Education for students under 16
The educational project of the United Kingdom
SCHOOLS AND HOME EDUCATION
In the UK, children and youth under 16 must receive education in their homes or attend college.
STATE SCHOOLS
All children and young people from 5-16 years of age are entitled to a place in a state school. Most British children attend a school of this type. The state schools are maintained and financed by the government or by a local education authority.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
There are 2,600 independent schools in the UK, which educates approximately 625,000 children and youth (6.5% of all students in the UK). Most independent schools are privately funded through fees paid by parents of students. Many offer scholarships and grants. Many independent schools are charities, all revenues from the fees are reinvested in improvements to school.
HOME EDUCATION
A small number of students of 4-16 years receive education in their homes, through their parents or guardians. You can get more information about home education on the respective websites of the governments of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Another very useful website is Education Otherwise, a charity in the UK that provides support to parents concerned that their children are educated at home.
EDUCATIONAL PROJECT
3 to 4 years
In the UK, many children start school at 3 or 4 years attending kindergartens, nursery schools or classes in an elementary school. This educational path is not required.
4 to 16 years
Full-time education is compulsory for all children and young people in the UK who have from 4 to 16 years. All children are entitled to a place in a state school between those ages
- Primary education is for children aged four or five years until 11 or 13 years. The terms that you hear are 'primary school, school''infant' 'junior school', 'pre-preparatory (pre-prep) school' and 'preparatory (prep) school'. The terms 'pre-preparatory' and 'preparatory' are more often used in the private sector.
- Secondary education is for students aged 11 or 13 to 16 years. The terms that you hear are 'secondary school', 'high school' and 'senior school'. The term 'senior school' is used more frequently in the private sector.
Over 16 years
In the UK there are numerous and diverse options for students who wish to continue their education after 16 years of age.
- The non-mandatory training is offered after 16 years and can be academic or professional:
- Academic careers prepare you for higher education at a university or college. Encourage the development of analytical skills, critical thinking and knowledge.
- Vocational and careers give you the skills, training and qualifications you need to enter and succeed in the profession you have chosen.
- Higher education is for students aged 18 (or 17 years in Scotland). There are two stages in higher education:
- Graduate studies include degrees, titles basic level, Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and others.
- Graduate studies include Masters degrees, doctorates (PhDs), MBAs and others. These studies are for students who already have a degree and want to obtain a higher qualification.