Recently, education in the UK has become more and more popular throughout the world. Why is this happening? How did it happen that the knowledge provided by a modest, by modern standards, northern country is held in high esteem? In this article we will try to answer all these questions. In addition, readers will learn in more detail about school education 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 education 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 arose even in the 11th century, far from us.
It should be noted that in the British school, as in no other, to this day there is an “iron” discipline, the educational process takes place at every educational level, and the methodology of teaching that has taken place deserves special respect. Yeah ... Here we can say with confidence that the centuries-old history of education in the UK has left its mark on almost every area 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 an elite education, which at the same time signifies the acquisition of secular manners and useful ties with the powerful and famous of this world.
It's no secret that almost all wealthy and eminent families interested in a successful future career of their children, first of all, try to identify them in prestigious English schools.
At the same time, despite the effectiveness of training, the features of education in the UK imply a certain flexibility. What is this expressed in? The thing is that in the country today there is a huge variety of training courses, and pupils and students are given the opportunity to choose exactly what they are really interested in. In addition, if desired, the selected items can be changed, it does not take a lot of time and you do not need to draw up a bunch of documents. After weighing all the pros and cons, the student should simply write a statement and begin classes according to the newly approved schedule.
There is some misconception that education in the UK in English is better than what can be obtained, for example, in German or French. Not at all. Local teachers approach their work with all responsibility, which means that regardless of language, students will be provided with all the necessary set of knowledge in the chosen direction.
Preschool education
Primary education in the UK for little Englishmen and English women begins then (at that age), when Russian children only go to kindergarten. Classes of three-year-old students are not much different from kindergarten ones - there are the same developing creative games and the same group work. However, they do there only 3 hours a day. Longer lessons are prohibited by law. Why? The thing is that local experts 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 a preschool class at a proven elementary school, it is necessary to pass a series of entrance tests, which, incidentally, are different in each individual region of Albion, which means that they will have to prepare for them separately and in advance.
The education 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 submitted in an improper time, the child will most likely not get a place in the class and will be put on the so-called queue list.
It is inconceivable to imagine that a child can start education in certain regions of England from the age of two. However, this applies mainly to private preschool classes. However, the requirement to apply to such a private institution can be shocking! Parents must submit documents in a number of classes before the baby is born! It’s hard for us to even imagine, not to mention the fact that some modern parents from Russia may consider such a “care” a bad omen. We even try not to acquire the necessary hygiene items before delivery.
The education system in the UK. Primary State Educational Institutions
Despite the variety of principles of primary education, in public schools the most common is the education of children aged 4 to 11 years.
The first year at school is called the preparatory class. If parents filed an application in a timely manner (six months before the start of the semester), then the child from the preschool class falls into primary school.
Despite the great number of good elementary schools, getting a place in one of the institutions is not so simple. Even teaching in a preschool class at an elite school does not guarantee a child. Education in the United States and Great Britain regarding this item is very different. In America, a child who graduates from an elite kindergarten is automatically enrolled in the same school.
Another important criterion for taking a child to school is the family’s place of residence: the closer the house is to the institution, the greater the likelihood of entering this educational institution. But this is not a key point on the path to a good education. Existing eligibility criteria for each school may vary significantly. Therefore, parents should first of all learn the rules of admission.
Education in the UK in elementary school presupposes the existence of certain stages, which are worth discussing in more detail:
- Stage I - from the age of 4 to 6 years. The preparatory class is replaced by the first class, and at six years old the children go into the second.
- Stage II - starts from the age of 7 and continues until the child finishes six classes.
Elementary education. Private schools
In the system of independent education, the concepts of preschool and elementary grades are almost the same, but the names are somewhat different. So, preschool classes are called pre-primary, and primary schools are called preparatory.
The rules for admission to different private schools can vary dramatically. So, for admission to a number of additional training classes, you can do with a simple registration of the child at school (although it must be done in advance); in other institutions, the procedure for passing entrance exams is strictly required.
The indisputable advantage of independent elementary schools is the step-by-step opportunity of admission. Moreover, for each age, certain offers are possible, and the current system of such schools implies the successful continuation of the educational process for almost every child.
What is secondary education in the countries of Misty Albion?
