Education in the UK: system, features, problems

Recently, education in the UK has become more and more popular all over the world. Why does this happen? How did it happen that the knowledge provided by a modest, by modern standards, northern country, is in this respect? In this article, let's try to answer all these questions. In addition, readers will learn more about schooling in the UK, about its levels and principles of organization. In fact, our country has something to strive for.

general description

It so happened that the educational system in the UK for many countries is a kind of standard. Although not everyone knows that it appeared many centuries ago and, in fact, in its original form appeared in the far from us 11th century.

It should be noted that in the British school, as in no other, and to this day there is an "iron" discipline, the educational process occurs at each educational level, and the teaching methodology that has taken place deserves special respect. Yeah ... Here we can confidently say that the centuries-old history of education in the UK has left its imprint on virtually every sphere of the modern process of obtaining knowledge.

Among other things, it is in British schools that students are given the opportunity to receive not only first-class knowledge, but also elite education, simultaneously denoting the acquisition of secular manners and useful links with the strong and famous of this world.

It's no secret that almost all wealthy and eminent families who are interested in the successful future career of their children, first of all, try to determine them in English prestigious schools.

At the same time, despite the effectiveness of teaching, the characteristics of education in the UK imply some flexibility. In what way is this expressed? The thing is that in the country today there is a huge variety of various training courses, and students and students are given the opportunity to choose exactly what they really want. In addition, if desired, the selected items can be changed, it does not take much time and does not need to make out a stack of documents. Having weighed all the pros and cons, the student should simply write the application and start the lessons on the newly approved schedule.

There is some confusion about the fact that education in the UK in English is better than what you can get, for example, in German or French. Not at all. Local teachers approach their work with all the responsibility, therefore, regardless of the language, students will be provided with all the necessary set of knowledge in the chosen direction.

Preschool education

Primary education in the UK for small Englishmen and Englishwomen then begins (at that age) when Russian kids only go to kindergarten. Lessons of three-year students are not much different from kindergarten - there are the same developing creative games and the same group work. However, they are engaged there only 3 hours a day. Longer lessons are prohibited at the legislative level. Why? The thing is that local specialists unanimously decided that a child of this age should have time for games, fun and walks in the fresh air.

In order for a child to enter the pre-school class with an established elementary school, it is necessary to pass a number of introductory tests, which, incidentally, in each separate region of Albion are different, so they will have to be prepared separately and in advance.

The educational system in the UK is such that almost everywhere authorities require parents to apply for admission one year before the age of three. If, for any reason, the documents were filed in an improper time, the child will most likely not receive a place in the class and will be listed in the so-called list on the queue.

It is inconceivable to imagine that in some regions of England a child can begin to study in two years. However, this concerns primarily private preschool classes. However, the requirement to apply to such a private institution can be shocked! Documents in a number of classes parents must submit before the baby's birth! For us, it's hard to even imagine, let alone that some "modern" parents from Russia might consider such "care" a bad omen. We even try to not buy necessary hygiene items before delivery.

The education system in the UK. Primary State Educational Institutions

Despite the diversity of the principles of primary education, the most common in public schools is the education of children aged 4 to 11 years.

The first year in the school is called the preparatory class. If parents submitted a timely application (six months before the start of the semester), then a child from the pre-school class enters the primary school.

Despite the great number of good elementary schools, it is not so easy to get a place in one of the establishments. Even education in preschool class at elite school does not give a guarantee on receipt in it of the child. Education in the United States and Great Britain regarding this item is very different. In America, a child who has graduated from an elite kindergarten automatically enrolls in the same school.

Another important criterion for taking a child to school is the place of residence of the family: the closer is the house to the institution, the greater the likelihood of entering this educational institution. But this is not a key point on the road to good education. Existing criteria for admission to each school can vary significantly. Therefore, parents should first of all learn the rules of admission.

Education in the UK in an elementary school assumes the existence of certain stages, which need to be discussed in more detail:

1. Stage I - at the age of 4 to 6 years. The preparatory class is replaced by the first class, and at the age of six, the children are transferred to the second class.
2. Stage II - begins with 7 years and continues until the child ends six classes.

Elementary education. Private schools

In the system of independent education, the concepts of preschool and primary classes are almost the same, but the names are somewhat different. So, pre-school classes are called pre-preparatory classes, and primary schools are preparatory.

Rules for admission to different private schools can be radically different. So, for entering into a number of pre-preparatory classes, you can do without a simple registration of the child at school (although it must be done in advance); In other institutions the procedure for passing the entrance examinations is strictly required.

The indisputable advantage of independent primary schools is the step-by-step possibility of admission. At the same time, for each age, certain proposals are possible, and the existing system of such schools presupposes the successful continuation of the educational process for almost every child.

