Context

1.1. The devolved character of education in the UK

The nations of the UK - Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England – each have

jurisdiction over their own education systems. The systems in Wales, Northern

Ireland and England are similar, but Scotland’s is very different. This paper will be

mainly about England, which has 84% of the population of the UK.

K-12 Education System in UK

Each of the countries of the United Kingdom having separate education systems under separate governments. The
"National Curriculum", provides a framework for education in England and Wales between the ages of 5 and 18; in
Scotland between the ages 5 and 14, and in Northern Ireland ‘the common curriculum’ provides framework for
education.

The school education system in the UK is split into "key stages". Key stages 1 and 2 refer to primary education and
at 11 years old a student will go on to secondary school and finish key stages 3 and 4. Student’s performance is
evaluated at the end of each stage. The most significant evaluations happen at age 16 when students go for their
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). After students finish their GCSE's they have the option to move
onto further education and then higher education, or finish school and enter into the corporate or business world.

 Key Stage 1: 5 to 7 years old

 Key Stage 2: 7 to 11 years old
 Key Stage 3: 11 to 14 years old
 Key Stage 4: 14 to 16 years old
 Compulsory Education It is mandatory for children in the UK to attend primary and secondary education
which runs from about 5 years old until the student is 16 years old.

K-12 Education: Classification Age 3–4: In the UK, many children start their education aged 3 or 4 by attending a
nursery school, or a Playgroup of a primary school. 

 Age 4–16: Full-time education is mandatory for all UK children between the ages of 5 and 16. All UK
children are entitled to a free place at a state school between these ages. 
 Primary education: Children aged four or five up to 11 or 13 can go for Primary education.  Primary
education is known as primary school, junior school, and preparatory and pre-preparatory school. The term ‘pre-
preparatory’ and ‘preparatory’ are most commonly used in the independent sector. Primary education lays down the
foundation for future learning’s.
 Secondary education : Students aged 11 or 13 to 16 can go for Secondary education. Secondary
education is referred to as secondary school, high school and senior school. The term ‘senior school’ is more
commonly used in the independent sector.

From the age of 11-14, students will study a wide range of subjects such as Math, Sciences, English, etc. and when
they reach 14, they enter into their first year of a 2 year process known as GCSE or SCE in Scotland.  GCSE's is of 2
years and mark the end of compulsory education for students in the UK. In the final two years of secondary school,
most students in UK take one of the following sets of qualifications:

 GCSEs: The General Certificate of Secondary Education is an academic qualification taken by students of
the age group 14 to 16 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 
 International Baccalaureate Middle Years programme: The International Baccalaureate (IB) is available
at an increasing number of schools in the UK. Students study languages, arts, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical
education and technology.
 Standard grades and Intermediates (Scottish qualifications): Standard Grades take two years of study
in the third and fourth year of secondary school, with an exam at the end of the fourth year. There are three levels of
study at Standard Grades: credit, general and foundation. Exams are taken at two levels – credit and general, or
general and foundation. Intermediate levels-1 and 2 are for students who have cleared Standard Grades at general or
foundation level, and for any student wanting to take up a new course of study at school or college.

Post-16 Qualifications
After GCSEs, students may opt to follow either an academic or vocational paths of study. Students on a vocational
path can choose to obtain a work qualification. Students continuing on an academic track attend sixth form colleges. 

School Admissions Procedure for School Admissions in the UK:

Searching and Choosing Schools

 Find schools in your area and the admission criteria for the schools you’re interested in by contacting your council.
People can also apply outside their local council area. To know about your council area, visit local council  .
You can find out more about the schools by visiting the school. Most schools have open days. By attending open
days, you get to know better about the schools, admission process, education etc. 

Admission Criteria All schools have different admission criteria.  

School Entry Requirements Most UK state schools, and some independent schools, major entry requirements are
close proximity, i.e. distance of the student’s place to the school. However, some independent schools and state
schools have academic entry requirements.

