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The school education system in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is divided into three stages:
- primary education,
- up to age eleven secondary education,
- up to age sixteen further education, for those over the age of sixteen.
While the education and training systems of England, Wales and Northern Ireland are broadly similar, the education system in Scotland has always been a completely separate system with its own laws and practices.
For extensive information on education in the countries that make up the UK, from K-12 through to higher education institutions, policy issues and government initiatives, visit the following government web sites:
By law, all children of compulsory school age (between 5 and 16) must receive a full-time education. A National Curriculum was introduced in the UK in 1992 and state schools are required to adhere to it until age 14 while independent or 'public schools' are not obliged to do so.
After five years of secondary education, students take exams in a range of subjects at the level of General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). The GCSE is a single subject exam set and marked by independent exam boards. Students usually take up to ten (there is no upper or lower limit) GCSE exams in different subjects, including mathematics and English language. Students are given a letter score of A-G where A is the top grade. A, B or C grades are regarded as equivalent to the 'pass' grades in the previous GCE exam, known as O-Level.
After taking GCSEs students may leave secondary schooling, may go on to further education colleges (typically for vocational or technical courses) or may take a higher level of secondary school exams known as 'A-Levels' (typically in 2-4 subjects) after a further two years of study. A-Levels (short for Advanced level) are required for university entrance in the UK.
Scotland has its own system of education and exams. After seven years of primary education and four years of compulsory secondary education, students of age 15-16 may take Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE) - Standard Grade courses. These courses lead to the Standard Grade exams. The Standard Grade courses and exams correspond to the GCSEs in England and Wales. Standard Grades are subject focused, most students taking around 8 subjects. The exams are graded on a numerical scale of 1-7 where 1 is the top grade and 3 is regarded as a pass.
After taking Standard Grade examinations, students have the option of leaving school or continuing on in secondary education for one further year to take another level of SCE courses called Higher Grades (Highers) in 4-6 subjects. At the end of these courses students take Higher Grade examinations. Highers are graded on a scale of A-D where an 'A' indicates a mark of 70% or more. A 70% is approximately equal to an American score of 90%. Universities in the UK look for students with 4-5 passing Higher Grades. Highers are roughly equivalent to A-Level courses in the rest of the UK.
Many universities suggest Scottish students go on to a sixth year in which 'further Highers' or the Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (CSYS) can be taken. The CSYS can only be taken by students who are in their final year of secondary schooling and also possess a pass in the Higher Grade in the subject area concerned. CSYS is not required to enter University in the UK but tends to offer more specialised study and is therefore recommended. CSYS are graded on an A-E scale where A is the top grade. Students can also study modular courses or National Certificate Modules, offered through the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
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