Hello timwh-ga
Thank-you for your question.
At first glance your question seems a rather simple question but it is
complicated by the fact that the UK is split into four parts -
England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. In each of these
countries the education system is slightly different but I will try to
equate each for you.
1 - Some high school or less
In the UK, it is compulsary for all pupils to be schooled until they
are 16 (Year 11). At this point in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland they take their GCSE examinations (these used to be called
O-Levels). In Scotland these examinations are called the Standard
Grade.
Suggested term: GCSE Level education (eg GCSE, O-Levels or Standards)
2 - Completed high school
After GCSE's pupils can either leave the education system or take
further advanced level examinations. These usually take 2 years.
These exams are known as A-levels, S-levels and AS levels (although
S-levels are considerably rarer and more difficult to pass) in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland these exams are
known as Highers and Advanced Highers.
Suggested term: A-Level education (eg A, AS, S-Levels, Highers)
3 - Some college
After A-levels, a student would usually progress to university as an
undergraduate. Courses tend to last 3 or 4 years and it is usual for
examinations to be passed each year for the student to progress.
Suggested term: Undergraduate education (eg University examinations
but not completed degree)
4 - Completed college
After completing university a student becomes a graduate of the course
they were studying. If this was a science subject it they would
become a BSc (Batchelor of Science), if the subject was an arts they
would become a BA (Batchelor of the Arts).
Suggested term: Degree or Graduate education (eg BSc, BA)
5 - Post graduate
A graduate can then study for a number of post-graduate courses at
university. These can range from a one-year course to a full
doctorate (which can take up to 5 years or more to obtain).
Suggested term: Post-graduate education (eg PhD, MSc, MA)
6 - Trade/technical school
These courses are normally studied after GCSE or A-levels in the UK.
HNC's (Higher National Certificates) usually take 1 year to complete
and HND's (Higher National Diplomas) usually take 2 years to complete.
NVQ's (National Vocational Qualifications) can also be studied and
include some workplace assessment and are generally taken while
already working in a job.
Suggested term: Vocational education (eg NVQ, HNC, HND)
If you require any further information on this subject please ask for
clarification and I will do my best to respond swiftly.
Some useful pages for further knowledge of the UK education system are:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_school
http://www.ukstudentlife.com/Course/Guide.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_England
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Northern_Ireland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Scotland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Wales |