The eleventh birthday for a child means a new period in his life - the stage of high school.
Despite the fact that there are both public and private schools in the UK, they all adhere to common educational standards. In addition, the state provides the right to study in high school for children under 16 years of age, 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 training, students pass the final exam and receive a certificate, which, however, is not a guarantee of admission to universities, but provides the right to the possibility of employment.
Public schools are free, and foreigners between the ages of 8 and 18 can also study in them (a prerequisite is for parents living in England).
Education in independent schools is prestigious. Mostly English schoolchildren study in them (85%). Good private schools have hundreds of hectares of land in their location, where all kinds of educational, health, 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 Russian schools, the full completion of which involves admission to a technical school, and then to an institute, and vocational schools - institutions in which children receive a specific profession. Such institutions in England are called Tertiary Colleges. They are characterized by a particular change in educational programs and qualifications.
Further predetermination of the graduate largely depends on the latter. Thus, the qualification of NVQ involves exclusively practical work in the areas of business and production. However, it is a multi-level system, and, in principle, provides the necessary knowledge for further studies. It has five skill levels. Each of them can be deserved, having shown himself in practice, performing work of one or another level.
ND - a kind of further education colleges, training in which ends with the issuance of an international level diploma. Thus, before getting a vocational education, the child and his parents must carefully consider and choose the right solution.
Higher Education in the UK
To obtain a bachelor's degree in England and Wales, you must study for three years. If training involves practical training, then, accordingly, the period increases. Specific specialties, such as design and art, require a basic course of study, after which they have already completed three years in the specialty. To get a medical education in the UK or to become, for example, an architect, you will have to study for at least seven years.
All training courses are divided into degrees, respectively, the higher it is, the more valuable the graduate.
- They become a bachelor after 3-4 years of study. It is noteworthy that the English undergraduate is highly regarded not only in the homeland, but throughout the world.
- Intermediate degree. This level is a kind of stepping stone on the path to further education.
- A master's degree is divided into two categories (depending on the orientation of the study program): research and professional.
- Doctor's degree. To obtain such a higher education in the UK, the student must actively engage in research activities, the duration of which is 2-3 years. The results obtained during the work are published in scientific reports and journals. A doctor’s degree is awarded immediately after defending a scientific work - a dissertation.
UK boarding schools
The dream of any parent is a successful and educated child. Thousands of loving hearts are ready to give a lot to educate their child in an English private school.
It would seem that there is nothing complicated, because there are a lot of private schools in the UK. And here is the most important snag! It is not so easy to choose a good institution that will suit not only the parents themselves, but also, first of all, the child.
Today, English schools are happy to accept children from Russia and the CIS countries. In order to dispel all doubts regarding the quality of teaching and academic preparation, there are ratings of boarding schools. This guideline is followed by most parents.
Ratings are made on the basis of the effectiveness of training. So, if school graduates show excellent results, then, accordingly, the level of the school increases significantly. However, entering it is not so easy. A child's abilities must be above average, and to determine them he must pass an entrance exam or testing.
An important factor for Russian parents should be the percentage of Russian-speaking children at school. The fewer there are, the sooner and more efficiently the child will perfectly speak English (this applies even to those students who studied at home in schools with in-depth language learning).
Student life in the UK
The opinion that life in England is almost the most expensive is very common. But is that so? Are there simple student tricks to spare? Can these education problems in the UK be overcome somehow? Surely!
A student before the start of his first school year in England must take care of choosing a place to live. Two options are optimal: eating a separate room, living in a hostel. Practice shows that renting a room will save a student at least 25 pounds! To cheaply buy food for yourself, as in Russia, you need to run around, ask the price, and then the savings are surely ensured.
In fact, if desired, each student can save. Transport, entertainment, shopping - if you are not lazy and try to find the most correct solution, then success and an extra hundred pounds are guaranteed.
Requirements for foreign applicants
The current education system in the UK does not allow students from Russia and the CIS countries to enter colleges and universities immediately after graduation from their home countries.
To enter an English university, you must at least finish 2 courses at home or undergo special training in England.
They fall into two categories:
- A-Level lasting 2 years makes it possible to enter all universities in the country. Gifted students can complete the same program in just a 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 seeking higher education in the UK.