If you are aiming to study in the UK, you must know how the university or academic process functions.
UK’s grading system varies from location to location; not all places have the same grading criteria. You may find some commonality within the marking schemes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, the marking scheme in Scotland is entirely different.
The academic system in the UK can be divided into four sub-sections: Primary, Secondary, Further Education, and Higher Education. Following is a detailed overview of the academic system in the UK:
Obtaining basic education is mandatory for all children aged between 5 to 16 years.
The students are assessed regularly throughout these stages of education. The GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) are an essential part of UK students’ lives. They appear for these exams once they are 16 years of age.
As soon as a student has completed their GCSEs, they can opt for Further Educational studies and then Higher Educational studies. Or they could complete their schooling and move on to their professional lives.
The Primary Educational phase takes place within 5 to 11 years of age in a student’s life, including the first and second key stages of their academics. You can visit the British Council website for further assistance.
Moving onto ages of 11 to 16, the students then move onto their Secondary Educational phase that includes key stages three and four for their academics. In this stage, the students begin prepping for their GCSEs. Keeping in mind that these educational stages are compulsory for all students – once completed, further education is based upon preference.
As the child finishes the stage of Secondary Education, they can then choose to move onto the Further Education stage. This includes your A-Levels, GNVQs, BTECs, etc. If you are a student in the UK and intend to attend college, you will need to complete your Further Education first.
If you are an international student and are looking for some clarity regarding the Higher Education area in the UK, then you have come to the right place. International students can apply to Higher Education in the UK with a degree that is equivalent to Further Education in the UK.
It is important for you to familiarise yourself with the UK grading schemes and systems if you plan on completing your Higher Education here.
We have prepared a detailed review of the UK grading system below: