The Education System in the United Kingdom: The Education System in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales

NOTE: There are differences within the education system of
the United Kingdom because responsibilities and oversight for education has been transferred to the devolved administrations in Wales and Northern Ireland (the Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Assembly respectively). However, the purpose of this document is to present a brief, general summary of education in the United Kingdom. The sources cited at the end of this section provide more specific details about education in the United Kingdom.

Preprimary:

• Common name: (Early years) foundation stage/phase, nursery school/class, reception class in primary school (England and Wales only), day nursery
• Ages of attendance: 3 to 4
• Number of years: 1 to 2
• Start of universal enrollment: Age 4
• Compulsory: No

NOTE: Within the foundation stage/phase, some students attend a "reception class" in primary school. This is comparable to kindergarten in the United States (with academic activities) and provides a "bridge" between nursery school and key stage 1.

Primary:

• Common name: Key stages 1 and 2, infant school, junior school, primary school
• Ages of attendance: 5 to 10 (England and Wales), 4 to 10 (Northern Ireland)
• Number of years: 6 (England and Wales), 7 (Northern Ireland)
• Universal enrollment: Yes
• Compulsory: Yes

NOTE: The primary school years are divided into stages. In England, these are key stage 1 and key stage 2. In Wales, since 2008, they have been known as the foundation phase and key stage
2. In Northern Ireland, since 2008, they have been known as the foundation stage, key stage 1 and key stage 2.

Lower secondary:

• Common name: Academy (England), comprehensive school, high school, grammar school, key stage 3, post-primary (Northern Ireland), secondary school
• Ages of attendance: 11 to 13
• Number of years: 3
• Universal enrollment: Yes
• Compulsory: Yes
• Entrance/exit criteria: No (except for grammar schools in England) (In Northern Ireland, the Department of Education no longer supports academic selection, however it is not prohibited and many schools continue to select pupils based on ability).

NOTE: Although lower and upper secondary schools are typically combined in the United Kingdom, the first 3 years of secondary school are classified as lower secondary under the ISCED and are commonly referred to as "key stage 3." Some areas have both grammar schools, which enroll children with higher achievement, and comprehensive schools, which enroll children with lower achievement.

Upper secondary:

• Common name: Academy (England), comprehensive school, further education college, grammar school, high school, key stages4 and 5, post-primary, school sixth form, secondary school, sixth form college
• Ages of attendance: 14 to 17 (graduation generally at age 18)
• Number of years: 4
• Universal enrollment: Through age 16
• Compulsory: Until age 16
• Entrance/exit criteria: In order to obtain the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), students take a series of single- subject examinations after the first 2 years of upper secondary school (at age 15/16). The General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced levels (A levels) and the GCE Advanced Subsidiary examinations (AS levels) are similar tests taken in the sixth form (described below).

NOTE: After the first 2 years of upper secondary school, students take General Certificate of Secondary Education qualifications (GCSEs), typically at age 16. They then have the option of continuing school for 2 years, often called the sixth form. Some schools do not offer the sixth form, in which case students can transfer to a school with one, sixth form college (which is similar but in a separate school) or go to a further education college. Sixth forms usually offer General Certificate of Education Advanced level examinations (GCE A levels).  An A level qualification consists of advanced subsidiary (AS) and A2 units. The AS (taken at age 17) is a stand-alone qualification and is worth half a full A level qualification. The A2 (taken at age 18) is the second half of a full A level qualification and covers more demanding material than at AS level. An increasing range of GCSEs, A levels, and AS levels in applied (vocational) subjects is also being offered, along with a developing range of 14-19 Diplomas. Such 14-19 Diplomas involve part-time or full-time programs that combine vocational and academic studies in broad subject areas. They are suitable for 16- to 19-year-old adult learners or upper secondary students. GCE A levels are usually required for entry to higher education, however students are increasingly able to enter higher education with these parallel A level, AS level, and 14-19 Diploma vocational qualifications. If students choose not to enter sixth form, their options are the labor force (often through apprenticeships or youth training courses) or a further education sector college. Further education sector colleges have traditionally offered vocational courses, but increasingly have academic programs.

Postsecondary and tertiary:

• Common name: Higher education (HE), college, university
• Ages of attendance: Varies
• Number of years: Varies according to degree
• Universal enrollment: No
• Entrance criteria: GCE Advanced levels (A level) or equivalent, such as A levels in applied subjects or the new 14-19 Diplomas, are required for admittance into the tertiary sector.

Common degree programs:

• Certificates of higher education: 1-year vocational courses.
• Higher Education Diploma: Short undergraduate programs, which vary in length, offered at colleges and universities. (Not to be confused with the 14-19 Diplomas which are being introduced at the upper secondary level.)
• Foundation degree: Employment-related higher education qualification taking 2 years to complete and offered at colleges and universities.
• Bachelor's degree: 3- to 4-year academic programs at colleges or universities. Most students are on the honors degree track, the requirements of which are specific to schools and departments. Honors degrees are an entrance requirement for most graduate programs.
• Advanced short degree: Short programs, which vary in length, for students who have already acquired a bachelor's degree, for example, the postgraduate certificate of education. Courses offered are often professional development-oriented.
• Master's degree: A taught or research postgraduate degree offered at colleges and universities. One year or more beyond an honors bachelor's degree.
• • Professional degrees: Advanced or extended programs in professional fields such as engineering, accounting, medicine, and information science. Number of years required to complete varies.
• Doctorate: Research-oriented postgraduate degree. Minimum of 3 years in duration.

Sources:

Eurybase. (2010). The Information Database on Education Systems in Europe: The Organization of the Education System in the United Kingdom (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland),< 2009/10. Brussels: Eurydice. Retrieved December 15, 2010, from http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/documents/eurybase/eurybase_full_reports/UN_EN.pdf.

Marlow-Ferguson, R. (Ed.) (2002). World Education Encyclopedia: A Survey of Educational Systems Worldwide, Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group.

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. (1996). Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators. Paris: Author.

Robitaille, D.F. (1997). National Contexts for Mathematics and Science Education: An Encyclopedia of the Education Systems Participating in TIMSS. Vancouver, Canada: Pacific Educational Press.