Understanding the UK Education System

The UK education system and the exams you complete along the way may be quite different from the education system in your home country.

This images below show the UK school years and the exams that students work towards:

  • SATs in year 6
  • GCSEs in year 11
  • A Levels in year 13

Primary school

Primary school years. Age 4-5 is reception, age 5-6 is year 1, age 6-7 is year 2, age 7-8 is year 3, age 8-9 is year 4, age 9-10 is year 5 and age 10-11 is year 6. Standard Attainment Tests are done in year 6.

Secondary school

Secondary school years are: age 11-12 is year 7, age 12-13 is year 8, age 13-14 is year 9, age 14-15 is year 10, age 15-16 is year 11. GCSEs are doing in year 11

GCSEs are level 2 qualifications and many jobs, as well as universities, require a GCSE at grade 4 in Maths and English (and possibly other specific subjects). For adult students, a Functional Skills Level 2 is sometimes accepted as an alternative.

Six form/college

Six form college years are: age 16-17 is year 12, age 17-18 is year 13. A Levels, IB diplomas and university foundation is done in year 13.

A Levels are level 3 qualifications and students complete study at this level to be accepted onto a degree course at a university. Access courses are an alternative to A Levels for adult students and can be completed at local further education colleges and some universities.

University Undergraduate Degree: Ordinary Bachelor's Degree - 3 years. Bachelor's Degree (Honors), Bachelor's Degree in Medicine, Veterinary and Architecture. University Postgraduate Degree. Mater's Degree (taught 1 to 2 years research. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 3 to 5 years

 

For support in finding the right course or retraining opportunity for you, email the RITTeam and our ESOL / Further Education Coordinator will be able to help.

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