England's Secondary Education System
Secondary education in England consists of four main stages (key stages): Primary 5 to 7 and 7 to 11 years, Secondary 11 to 14 and 14 to 16 years. The set of compulsory subjects (core subjects) varies by age. In elementary school, children study English, mathematics, history, geography, music, industrial technology and art. Starting at age 11, the core subjects include English, math and science (chemistry, biology and basic physics). For the remaining subjects, students work with their parents to choose according to their preferences. From age 14 to 16, students prepare for GCSE exams (General Certificate of Secondary Education - Secondary Education Certificate).
In 2015, the legislation on compulsory education in the UK changed: it was previously limited to the age of 16. Today's students have to spend 2 more years at their desks. Those who plan to go to work as soon as possible go to vocational colleges. After 2 years of study, they receive a GNVQ (Secondary Professional Education Certificate) or BTEC (Secondary Technical Education Diploma). Those who are interested in further entry to university stay in school in the 6th grade. During this time - between the ages of 16 and 18 - students are preparing to pass A-levels in selected subjects.
Depending on the type of funding, English schools are divided into public and private. Unlike many countries, the gap between public and private educational institutions in England is not as wide: the country's secondary education levels are monitored at the state level. Private schools, of course, are characterized by a much stronger education: the availability of a physical and technical base, a high level of faculty, the intimacy of the classes, and even a historical heritage that a significant number of boarding schools can boast. Many of them have been working for more than a century, and the oldest of them - they appeared under the Catholic Church in the 12th century.
It is worth noting that there was a history of separate education in England. Some private schools maintain this practice to this day: many Britons believe that boys and girls are more likely to focus on academics. Public schools are mostly mixed.
The grading system in British schools is alphabetical: from A * (excellent) to U (very unsatisfactory). Some private schools also give second grade - diligence - from 1 (active work and interest in the subject) to 5 (student not trying at all). The double assessment is very convenient for both students and parents. This seems to restore justice, as it often happens that there are problems and despite great efforts, poor grades eventually lose motivation.
The English school year is divided into three semesters, each lasting 12 weeks. The number of courses depends on the age of the students, but always includes arts and sports. Great emphasis is placed on liberal education: the school strives to develop leadership qualities, to foster curiosity in children, and to foster free people who know how to make choices, defend their opinions, and strive for professional development while becoming valuable members of society who have the right to be called true ladies and gentlemen. It is worth noting that the tradition of education is particularly strong in private boys' schools.
Overall, the secondary education system in England is rated positively, although there have been some reversals in recent years in the level of student preparation. Thus, according to the monitoring of the 2015 PISA School Education Quality Assessment (Program for International Student Assessment), England ranks 15th. Only 24 times in 2009 and 7 times in 2000. According to experts, the fluctuations are mainly related to the instability of teaching standards in public schools. As for private institutions, their figures remain quite high every year.
The UK Higher Education System
The British higher education system is considered to be one of the best in the world - this is reflected in the world ranking of higher education institutions and the demand for specialists who graduate from Foggy Albion University. It is believed that the British model of education forms the basis of the Bologna education system.
The country's higher education sector includes.
Classical universities and University Colleges (University Colleges), which place great emphasis on research activities.
Polytechnics and Colleges of Higher Education, which educate specialists in applied professions.
Education consists of 3 stages: bachelor's degree (3 years of study, except in Scotland), master's degree (1-2 years) and doctoral degree (2-3 years). The academic year consists of 3 semesters. Courses are offered both in the form of classical lectures and seminars, and in the form of independent work and tutorials (group work with a supervisor). Students' progress is assessed by the results of intermediate assignments (thesis, term paper, project) and final exams. The system for calculating grade point averages depends on the university and can be either a score or a percentage.
Despite their conservative nature, the British have been trying to improve the educational system by introducing innovative teaching methods and actively using modern technologies. As a result, market demand has led to the emergence of so-called "sandwich courses" at many universities - periods of work experience of up to one year, which are considered part of the education.
But, of course, British higher education institutions are primarily known for their strong academic preparation, which draws on the best of this country's centuries-old educational history. Students from all over the world come here in search of quality, ready to spend a lot of money to get the coveted diploma: the cost of a year of study at a British university ranges from £ 10,000 to £ 25,000.