Interview: For some schools, interview is an important part of the admissions. Student as well as the parents has to
undergo an interview process. They serve as a chance for you to ask questions about the schools and course, and
for the school to find out what you are looking for.

 Entrance Exams: Many schools hold entrance exams. Entrance exams and levels vary.
 English Language Skills: Most schools require students to have taken an English Language course before
they begin their studies or enroll. 

Grading System in Secondary Schools

In the UK, alphabetical system of grading is followed, i.e. from A to E wherein A means excellent/outstanding; B
refers to above average; C means average; D refers to below average; and E refers to fail. Highest on scale is grade
A and E is the lowest on scale. C and D refer to pass and fail respectively.

International Students

 Students from the European Economic Area (EEA) can attend a UK state school and have the same
rights to education as British citizens. The European Economic Area includes all member states of the European
Union (EU) in collaboration with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.
 Students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) must go for an independent, fee-paying
school. 
 British overseas territories citizens and British Overseas citizens must attend independent school, fee-
paying schools. Many of British overseas territories citizens also hold British citizenship. British citizens are eligible to
Free State school places.

The education system in the UK is divided into four main parts, primary education, secondary education, further
education and higher education. Children in the UK have to legally attend primary and secondary education which
runs from about 5 years old until the student is 16 years old.

Generally key stages 1 and 2 will be undertaken at primary school and at 11 years old a student will move onto
secondary school and finish key stages 3 and 4.

Students are assessed at the end of each stage. The most important assessment occurs at age 16 when students
pursue their GCSE's or General Certificate of Secondary Education. Once students complete their GCSE's they have
the choice to go onto further education and then potential higher education, or finish school and go into the working
world.

Our overview of the education system in the UK is divided into five main sections:

Primary Education
Primary education begins in the UK at age 5 and continues until age 11, comprising key stages one and two under
the UK educational system. Please visit the British Council page for more information on primary education.
Secondary Education From age 11 to 16, students will enter secondary school for key stages three and four and to
start their move towards taking the GCSE's - learn more about secondary education in the UK and what it will involve.
Primary and secondary education is mandatory in the UK; after age 16, education is optional.

Further Education Once a student finishes secondary education they have the option to extend into further education
to take their A-Levels, GNVQ's, BTEC's or other such qualifications. UK students planning to go to college or
university must complete further education.

Higher Education Probably the most important subject area on this site, this explains more about the higher education
system in the UK and how it works for international students. 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.”
Entry Requirements Each level of education in the UK has varying requirements which must be satisfied in order to

gain entry at that level - learn more about the education entry requirements for the UK.
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is a set of exams taken in England, Wales, Northern
Ireland and other British territories. They are usually taken by students aged 15–16, after two years of study. Some
pupils can take their exams early if their teachers think the students are capable. Most students taking their GCSEs
study between 5 and 12 subjects. All pupils have to study English, mathematics and science until they are 15-16.
They do not have to take the GCSE exams, but the large majority do so. In Wales, students must also study Welsh
until they are 14. Most schools require that a pupil passes 5 or more GCSE exams at grades C or above before they
can move on to study A-levels.

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) emphasizes intellectual challenge. It
encourages students aged 11 to 16 to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, preparing
them for success in further study and in life.

Standard Grade

Standard Grade had been the main type of qualification in schools for 15 and 16 year olds, and was generally taken
over two years in third and fourth year at secondary school. Learners typically studied seven subjects including
mathematics and English. There were three levels: Credit (grade 1 and 2, SCQF level 5), General (grade 3 and 4,
SCQF level 4), and Foundation (grade 5 and 6, SCQF level 3). Learners usually took exams at two levels - credit and
general, or general and foundation, to make sure they had the best chance of achieving as high a grade as possible.
Learners who did not achieve a grade 1 to 6, but did complete the course, were awarded a Grade 7. Standard
Grades were explicitly designed to offer assessment and certification for all, and this was reflected in the high levels
of attainment. The grade was established in 1986 and this is the final year it will be used.