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 Pre-school:
Children aged between 2 and 5 may either stay at home, attend a nursery school, or to be looked after by a registered childminder.
Primary:
Children have to go to school (or receive home schooling) after the age of 5. A primary school educates children up to 11. It is sometimes divided into an infant school (for children aged 5-7) and a junior school (for children aged 7-11), or sometimes into a lower school, middle school and upper school.
Secondary:
Children must attend a secondary school (or receive home schooling) from the age of 11 until they are 16. This type of school is sometimes called a high school. The exams taken at the end of this are called GCSEs, which is the main qualification to be taken by 14 to 16 year olds. Most schools are comprehensives, which are free and open to children of all abilities including both boys and girls (they are co-educational). In some areas there are selective schools known as grammar schools which admit the most able children using an entrance test (known as 11+ or eleven-plus): the non-selective schools in these areas are known as secondary moderns.
Six forms A Levels:
Qualifications focused on traditional studies. Students, mainly aged 16 to 18, can choose from a wide range of academic subjects, as well as some "applied" (work-related) subjects. After graduation, you can use A levels to go on to higher education, or go straight looking for a job. A-levels normally include one year AS level and one year A2. The AS level can be considered either a free standing qualification, or be valued as the first half of the full A Level. A2 is not a separate qualification, but rather the second half of a full A-level. It is designed to deepen the knowledge you gained during the AS level.
Further education (FE):
Courses which are at or lower than the standard of an A-level exam. Depend on the type of subjects and level of courses, you can choose to study at an independent further education fee-paying colleges. Vocational colleges teach practical, job-related subjects. The most common qualifications taken in the colleges are: HNCs, HNDs, and NVQs etc.
HNCs (Higher national certificates) and HNDs (Higher national diploma):
They are work-related (vocational) qualifications which are designed to give you the skills to put that knowledge to effective use in a particular job. HNCs can take one year full time and two years part time to complete, while HNDs take two years full time and in many cases, a few years part time to complete.
NVQs:
NVQ stands for National Vocational Qualification. It is a 'competence-based' qualification: this means you learn practical, work-related tasks designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge to do a job effectively. Taking an NVQ could be appropriate if you already have skills and want to improve them, or if you are starting from scratch. There is no maximum time limit to complete an NVQ, however, many learners take about one year to complete an NVQ at level 1 and 2, and around two years for an NVQ at level 3. They are assessed on practical assignments and a portfolio of evidence.
EFL:
EFL is know in the UK as a qualification of teaching English to foreign students.
BTECs and OCRs:
They are particular types of work-related qualifications, available in a wide range of subjects. You will be equipped with the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for.
Higher Education (HE):
Courses above the standard of an A-level exam, normally offered by universities. EU students pay home fees, while non-EU students need to pay much higher overseas fees. HE contains different level of education including: foundation course, undergraduate course, and postgraduate course.
Foundation:
A one year course normally taken by students who have not taken A-Level exams as preparation for a full university course in the UK.
Undergraduate course/ Bachelor degree:
Typically three years of full-time study (four years in Scotland; some colleges in England also offer two years accelerated undergraduate course) and leads to the award of a degree. A sandwich course includes periods of work experience as well as periods of study. Bachelor degree may include BA (Bachelor of Art), BSc (Bachelor of Science), BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) and BMed (Bachelor of Medicine) etc.
Postgraduate course:
Include Master degrees (MA, MSc, MEng, LLM Master of Law etc), which is either taught or research-based, and PhDs. Normally you need to have a bachelor degree to apply master programs. Some people with work experience may go to private business schools to study for an MBA (Master of Business Administration). A postgraduate certificate is a qualification typically takes 9 months to complete and awarded after a bachelor's degree. While a postgraduate diploma is a qualification more advanced than a postgraduate certificate, but with specialised knowledge that is less extensive than a Master's degree. In the UK, a postgraduate certificate normally represents 60 academic credits, whereas a postgraduate diploma is 120 credits and a full Master's is 180 credits.
Doctorates:
A doctorate qualification gives you the opportunity to undertake an original piece of research. It will usually take at least three years of full-time study to complete. Throughout the course, you are expected to work independently with the guidance of a supervisor. On successful completion of the program you will be awarded PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), DEng (Doctor of Engineering), and EdD (Doctor of Education) etc.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this website is for general guidance ONLY.
We are not responsible for any loss or expense which results from relying on this information.
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