British educational system and its differences

with American and Slovak one

3. slide
British education system
The education system in the UK is divided into four main parts,
primary education, secondary education, further education and
higher education. Children in the UK have to legally attend
primary and secondary education which runs from about 5
years old until the student is 16 years old. 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

4. slide
Primary education
Primary school education begins in the UK at age 5 and
continues until age 11, comprising key stages one and two
under the UK educational system. Some primary schools are
split up into Infant and Junior levels. These are usually separate
schools on the same site. The infant age range (Key Stage 1) is
from age 5 to 7. The Junior age range (Key Stage 2) is from age
7 to 11. The year groups at primary School level are:
Year R (Reception) (age 4 – 5)
Year 1 (age 5 - 6)
Year 2 (age 6 - 7) The year when SATs testing takes place for
Key Stage 1
Year 3 (age 7 - 8)
Year 4 (age 8 - 9)
Year 5 (age 9 - 10)
Year 6 (age 10 - 11) The year when SATs testing takes place for
Key Stage 2
SATs are standardised assessment tests administered by
primary schools in England to children in Year 2 and Year 6 to
check their educational progress. They are one marker used by
the government, and hence parents, of the quality of the
education at a school.
5. slide
Secondary school - years 7 and 8
Years 7 and 8 are the first two years of secondary school
education in the UK. In some independent schools they are
included in the Junior School, in others, they are part of the
Senior School. Under the UK school system, all students study
English, Maths, Sciences, a Humanity and a Modern Language.
Besides these subjects, each school has a list with optional
subjects (Art, Music, Drama, Latin, Sport Science, Design
Technology, Computer Science), and students may choose a
few subjects that interest them. In some schools, students sit
Common Entrance Exam in year 7. There are 3 examination
sessions, in November, January and May/June. The transition
from Junior to Senior School (from year 8 to year 9) may be
conditioned by the Common Entrance Exam results in those
schools.
6. slide
secondary school - year 9
Year 9 is a very important year in the British school system, as
most of the students make the transition from Junior School to
Senior School. It is also a very good foundation for the GCSE
programme and it is an entry point to all schools. Students
study English, Maths, Sciences, Humanity and Languages. In
addition, students choose a few subjects from the optional
subject list offered by each school.
7. slide
Secondary education - years 10 and 11
In the last two years of secondary education, which are called
Year 10 and Year 11, starting at age 14, students prepare for
GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams that
are taken after two years. In the UK school system, during the
GCSE programme, students study between 9 and 12 subjects.
Some of them are compulsory (English, Math, 2/3 Sciences,
History/Geography, a Modern Language etc.), some are chosen
by each student according to their abilities and preferences. At
the end of the 2 year GCSE programme, following the
examinations on each studied subject, students receive their
GCSE Certificates. The chosen subjects and the GCSE results
are very important for their Further Studies (A-Level or IB) and
for their University admission. Some schools offer a 1 Year
GCSE programme in Year 11 for international students seeking
a school education in the UK. These intensive, one year courses,
are available for students aged 15 plus, with the appropriate
academic level from their own country. Fewer subjects are
studied (maximum 6). The IGCSE programme
(International General Certificate of Secondary Education)
prepare international students for A-Level and/or IB. Students
study between 5 and 7 subjects, English, Maths and Science
being included. Each school has a list of available subjects for
IGCSE students. At the end of Year 11, students take exams in
each studied subject and receive IGCSE Certificates.
8. slide
University preparation - years 12 and 13
In the UK school system, once a student reaches the age of 16,
they can start a 2 year programme which leads to A (Advanced)
level examinations. Students specialise in 3 or 4 subjects, that
are usually relevant to the degree subject they wish to follow at
university. A levels are state examinations and are recognised
by all UK universities and by institutions worldwide. At the end
of Year 13, following the examinations in each subject, the
students receive A level Certificates. Those who would like to
study more than 3-4 subjects, may continue their studies in a
broader number of subjects with the International Baccaularete
Diploma Programme, offered by some independent schools.
During the IB, students study 6 subjects, 3 at higher level (HL)
and 3 at standard level (SL). Each school offers different
subjects at different study levels (HL/SL). The IB programme
also includes a compulsory Core programme consisting of
Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE) and Creativity,
Activity, Service (CAS). Students take written examinations on
each subject at the end of their courses.
9. slide
International students can either choose a state sixth form
college or a college of further education as an alternative to
private education. Both offer GCSE and A level courses for
students from the age of 16. Colleges of further education also
offer foundation and diploma courses. All colleges can prepare
students for entry to a UK university or any university in the
world. Vocational courses can enable students to pursue their
chosen career or to gain a place at a university of their choice.
The British school system also extends to BTEC courses which
are designed for students who would like to develop practical
knowledge and skills in a specific subject (Business, Psychology,
Engineering, Sport, Art & Design) and find traditional exams
challenging. Focussing on practical, skills-based learning, the
BTEC students are assessed during the course. After each unit
students are assessed through assignments, tasks or tests, and
not at the end of the programme as it happens with GCSE or A-
Level students.
10. slide
In the UK, a British bachelors degree normally takes three years
to complete and most are awarded at honours level. Examples
of first degrees are: BA (Bachelor of Arts), BEng (Bachelor of
Engineering), and BSc (Bachelor of Science). State colleges
offer some 2 year vocational diplomas that grant exemption
from the first and sometimes second year of a degree
programme. Some private tutorial colleges offer a one year
diploma programme which is equivalent to year 1 of university.
Students taking 1 year diplomas are awarded second year entry
at some universities.
11. slide
Postgraduate courses in the UK education system are very
intensive. This means that the courses are usually much shorter
than in other countries. A master's degree typically takes 12
months to complete, for example an MA - Master of Arts and an
MEng - Master of Engineering. An MBA (Master of Business
Administration) is a high profile Masters course which can take
2 years. Applicants will usually be high achieving with at least 2
years managerial experience. A PhD research degree in the UK
can take between 2 and 7 years.