How does high school in the UK work?

Secondary Education. Secondary education (including what they call high school in the UK, sixth form, and “college”) lasts for five to seven years. Students between 12 and 16 years old are legally required to attend a secondary school in the UK. This stage of compulsory education is called “lower secondary”.

How does high school work in United Kingdom?

Secondary education is divided into Key Stage 3 for ages 11–13 and Key Stage 4 for ages 14–15. At the end of Year 11 (at age 15 or 16, depending on their birthday) students typically take General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams or other Level 1 or Level 2 qualifications.

What is year 13 in the UK?

In schools in England and Wales, Year 13 is the thirteenth year after Reception. It is normally the final year of Key Stage 5 in England and since 2015 it is compulsory to participate in some form of education or training in this year for students who finished Year 11 at an educational establishment in England.

How old are 12th graders in UK?

England and Wales

Students are usually 16–17 in Year 12 and 17–18 in Year 13. While the school leaving age in the rest of the UK is 16 years old, in 2015 education in England became compulsory until the age of 18. After this age, students can leave education if they choose without necessarily completing year 13.

What does year 9 mean in UK?

Year 9 is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England and Wales, Australia and New Zealand. It is the tenth or eleventh year of compulsory education. Children in this year are generally between 13 and 14, with it being mostly equivalent to Eighth grade in the United States.

The UK Education System - What You Need To Know

Is school in the UK harder than the US?

Curriculum: In the UK, students typically study fewer subjects in greater depth, with a greater emphasis on exams at the end of each academic year. In the US, students are often required to take a broader range of subjects, with more opportunities for elective courses and continuous assessment throughout the year.

What do Brits call high school?

The closest equivalent is a 'secondary school', and indeed some English secondary schools have 'high school' in their name. But the school system in England does not quite line up with the system that most Americans would be familiar with. The schools are: Infant school: Ages 4–7.

Do British people call high school college?

US “high school” = UK “school”. US High school graduation = UK does not traditionally exist. US “School” / College = UK University. In the UK some high schools (schools) have the name “College” in them.

Is college free in the UK?

In practice, higher education (HE) remains free at the point of entry in England for a high minority of students. The state pays for the poorest or low income to access a university, thus university attendance remains high. There are record levels of disadvantaged students accessing a university in England.

Can my 14 year old go to college instead of school UK?

Details. Further education and sixth-form colleges are able to enrol students aged 14 to 16 on a full-time study programme and receive funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency ( ESFA ).

Can I study for free in UK?

Many courses in reading, writing and basic maths are free, and you may not have to pay for tuition if you're under 24 and studying for your first qualification equivalent to GCSE or A level. Find out about financial support, for example for your course or day-to-day living costs.

Which is better American or British school?

The American curriculum places more emphasis on testing and assessment, with standardized tests like the SAT and ACT being a key factor in college admissions. The British curriculum places more emphasis on coursework and exams, with students taking a series of national exams called GCSEs and A-levels.

Is UK college like high school?

The term high school is more frequently used in Scotland, which is where the term originates. The main difference between high school and college in the UK is that one is part of the statutory education system and the other is part of the optional further education (FE) system.

Do British high schools have houses?

A very active House System promotes the integration of the different age groups all the way from Pre-Nursery to Year 13. On entering the school, all students are allocated to a House and, in principle, members of the same family will be allocated to the same House.

What is freshman called in UK?

Students at the beginning of their first year of university are often known in England and Wales as freshers; however, the term 'first years' is also used. The first week of term before lessons are widely known as freshers' week where there are usually no classes and students take part in induction events and fairs.

What do Brits call college?

One of the most significant linguistic differences between American and British postsecondary education is the term that each nation uses to identify it: Americans generally understand postsecondary schooling as “college,” while Brits understand it as “university.”

What age do Brits start high school?

In England, secondary school typically starts at the age of 11. Students usually begin secondary education in Year 7 and continue until Year 11, covering ages 11 to 16. After completing Year 11, students may choose to continue their education in a sixth form or college for further studies.

Is UK school cheaper than US?

In the UK, tuition fees are generally lower than in the US but can still be a significant expense for international students. The UK has a tiered fee system where tuition fees vary depending on the level of the program, with undergraduate degrees generally having lower fees than postgraduate degrees.

Is it cheaper to go to school in the UK than the US?

The cost of education at UK and US universities differ substantially. While all universities set slightly different fees, generally speaking the cost of a university education in the US is higher than in the UK.

Is UK grading easier than US?

There is nothing “easier” about a grading system for a student. A teacher might find it easier to mark in grades A to F than 0 to 100, but in my experience when I marked my UK maths homework I assigned I used a ten out of ten system that was used by my math teacher when I was a student in the US.

What age is college in England?

College in England and Wales usually refers to education post 16 but not at a University. However, to confuse you certain Universities such as Oxford and Durham are divided into Colleges. “Kids” tend to remain in secondary education (High School) from age 11 until they are 18 and they then proceed to University.

How many years is college in UK?

A full-time bachelor's degree normally takes three years to complete. Part-time options are also available at many universities so that you can work alongside your studies or learn at a more relaxed pace.

How does college work in the UK?

The academic term in the UK is a bit more varied. While most also use the semester system, the trimester and quarter systems are used in some universities. Many schools start in September or October and end in May or June, making for a slightly longer academic year.