Understanding the importance of higher education, not only in terms of reputation, but also in terms of economic benefits, the government regulates the quality of education at the state level. To this end, the country has the Quality Assurance Agency for Education (QAA), which is responsible for checking the "academic standards" and "academic quality" of universities. Thus, a student at any educational institution in the UK can be sure that he will receive an up-to-date education and that his diploma will be cited in any country in the world.
The British education system successfully combines adherence to tradition with advanced educational technology. Its goal is not so much the encyclopedic knowledge of the student in any field, but the overall development of the individual, focusing on the acquisition of knowledge and professional development. Not surprisingly, graduates of British educational institutions are in such high demand in the global labor market and show excellent career development.
Why to study in London?
There is no doubt that one of the main reasons for students to study in the UK is the prestige of the British Diploma and the good reputation of the educational institutions. However, the benefits don't stop there.
Educational advantages.
High-quality teaching: the student leaves the university with excellent knowledge in his field.
Study and live in a language environment that ensures fluency in English. In turn, this is a key skill for building an international career.
The prestige of the diploma among employers - British graduates are widely quoted in the world (QS Guide 2015 - 2016). England's best universities are a great start to a career in any field.
The opportunity to work on major scientific projects, alongside outstanding scientists and professors offered by universities in London and other UK cities.
Networking and exchanging experiences with students from different countries - the UK has the second highest number of foreign students after the US.
In addition, there is another reason why secondary or higher education in the UK is attractive to foreingers. Spending a few years in the UK will be a wonderful stage of life for a university student. The UK is a country with a high standard of living, low crime rate, rich history and culture.
A well-developed transportation network allows you to travel around the country happily, and from international airports such as London, Manchester and Birmingham, you can fly to the continent for a weekend at an affordable price.
The British love sports, quality music, theater, and movies. You can always find a cultural event that you will enjoy. In fact, for the residents of other countries it is not only an unforgettable journey to study in British universities and schools.
Rental prices
This program is related to where you will live for at least one year, so it is important to consider all aspects so you can make an informed decision.
Do you want to be far from the city center? Do you want to live alone or with neighbors? Will you live on campus or in a private apartment?
Flexibility in relation to your requirements will help reduce unnecessary living expenses.
Private Housing
The cost of student housing in London is higher than in other UK university cities. Central London is one of the most expensive places to live for international students.
The average price in the area is £1,694 per month. However, if you settle in South or East London, prices can be around £927-£1045.
Prices may vary depending on location, the number of bedrooms and whether you live alone or with others.
For a private home in a studio or townhouse, you can expect prices between £1,250 and $1,475 per month, including utilities.
For rooms with roommates, prices range from £250 to £1,000 per month including utilities.
Student Housing
If your university has empty halls of residence, this is a great way to meet new people. They usually provide standard furniture, such as beds, tables and chairs.
This is a cheaper option than private housing and is often easier to arrange for international students. (Because universities usually provide dormitories for new students)
Prices range from £137 to £390 per week for the 52 weeks you need during the academic year.
Prices may vary depending on whether you want a private room or a shared apartment, and whether you want a regular room, with a bathroom or a studio.
Usually these are very modern and well-equipped rooms, and the building has a café, gym, common room, kitchen, etc.
Requirements for obtaining a visa
To study a language course, it is sufficient to obtain a student visitor visa, which is valid for six months and costs $129.
There is an Extended Student Visitor Visa - an annual visa for language study that is an extended analogue of the previous version.
There is also a Tier 4 Child Visa - an option for applicants who intend to enter a school or university. It costs £220 and is issued for the entire period of study.
The final document is the Tier 4 General Student Visa - a visa for students studying at a college or university. It also costs £220 and is issued for a period of six months.
Required documents
To become the owner of the coveted visa and cross the border, you need to prepare to the embassy that
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Passport valid for the entire period of study.
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a photograph
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an electronic form that must be completed in accordance with the rules
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An official letter of admission to the school or university.
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Financial confirmation, £800 per person per month.
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Proof of current place of study.
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Documentation confirming the parent's (or sponsor's) place of work.
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Documentation confirming accommodation booking and payment.
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CAS;
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Document certifying prior parental consent to leave the child's country/region, certified by a notary.
Each document listed must be translated into English.
