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Can you do A levels outside of School?

What are school levels in the UK in comparison to school levels in America?

  • For example, in America, "elementary school" (also sometimes referred to as "grade school" or "primary school") is considered Kindergarten (ages 5-6), First Grade (ages 6-7), Second Grade (ages 7-8), Third Grade (ages 8-9), Fourth Grade (ages 9-10), and Fifth Grade (ages 10-11). The next phase of schooling is "middle school" (also sometimes referred to as "junior high") and encompasses Sixth Grade (ages 11-12), Seventh Grade (ages 12-13), and Eighth Grade (ages 13-14). The next phase is "high school" which encompasses Ninth Grade (also referred to as a student's Freshman year -- ages 14-15), Tenth Grade (also referred to as a student's Sophomore year -- ages 15-16), Eleventh Grade (also referred to as a student's Junior year -- ages 16-17), and Twelfth Grade (also referred to as a student's Senior year -- ages 17-18). Then comes what is generally referred to as "college" (also referred to as "university" -- SEE NOTE BELOW) which can involve: 1) attending for only 2 years to obtain an associate's degree (usually a 2-year associate's degree is obtained at what is referred to specifically as a "community college") 2) attending for 4 years to obtain a bachelor's degree, followed (if so desired) by what is referred to as "graduate school" (or "graduate studies") for an advanced degree like a master's or a doctorate. Other than "community colleges", most all colleges/universities offer both 4-year bachelor's degree programs and graduate studies. NOTE: Be aware that there is a very distinct difference in how Americans use the term "college" versus how the rest of the world uses the term. In America, there is very little difference academically between a "college" and a "university." In America, the terms are generally synonymous. In America, there are stand-alone colleges (e.g., Dartmouth College) AND there are colleges within universities (e.g., the College of Business at Harvard University). It likely seems confusing to a non-American, however, Americans understand their nuanced uses of the term "college". SO, WHAT ARE THE BRITISH COMPARISONS TO THE SCHOOL LEVELS IN AMERICA?

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    Nursery (If no connected to a school) can be really any age from 0-5) PRIMARY/INFANT SCHOOL Nursery (if connected to a school but its not compulsory) is age 3-4 Reception: age 4 to 5 Year 1: age 5 to 6 Year 2: age 6 to 7 PRIMARY/JUNIOR SCHOOL Year 3: age 7 to 8 Year 4: age 8 to 9 Year 5: age 9 to 10 Year 6: age 10 to 11 SECONDARY SCHOOL Year 7: age 11 to 12 Year 8: age 12 to 13 Year 9: age 13 to 14 Year 10: age 14 to 15 Year 11: age 15 to 16 GCSEs can now start from Year 9 or Year 10 and finish in Year 11 and they are important if you want to progress onto A-Levels and the majority jobs in the future want a C in Maths and English. You choose 4 subjects you want to study further into and drop subjects you no longer want to take but usually have to keep subjects such as Maths, English, P.E, R.E or R.S (Religious Eduction/Studies...they are the same thing but some schools call them different names), PSHE (you learn about stuff such as sex education and general life lessons and morals/values of society) and Science. You then progress then either leave education altogether or do one of these 3 options: 6th form-This is just another 2 years at your current school. You have a choice do your A-Levels or IB at your current school if they offer 6th form or move to a new school. 6th forms are not usually called college as they are still part of a school and are more formal (some still make students where school uniform or dress in formal office where type clothing, you usually have to come in at the same time as normal students, you usually can't leave the school grounds and if you do you have to sign out). You know only do 4 subjects of your choice but they usually have to relate to the subjects you done as GCSE and depend on the grades you got so if you wanted to progress to do Biology but only got a D you probably won't be allowed to. Only 16-19 years can be in 6th form but you still will have other school children in the same building as you. Its last for 2 years. 6th Form College-This is where you do your A-Levels, IB or BTech qualifications. You need these to get into University "college". You can go to college complete these qualifications so you can get into University or you can go and go straight to work but are more employable because you have these qualifications which are regarded higher then GCSE's or no qualifications at all. 6th form colleges are less formal then 6th forms (e.g you can dress in your own clothes, in my one you can call teachers by their first names, you get more free periods, can come and go as you like if you don't have classes) but they are strictly for 16-19 year olds. You won't have any other kids of any other age (like 13 year olds) their with you. My school has photo ID we have to show the security guards before we can enter so nobody who doesn't attend my college can't get in and my other friend has a card which she has to buzz in to get inside 6th form college. Lasts for only 2 years and you know only do 4 subjects of your choice. Community College-This is where you usually earn diploma's and do courses such as hairdressing and beauty, plumbing, secretarial, building work ( basically skilled work). It can be for ANY age though usually 14 and over (some schools send children to college part time as well as doing school as part of a Vocational Course usually if they aren't predicted to pass school so the school sets them up with something to fall back on or some kids in my school who were a problem or decided they didn't want to go school anymore went to college). They only last 2 years. 6th forms or 6th form colleges are harder to get into then community college like some might ask for 7 As at GCSE to attend or some might ask for all As or Bs at GCSE in the subjects you wish to study at A-Level. Or some might be easier and just ask for 5 A-C grades at least at GCSE and an A-C in the subject you wish to study. Then you move to University once you get you A-Levels or IB qualifications. Most University's last 3 years or 4 if you do a sandwich course for a year (work experience or internship you might call it)

