Education in the United Kingdom

 

In the United Kingdom there are four key stages of the education system. Key stage one spans from age five to seven, key stage two spans from age seven to eleven, key stage three spans from age eleven to fourteen, and key stage five spans from ages fourteen to sixteen. International Student describes that it is legally required for children to attend all four key stages of schooling. They also describe how there is an assessment after each key stage, but the final assessment after key stage 4 is the most pivotal. This is the most pivotal because it determines if the student will receive their certificate of completion or not. This is equivalent to a high school diploma in the United States. If the student is able to receive their degree they can choose to either continue their education, or enter the workforce. In addition to this Gov UK confirms that children are entitled to government funded schooling free of charge for all four key stages. 

An average school day in the United Kingdom is very similar to an average school day in the United Kingdom. This is according to The High School of Glasgow. A school day throughout key stages one through four starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 3p.m. With their regular school week being Monday through Friday. Nord Anglia International School emphasizes how the calendar year is quite different amongst each of these countries. For example in the United States we have a December break, a Spring Break, and a fairly long summer, but in the United Kingdom they go to school for roughly six to eight weeks and then they will have a week break. As a result of this the United Kingdom has a bit of a shorter break.

In the United States it is common for students to go to college after completing high school. Much like the United States, the United Kingdom also has higher education options after students receive their certificate of completion. The United Kingdom refers to this higher education option as university. HE Professional reports that the amount of students completing highschool is rising. In 2022 the highest percentage of students moving onto university was  37.5%. Among those students attending university in the United Kingdom, Future Fit provides the following statistics. Out of all the attendees at public universities the average graduation rate is 85%. Out of all the attendees at private universities is 25%. Although, these statistics certainly vary by gender, race and other demographic factors. The most notable variation in statistics is with gender. Interestingly enough the graduation rate among males is 60%, but the graduation rate among females is 67%.    

In regards to education topics, the United Kingdom varies from the United States in very few ways. Although there are a handful of differences worth mentioning. This article mentions that the United Kingdom focuses more on academic achievement at an earlier age than the United States does. This article notes a subtle difference how in the United States we teach young children the name of a letter first, but in the United Kingdom they teach children the sounds of the letters first. All and all the academics and curriculums in both countries are extremely comparable.

After reading this article, do you think your education would be much different in the United Kingdom? Let me know in the comments. 

As always, I’ll catch you next time!

Xoxo,

Lil