UK Education System

In general, it is compulsory for children aged 5 to 16 years in Britain to attend school. At the preparatory or primary school stage, students undertake two Key Stage tests, one at age 7, and the other at age 12. The next stage, secondary school, commences at age 11 or 12. Students from about the age of 14 begin to study for their GCSE exams, generally completed at age 16. Students then have the choice of whether or not to continue with their education; if they choose to proceed with Post-16 education in order to enter tertiary education, they will sit their A-levels at about age 18. Upper level education consists of vocational or technical schools offering certificates and universities and colleges where people can graduate with undergraduate- or postgraduate-level degrees.