Education In Britain

Education in the United Kingdom is a devolved matter with each of

the countries of the United Kingdom having separate systems under separate
governments: the UK Government is responsible for England; the Scottish
Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are
responsible for Scotland, Wales andNorthern Ireland, respectively.
In each country there are five stages of education: early years, primary,
secondary, Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE).
The law states that full time education is compulsory for all children between
the ages of 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) and 16, the Compulsory School Age (CSA).
The National Curriculum (NC), established in 1988, provides a framework for
education in England and Wales between the ages of 5 and 18.
Higher education

In 2012, over 420,000 international students from 200 nations chose to study
in the United Kingdom for their higher education, joining over two million local
students. In addition, over 500,000 international students gained a UK qualification
outside the UK.
UK higher education students are generally aged 18 or over (17 in Scotland),
and have usually already achieved further education qualifications, such as A-levels,
the International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers or an equivalent qualification from
the UK or another country. Many have completed a foundation or access course too.
UK higher education is split into two levels:

Undergraduate programmes include bachelors degrees, foundation degrees,

higher national diplomas and more
Postgraduate programmes include masters degrees, MBAs, PhDs,
doctorates and more. Usually you need an undergraduate qualification to enter
a postgraduate programme.

At undergraduate level the main qualifications offered are:

Bachelors or undergraduate degree: Academic study designed to help you

gain a thorough understanding of a subject. Full-time, this normally takes three
years to complete (four in some cases). There are different titles of degree,
such as: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of
Education (BEd) and Bachelor of Engineering (BEng).
Degrees are classified as either Ordinary or Honours this can vary between
universities and colleges. Generally an 'ordinary' or 'unclassified' degree may
be awarded if a student has completed a full degree course but hasn't obtained
the total required passes sufficient to merit a third-class honours degree. In
Scotland, an 'ordinary' degree is usually a three-year full-time course, whereas
an 'honours' degree is usually a four-year full-time course.

Foundation degree: The equivalent of the first two years of an honours

degree, this may be studied full- or part-time, and consists of academic study
integrated with relevant work-based learning undertaken with an employer. It
may be studied as a standalone qualification or upon completion, you may
progress to the final year of an honours degree.

Diploma of Higher Education: Two year, full-time DipHE courses are

normally equivalent to the first two years of a degree and can often be used for
entry to the third year of a related degree course. They can be academic, but
are mainly linked to a particular job or profession such as nursing and social
work.

Certificate of Higher Education: Focuses on either a particular job or

profession, or academic study. Equivalent to the first year of a full honours
degree, they are the most basic level of qualification that can be gained in

higher education and show that you are capable of studying successfully at
university level. You can use a CertHE to gain confidence to study successfully
at university level, change careers or progress your current career, or to
achieve a foundation degree, DipHE or full honours degree through additional
study.

Higher National Diploma (HND): A two-year course which, if completed with

high grades, can lead to the third year of a degree.

At postgraduate level, the main qualifications offered are:

Master's degree. A masters qualification gives you the opportunity to further

your knowledge of a particular subject or to go in a completely different
direction using the skills youve gained from your undergraduate studies. A
masters degree is an academic qualification awarded to individuals who
successfully demonstrate a higher level of expertise in a particular field of study.
You can study one in almost any subject, but there are two main types of
masters: taught and research.

MBA courses. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is an

internationally recognised qualification which gives you the skills you need for a
successful management career. MBA courses cover topics such as business
policy and strategy, operational and strategic management, marketing, market
research, finance and accounting, IT, human resource management,
leadership, entrepreneurship and international trade.

PhDs/doctorates. A Doctor of Philosophy, or doctorate (PhD/DPhil) is the

highest academic level a student can achieve. These degrees are very
demanding and often lead to careers in academia. Doctorate courses can be
applied for by students who achieve at least a 2:1 result at undergraduate level.
Although you dont necessarily need a masters degree, it is usual practice to
undertake one before a PhD.

Postgraduate diplomas and qualifications. For those wishing to continue

their studies beyond an undergraduate degree, a variety of options are
available. Postgrad certificates and diplomas allow students to study something
new or build on the skills and knowledge already gained during their first
degree.

Professional and vocational qualifications. A professional or vocational

qualification is usually taken to improve skills or gain attributes required by
specific jobs. Most awards will involve practical training, giving you the
opportunity to experience a job first-hand.

Conversion courses. A conversion course is a vocational postgraduate

qualification usually taken by graduates wanting to change subject area after
their first degree and better prepare themselves for the job market.

For undergraduate students from the EU/EEA, these are the maximum
tuition fees (but many institutions charge less):

In England and Wales, up to 9,000 per year

In Northern Ireland, up to 3,575 per year

In Scotland, tuition is free.

There are a number of good scholarship and financial support schemes for UK
higher education courses. Demand can be high, but it is well worth taking a look at
what is available.
Higher education Entry requirements
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Course entry requirements

Every UK higher education course sets its own entry requirements. These entry
requirements are there to ensure that you have the right skills and knowledge to
successfully complete the course.
You can see the entry requirements for each undergraduate and postgraduate course
on the university or colleges website.

For undergraduate courses you usually need to have achieved further

education qualifications (such as A-levels, International Baccalaureate, Scottish
Highers, or equivalent qualifications from your country) in related subjects. Find
out more at UCAS or ask your chosen university or college.

For postgraduate courses you usually need to have achieved a relevant

undergraduate qualification.

In some cases, work experience may count towards entry to a course.

If English isnt your first language, the university or college may ask you to
take an English language test or show your English language qualifications
before you can enrol. This may also be necessary for your visa application. This
page on the UK Visas and Immigration website gives information about English
language requirements for Tier 4 visas.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications meet the entry requirements, talk
to the course provider or visit the UK NARIC website.