The education system in the UK
People come to study in the UK for a variety of different reasons. They may study in a range of institutions, from specialist postgraduate courses, or they may come to a boarding school or for a short English Language course. They all recognise that studying in the UK will give them a chance to transform their lives, communities and countries.
The education system in the UK is also split into “key stages” which breaks down as follows:
- Key Stage 1: 5 to 7 years old
- Key Stage 2: 7 to 11 years old
- Key Stage 3: 11 to 14 years old
- Key Stage 4: 14 to 16 years old
Generally, key stages 1 and 2 will be undertaken at primary school and at 11 years old a student will move onto secondary school and finish key stages 3 and 4.
Students are assessed at the end of each stage. The most important assessment occurs at age 16 when students pursue their GCSE’s or General Certificate of Secondary Education. Once students complete their GCSE’s they have the choice to go onto further education and then potential higher education, or finish school and go into the working world.
Our overview of the education system in the UK is divided into five main sections:
Primary education begins in the UK at age 5 and continues until age 11, comprising key stages one and two under the UK educational system.
From age 11 to 16, students will enter secondary school for key stages three and four and to start their move towards taking the GCSE’s – learn more about secondary education in the UK and what it will involve. Primary and secondary education is mandatory in the UK; after age 16, education is optional.
Once a student finishes secondary education they have the option to extend into further education to take their A-Levels, GNVQ’s, BTEC’s or other such qualifications. UK students planning to go to college or university must complete further education.
Most international students will enter directly into the UK higher education system, after completing their home country’s equivalent to the UK’s “further education.”
UK labour force
The UK economy is one of the most powerful in Europe
- The UK employment rate was estimated at 76.1%, higher than for a year earlier (75.3%) and the highest figure on record.
- The UK unemployment rate was estimated at 3.9%; it has not been lower since November 1974 to January 1975.
- The UK economic inactivity rate was estimated at 20.7%, lower than for a year earlier (21.2%) and the lowest figure on record.
- Excluding bonuses, average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain were estimated to have increased by 3.4%, before adjusting for inflation, and by 1.4%, after adjusting for inflation, compared with a year earlier.
- Including bonuses, average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain were estimated to have increased by 3.4%, before adjusting for inflation, and by 1.5%, after adjusting for inflation, compared with a year earlier.