Cost of studying in London
The amount of time you spend studying in London depends on many factors. Day school or boarding school, international or traditional English, where it is located, how rich its infrastructure is, how many students it has, what additional fees and expenses are offered, and whether scholarships are available. A reputable and highly ranked school may be more expensive than a less reputable and less prestigious school, but there is no direct relationship between prestige and price.
Schools and prices in London
The Independent Schools Council (ISC) in the UK publishes annual statistics to understand the cost of an English language education. According to these statistics, a boarding school education, even without residency, is more expensive than the average private day school. In 2021, the average boarding school tuition fee is £8,684 per term, £11,784 for secondary schools and £12,573 for sixth form schools. Day education is 30-40% cheaper at the same school, and even less at private day schools without boarding houses.
According to ISC statistics, tuition fees are highest in London (average £13,884), neighbouring southern and south-eastern counties, and lowest in the north-east of England (£9,006) and Yorkshire (£8,969). In practice, however, it all depends on the particular educational institution. For example, the annual cost of a boarding house at Cardiff Sixth Form International College in Wales, which has been leading the Daily Telegraph's private school ratings for the past few years, amounts to £51,000 per year. This is one of the highest tuition fees in the country and is a common trend for international schools. Aimed primarily at international students preparing to enter British universities, international academies are fairly independent in their pricing compared to traditional British boarding schools - essentially non-profit and controlled by a board of directors that has a decisive say in financial matters.
The consequence of annual inflation is an annual increase in prices for private schools in the UK, averaging about 4-5% per year, although in 2021, due to the pandemic, the increase is minimal at 0.9-1.9%. In the 2021-22 academic year, the cost of studying at one of the best boys' schools, Winchester College, reached £43,335, and at Malvern St. James Girls' Boarding School, parents paid anywhere from £24,480 to £40,410, depending on the age of the child, and at the co-educational Gordonstoun School in Scotland - from 40,050 to £42,750.
Larger schools that accept children at all levels of education, from kindergarten to high school, are usually more likely to keep prices at a less high level. Smaller schools, especially elementary school, are often forced to raise fees to maintain the necessary infrastructure and the range of extra-curricular activities offered to students in sports, music, science and creativity.
Average tuition fees per term for private schools in the UK according to the 2021 ISC check (boarding/day boarding/day schools)
Primary (5-11/13 years) £8,684 / £5,344 / £4,683
High School (11/13-16) £11,784/ £7,112/ £5,333
Senior School (16-18 years) £12,573/ £7,598/ £5,489
Average cost per term at a private school in the UK in 2021: £12,000/ £6,862/ £5,064
Universities and prices in London
How much does it cost to study at a public university in the UK?
Public universities are usually larger and older than private universities. They have a rich history and offer a large number of different disciplines of study. Studying at a state university is cheaper, and tuition fees for foreign students are an order of magnitude higher than for local students.
The average tuition at public universities ranges from $8,000 to $21,000 per year.
How much does it cost to study at a private university in the UK?
Private universities are younger and more innovative. Many of them have narrow subject specializations, such as in business, law or medicine. Private universities are more expensive to educate, with the cost being the same for local and foreign students.
The average private university tuition costs between $8,000 and $42,000 per year.
Both public and private universities in the UK have some of the most expensive study programs in the medical and business fields.
How much does it cost to study for an undergraduate degree in the UK?
The average cost of an undergraduate education at a UK university for international students is $16,000 per year. At low-cost universities, you can find programs that cost $8,000 per year or less, with some programs costing more than $50,000 per year. First, it involves clinical programs, such as medical programs.
International undergraduates need money for more than just their studies. To obtain a student visa to the UK, foreigners must have $1,329 (or $1,657 in London) in their account for each month they reside in the country. In addition, foreigners pay $393 per year for health insurance if the study program exceeds 6 months, or $196 per year if the study program does not exceed 6 months.
How much does it cost to study a Master's degree in the UK?
In most cases, the cost of a master's degree in the UK is lower than that of a bachelor's degree. However, this does not apply to all programs. For example, clinical programs and MBA programs, on the contrary, are more expensive than similar undergraduate programs.
The average tuition fee for international students pursuing a master's degree in the UK is $15,000 per year. The most expensive programs can cost up to $45,000 per year.