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You have already got some good answers, but just to correct some of the info given - In Scotland children start primary school the autumn after they turn 5. They go through primary 1 thru primary 7, then on to secondary 1 thru secondary 4, when they take their standard grade exams. Most choose to stay on for at least one more year, often two more years. They can do Highers in subjects they have got good enough grades for in their Standard grades. However, if they do not have good grades in a subject, or if they did not do that subject for Standard grades, they can do Intermediate modules in Secondary 5, and then go on to do the Higher in that subject in Secondary 6. If they do Highers in S5, they may have enough Highers (usually at least 3 or 4) to go straight to university, or they can stay on for S6 and do more Highers, or do Advanced Highers. Most Scottish school children are also encouraged to do at least two Intermediates in practical subjects. This gives a rounded education and even someone going on to university will benefit from perhaps learning touch typing and cooking. In England and Wales, although some pupils choose to go to college to do their A levels, others choose to continue at school. Most in Scotland continue at school, but the system allows them to (and encourages them to) study one subject at college, while continuing at school. An HNC (higher national certificate) is equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree. An HND (higher national diploma) is equivalent to the first two years. Some universities, for some degrees, allow you to do one more year at the university to gain a bachelor's degree. Some schools have uniforms, some don't. Some wear uniforms right through until the end of school, others stop uniform for the last year or two. The better the school, the more likely it is to have a uniform. Most Scottish children stay on at least for S5. In England, most children leave school as soon as they are legally able to , at age 15. Sadly, far too many can barely read and write.

woollysheep

Slight differences between Scotland and England. Scotland - free nursery education , half day five days a week from age 3. Primary education - 7 years to age about 12 Secondary Education - S1 to S4 when about 15% leave school after taking Standard Grade examinations (Currently - changes in 2 years - see Curriculum for Excellence.) est stay on for S5 attempting up to 6 Higher Grade or national Certificate exams. Most also stay on for S6 taking more Highers or Advanced Highers. See SQA site - http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/CCC_FirstPage.jsp I England there are only 6 years in Primary and they move on to GCSE courses which they attempt at the same age that Scots take Standard Grades. The English spend 2 years taking 2 or 3 A Level courses ( roughly similar level to Advance higher in Scotland). College in UK tens to be vocational for those who leave school at 16, for those in particular work or for those who failed to get University entrance. There is an overlap in standards with some colleges offering year 1 of University courses with later access to University. HNC is roughly the same as an ordinary degree from a University. The college within University is simply the way some universities divide up their cohort and can easily be ignored. Further Education Colleges are usually stand-alone institutions. In terms of standards British school courses tend to be more academic than American and British degree courses are also at a higher level. American post-graduate courses tend to be at a higher level than those in the UK. Note that English Universities have 3 years for an honours degree while Scottish ones last 4 years.

Johnka

WOW. I wrote this whole answer out and the DELETED IT! I'll edit in a bit, after I've calmed down. LOL There isn't any need for me to edit now, haha. All that I'll add is that some secondary schools choose what GCSE's they'll take in Y8 (Most Y9) But I picked them in year 8, and started KS4 (The course) In year 9. I'm Y10 now, but yeah.. everyone has said what I wrote earlier:-) @woollysheep The only thing I'll correct you on is that in England, you can't leave at 15, it has to be 16.... & my year (Year10) HAS to stay on at Year 12 (At-least) or go on to college, but we have to stay in education for an extra year. The Current Y8's (Well, In my school, not sure about the others) Have to stay on until Year 13

Megan

it is different in scotland to the rest of the uk, and im not sure aboout northern ireland but in england and wales ages 2 - 4 - nursery primary school reception - age 4-5 year1 - age 5-6 year 2 age 6-7 year 3 age 7-8 year 4 age 8-9 year 5 age 9-10 year 6 age 10 - 11 high school year 7 age 11-12 year 8 age 12-13 year 9 age 13-14 year 10 age 14-15 year 11 age 15 - 16 we do gsces in year 10 and 11 this is the end of compulsory education ages 16 - 18 - college - a levels or vocational courses age 18+ university to do BAs etc and beyond

cymru am byth

Generally speaking in England and Wales: Primary Education: aged 4/5 to 11 Secondary Education: aged 11 to 16 During the last 2 years, years 10 and 11, students study for GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) People must stay in school until the age 16 but then can leave and either get a job or stay on at that school if it has a sixth form and do "A" levels for 2 years or go to a sixth form college for the same or go to a further education college, again to "A" levels or their equivalents. "A" levels or equivalent are required to gain entry to university to study on a degree programme (Higher Education). Degree programmes are generally 3 years long but some, eg medicine and dentistry, can be considerably longer. Our education system is quite diverse and there are variations to the above. There is a definite distinction between further education colleges and universities but, to confuse the issue, some universitites are regarded as being made up of colleges (not further education colleges). I hope I have helped. Please be aware that I have left out many alternative qualifications at further and higher education level.

Ray

When I was at school it was: Infant school - aged 4-7 Junior school - aged 7-11 Secondary school - aged 11-18 (they called it 6th form for the last 2 years - You started in 1st year aged 11 and at 16 you were in 5th year so that's where 6th form came from) Then university if you did A'levels and college if you wanted to do something like office work, hairdressing, cooking etc. You could also go to college at 16 if you wanted to and leave school. You could also leave and get a job at 16. Not a lot has changed. A lot of schools now follow a similar grade thing to the USA but I think it's a bit different - correct me if I'm wrong but I think in the USA you leave in Year 12 when you're 18 and for some reason in the UK I think it's now Year 13. However some of this depends on the education authority and the school. Private schools may still call it 1st year and 2nd year etc. I think most places in the UK still call the last 2 years 6th form and some schools only go up to age 16 - they don't have a 6th form so the kids have to go to 6th form college. This is quite popular around Cambridge where I used to live. University courses I think depend on what subject you're doing. A lot of them are around 3 years but you can stay on longer and get more qualifications (my sister did 5 years).

BigSis

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