What is the secondary education in the countries of Misty Albion?

The eleventh birthday for the child means a new period in his life - the high school stage.

Despite the fact that in the UK there are both public and private schools, they all adhere to unified educational standards. In addition, the state grants the right to study in secondary schools for children under 16, that is, it should be noted that free education in the UK is not only in demand, but also enjoys great popularity among different social strata.

As a result of the training, students pass the final exam and receive a certificate, which, however, is not a guarantee of admission to universities, but it gives the right to work opportunities.

Public schools are free of charge, foreigners aged 8 to 18 (also a compulsory condition - parents residing in England) can also study there.

Education in independent schools is prestigious. They mainly study English schoolchildren (85%). Good private schools have in their location hundreds of hectares of land, where all sorts of educational, recreational, sports and entertainment buildings are located.

Professional education

In addition to schools, in the UK there are also institutions providing secondary specialized education. The difference between these two systems is similar to the Russian schools, the complete end of which implies admission to the technical school, and then to the institute, and vocational schools are institutions in which children receive a particular profession. Such institutions in England are called Tertiary Colleges. For them, private change in educational programs and qualifications is peculiar.

The latter predetermines the future predestination of the graduate. So, the qualification of NVQ assumes exclusively practical work in the spheres of business and production. However, it is a multilevel system, and, in principle, gives the necessary knowledge for further training. Has five skill levels. You can deserve each of them by showing yourself in practice, performing the work of one or another level.

ND - a kind of colleges of further education, training in which ends with the issuance of a diploma of international level. Thus, before getting a professional education, the child and his parents should think carefully and choose the right decision.

Higher education in the UK

To obtain a bachelor's degree in England and Wales, you need to study for three years. If the training involves the passage of production practice, then, respectively, the period increases. Specific specialties, such as design and art, suggest the passage of a basic course of study, after which it is already three years in the specialty. To get medical education in the UK or become, for example, an architect, you will have to study for at least seven years.

All courses are divided into degrees, respectively, the higher it is, the more valuable the graduate.

1. Bachelor become after 3-4 years of study. It is noteworthy that the English baccalaureate is highly valued not only at home but throughout the world.
2. Intermediate degree. This level is a kind of step on the path to further education.
3. The master's degree is divided into two categories (depending on the orientation of the training program): research and professional.
4. Degree of Doctor. To get such a higher education in the UK, the student needs to actively pursue research activities, the duration of which is 2-3 years. The results obtained in the course of the work are published in scientific reports and journals. The degree of the doctor is appropriated directly after the defense of the scientific work - the thesis.

UK Boarding Schools

The dream of any parent is a successful and educated child. Thousands of loving hearts are ready to give much for the sake of teaching their child in an English private school.

It would seem that there is nothing difficult, because private schools in Great Britain are many. And here is the main hitch! After all, it is not so easy to choose a good institution that will suit not only the parents themselves, but also the child first.

Today, English schools are happy to welcome children from Russia and CIS countries. To dispel all doubts about the quality of teaching and academic preparation, there are ratings of boarding schools. Most parents follow this guideline.

The ratings are compiled on the basis of the effectiveness of training. So, if the graduates of the school demonstrate excellent results, then, respectively, the school's level is significantly increased. However, to enter it is not so easy. Abilities of the child should be above average, and for their definition, he must pass the entrance examination or testing.

An important factor for Russian parents should be the percentage of Russian-speaking children at school. The fewer of them, the sooner and more effectively the child will speak English perfectly (this applies even to those pupils who studied at home in schools with in-depth study of the language).

Student life in the UK

The view that life in England is almost the most expensive is very common. But is it so? Are there simple student tricks to save money? Can we somehow overcome these problems of education in the UK? Yes, of course!

The student must take care of the choice of housing before starting the first academic year in his life in England. Optimal two options: a separate room, living in a dormitory. Practice shows that taking a room will save the student at least 25 pounds! To buy food for yourself inexpensively, as in Russia, you need to run around, ask the price, and then the savings are sure to be secured.

In fact, if desired, each student can save money. Transport, entertainment, shopping - if not to be lazy and try to find the right decision, then success and an extra hundred pounds are guaranteed.

Requirements for foreign applicants

The current system of education in the UK does not allow students from Russia and CIS countries to enter the colleges and universities right after graduation from their homeland.

To enroll in an English university, it is necessary, at least, to finish 2 courses of the institute at home or to undergo special training in England.

They fall into two categories:

• A-Level lasting 2 years gives an opportunity to enter all universities of the country. Gifted students can complete the same program in just one year.
• Basic (or Foundation) - 1 year. The reduced program provides an opportunity to enter a limited number of universities.

Such preparatory systems are key for those wishing to pursue higher education in the UK.