Education in the United Kingdom facts for kids

Education in the United Kingdom is managed differently in each of its countries. This means England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have their own education systems. The UK Government looks after education in England. The Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Ireland governments are in charge of education in their own countries.

To learn more about education in each country, you can check these articles:

• Education in England
• Education in Northern Ireland
• Education in Scotland
• Education in Wales

In 2018, a study called the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) looked at the skills of 15-year-olds around the world. It found that British students ranked 13th globally in reading, maths, and science. On average, British students scored higher than the international average.

In 2014, the UK spent about 6.6% of its total national income on education. This was more than many other countries. By 2017, nearly half of all British adults aged 25 to 64 had completed some form of education after high school. Also, over half of young adults aged 25 to 34 had gone on to higher education.

School Life in the UK

In each part of the UK, education usually has five main stages. These are: early years, primary, secondary, further education (FE), and higher education (HE). By law, all children must attend school full-time from age 5 (or 4 in Northern Ireland) until they are 16. In England, this was extended to age 18 in 2015, meaning students must stay in education or training until then.

Before children start compulsory school, they can go to nursery. The governments in all four countries help pay for children to attend nursery from age three or even younger.

Further education (FE) is not compulsory. It includes advanced studies that students can take after secondary school. This can be at colleges or other learning places. The fifth stage, higher education (HE), is for studies beyond qualifications like A-levels or BTECs. Most full-time students take these courses at universities or colleges.

What Students Learn

The National Curriculum was set up in 1988. It guides what students learn in England between the ages of 5 and 16. While most schools follow it, some private schools, home-schooled students, and certain types of state schools can create their own learning plans.

After 1999, the Welsh Government took charge of education in Wales. This meant their curriculum started to become different from England's. The National Curriculum for Wales was created and is now being replaced by the Curriculum for Wales.

In Scotland, the learning plan is called the Curriculum for Excellence. Scotland's qualifications, like National 4/5s, Highers, and Advanced Highers, are similar to the A-level courses in England.

Northern Ireland also has its own separate education system and curriculum.

Further Education Explained

Further education (FE) is what students do after secondary school in England and Wales. FE can include studying for apprenticeships, A-levels, BTEC qualifications, or the International Baccalaureate. These courses can range from beginner levels to advanced ones, like A-levels. They help prepare students for higher education or a job.

The sixth form is a common type of FE. It's where students aged 16 and over study after finishing their GCSE exams. Sixth forms can be part of a secondary school or a separate college. Further education colleges often offer a wider range of courses, including vocational training for specific jobs. Tertiary colleges offer both academic and vocational courses.

Higher Education Explained

In the United Kingdom, higher education is offered by universities and other special institutions. These places provide both research-based studies and professional training. Universities offer programs that lead to degrees like bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degrees. They also have non-degree programs that give students vocational qualifications, such as certificates or diplomas.

British higher education is known worldwide for its high quality and strong academic standards. Many UK universities are ranked among the best globally. These include the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, and UCL.

How to Get Into University

In 2023, most students taking GCSEs studied about 9 subjects. English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, and Science are usually required. Students also take subjects like Computing, Physical Education (PE), and Citizenship. They also need to choose at least one subject from groups like Arts, Design and Technology, Humanities, or Modern Foreign Languages.

Taking GCSE exams marks the end of 11 years of compulsory education. A GCSE certificate is given for each subject passed. To go to university, students usually take a two-year program after GCSEs. This leads to new exams called General Certificate of Education, Advanced Level (A-levels). Like GCSEs, students choose their A-level subjects. In 2023, students typically took 3 or 4 A-level subjects.

Each university has its own rules for who they accept. They also have minimum grades needed for each course. A-levels are a common way to get into universities in the UK and many other countries. Students who want to go to university usually enroll in pre-university or further education programs.

Learning Job Skills

Technical and vocational education in the UK starts during secondary school. It continues through further and higher education. Secondary vocational education is often called further education. It focuses on teaching practical skills for specific jobs.

Students can go to a further education college to prepare for qualifications like the Vocational Certificate of Education (VCE), which is similar to A-levels. Major groups that provide vocational qualifications in the UK include the City and Guilds of London Institute and Edexcel.

Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) usually take 1 to 2 years of full-time study. Credits from these can count towards a university degree. Students interested in other job-focused qualifications can also get a Foundation degree. This degree trains people to be highly skilled technicians.

The National Apprenticeship Service also offers vocational education. People aged 16 and older can join apprenticeships to learn a skilled trade. There are over 60 different qualifications available through apprenticeships, which usually last 1 to 3 years. Apprentices earn money while they train. They typically spend one day at school and the rest of the week working to practice their skills.

T Levels are new technical qualifications being introduced between 2020 and 2023. They are designed to give students the knowledge and experience needed for skilled jobs, further study, or higher apprenticeships.

Fairness in Education

In 2018, a newspaper called The Guardian pointed out that successful schools often have students from families who have done well in education before. Students from less fortunate backgrounds, or those who face more challenges, tend to be in schools that don't perform as well. This means children from wealthier families are more likely to attend good schools, while disadvantaged children might be in schools that need to improve. However, by 2015, this gap was starting to close, with more students from all backgrounds attending good schools.

A 2016 report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission found that students from different racial backgrounds sometimes have different experiences in the British education system. For example, fewer Black students who finished school went on to attend top universities compared to white, mixed-race, or Asian students. The report also found that teachers' predictions for A-level grades were less accurate for Black students than for white students. However, Black students were slightly more likely to achieve higher actual grades than predicted. In 2018, about 14% of teachers in state schools in England were from Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups. At the same time, about a third of primary and secondary school students in England were from BAME groups.

How Education is Paid For

In the 2015/16 school year, the UK spent a lot of money on education. About £3.2 billion went to early years education, £27.7 billion to primary schools, and £38.2 billion to secondary schools. Higher education received £5.9 billion. In total, the UK spent £83.4 billion on education that year.

Students from Other Countries

Schools and universities in Britain are very popular for students coming from other countries. Many leaders and government officials from around the world have studied at UK universities and colleges. Only the United States has educated more world leaders.

See also

In Spanish: Educación en el Reino Unido para niños