preparation of international students, provided that they have a high level of English. Here, students are busy studying not only specialized disciplines, but also studying academic English in more detail.

Students who successfully complete this program can easily enter any higher educational institution. BUT! They cannot apply to study at those universities that are in the TOP-5 universities in the country (among them Oxford and Cambridge).

Studying in these universities is possible only after passing the A-Level student program

Higher education

Higher education is a program of study, after which the student is awarded a degree:

• Bachelor Degree - bachelor's degree,
• Master Degree - master's degree,
• Doctoral or PhD Degree - a doctorate degree.

Let's take a closer look at what each of them is.

Bachelor degree

This is the first stage of higher education, which is assigned to a student of a higher educational institution, subject to the successful completion of three courses. But there are universities, the term of study of which increases this bar to 4 years due to passing Sandwich courses - Mandatory work experience.

There are also particularly “difficult” industries, in which you will have to study for 7 years to obtain a bachelor's degree (dentistry, medicine, architecture, etc.).

There are 7 types of bachelor's degrees depending on the specialization:

• VA- Bachelor of Arts;
• BEd- Bachelor of Pedagogical Sciences;
• EEng- Bachelor of Technical Sciences (engineering and engineering);
• BSc- Bachelor of Natural Sciences;
• LLB- Bachelor of Law;
• BMus- Bachelor of Music;
• VM- Bachelor of Medicine.

Master degree

The second stage is distinguished by a wealth of specializations and directions and is considered postgraduate education.

Depending on the chosen program, you can take a course to improve your knowledge, take a master's program in science and technology, etc.

Here you will have to unlearn after a bachelor's degree for another 1-2 years, attending lectures and practical classes. At the end, each student is obliged to provide, completed in accordance with all the rules, as well as to pass the GOS. Only in case of successful completion of these tests, the student is awarded a diploma and a master's degree.

In the case of studying under a research program, students work on a diploma throughout their studies. And at the end they are awarded the degree of Master of Philosophy (M.Phil - Master of Philosophy).

PhD degree

The doctoral program will be entirely devoted to research work.

Its duration is 2-3 years. At the end, the student needs to publish the results of his work in specialized publications. Besides, he'll have to.

If you managed to successfully cope with all these tasks - congratulations! You have become the proud owner of a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D. Degree).

Tuition fees in the UK (higher education)

Higher education in the UK is paid for everyone: both for their own and for foreigners. But for visiting students it will be more expensive!

British citizens have a unique right to receive higher education on credit. You can give it not immediately, but after receiving a diploma and a successful job. Even a minimum wage of £21,000 a year will help cover the debt.

You will laugh, but the whole comic of the situation is this: if you did not receive a diploma or did not get a job with a minimum wage, you do not have to repay the debt!

And here are approximate prices so that you can realistically assess your financial capabilities and the capabilities of your parents. So, one academic course after receiving a regular secondary education will cost for foreigners:

• classroom lesson - 5000-7000 pounds;
• laboratory classes (in natural sciences) - 6000-9000 pounds;
• practical exercises - 15000-17000 pounds.

Before applying, try to find out if the university of your choice requires you to pay extra for the use of classrooms and laboratories. Some universities have a surcharge for the use of work materials (for example, photographic materials in a design course).

When planning, do not forget about additional costs:

• use of books and textbooks (300-500 pounds annually),
• new clothes (500 pounds);
• accommodation (depending on the location from 6000 to 9000 pounds per year).

Choosing a UK College/University

Now, in fact, let's talk about the university itself, which is worth stopping at.

Looking through the entire list of higher education institutions in the Kingdom, you may find that many of them offer the same course of study. The catch is that the depth of study of the subject can be different in different universities. For example, in some the course is taught in a shortened version, in the other - in more depth.

The most important thing when entering an English university is to decide on the specialty that you like. The main “problem” of the UK education system is that a huge layer of responsibility for education falls on the shoulders of the student himself, and not on the teachers and the university as a whole, as in our country.

Studying here, you will have to get used to the idea that the lion's share of study and research will be carried out independently. Here, no one will force or intimidate you. If you want success, work hard! Therefore, one cannot live here without great enthusiasm.

By the way! For our readers there is now a 10% discount on

If you choose a specialty for reasons of prestige or for other reasons, you will fail 90% of the time.

When choosing a university, it is important to pay attention not only to the program itself, but also to the living conditions that the university offers. Here are the main questions that it is important to know the answer to before entering an English college / university:

1. Does the university have its own housing? Does the university provide accommodation for international students? Do foreigners get a place guaranteed or on a common basis with citizens?
2. Does the institution have its own library? Lack of or poorly equipped library will force you to spend a lot of time and money additionally, because you will have to contact the inter-university library service. Old universities, as a rule, have collected an impressive database of books during their existence. The new ones will have more modern applied funds.
3. Are there sports facilities? Can students use those that are nearby?
4. Is there a special career guidance course for beginners?? Do I need to pay for it and how much?
5. Are there all facilities for disabled students?

The quality of education in the UK

Every year, numerous services and publications conduct their own research, as a result of which you can find out the rating of both a particular educational institution of interest and the education system of a particular country.

The UK traditionally occupies the highest places in these university rankings (1, 2 or 3 positions), so you can safely choose this place to get your higher education.

The only thing left is to find time and money to enter. Well, a lot of knowledge! You will have to study very well at your school and write all the tests perfectly. If you do not want to waste your potential on local education, you always have at hand, which will easily cope with any task.