How does the education system in the UK work?

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In summary, the education system in the UK is divided into four main stages: primary education (ages 4-11), secondary education (ages 11-16), further education (ages 16-18), and higher education (ages 18 and above). Compulsory education begins at age 5 and continues until age 18. Primary schools focus on basic subjects, while secondary schools offer a broader curriculum, culminating in GCSE exams. After secondary school, students can choose to pursue A-levels or vocational qualifications in further education, leading to university or other higher education options. The system is regulated by government bodies, with variations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
  • #36
gwnorth said:
Yes, but you have to be in school until you're 18 so if you don't do A levels you're still required to do further education or training.

https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school
Only with A level you can go to university?
 
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  • #38
user079622 said:
Only with A level you can go to university?
AFAIK for entrance to UK universities, it’s mainly A-levels but could can also be:
BTECs
Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers
Welsh Baccalaureate
International Baccalaureate
T-levels (only introduced in the last few years)

Different entry requirements apply to overseas students typically based on performance in their own country’s examination system.

There may be additional entrance tests for some courses and universities (e.g. medicine, Oxford, Cambridge).`

No doubt there are exceptons but I’d guess that covers well-over 90% of entrants.
 
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  • #39
user079622 said:
Only with A level you can go to university?

That is different for international students. You need to check the requirements for each country at the particular university.

An interesting university is the University of Buckingham:
https://www.buckingham.ac.uk/

Have a look at the entrance requirements for your country. UK three-year degrees are the equivalent of US 4 year degrees (strangely, Australian 3-year degrees are not). They do a UK 3-year degree in two years. So, you can do a US 4 year degree in two years. The entrance requirements are also interesting for US students. One year of college studies is one of the possible admission requirements. Using Dual Credit is now common in many US High Schools, or if you homeschool, you can often meet that by year 11, leaving just two years to get your degree (dual credit subjects are one semester but count as a year HS credit).

People here would likely be interested in computing or medicine.

Thanks
Bill
 
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