The below is an overview of the British Education System

I. Schools

Schooling in the UK is provided by both Government funded and independent schools. While Government funded schools charge a nominal fees, Independent schools charge full fees. The Government-run schools follow a national curriculum while the Independent schools can develop their own expertise in addition to the national curriculum.

Primary Schools: Children up to the age of 11 study in primary schools and are taught basic instructions across a wide range of subjects.

Secondary Schools: It usually takes four years of full time study in secondary school to earn General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), at the age of 16. Depending on the grades in GCSE/SCE Standard, pupils can go on to pursue post-16 qualifications such as A levels or AS levels.

After successfully completing the schooling, students can train for a particular career through vocational education and training or go to a University or College for a degree.

II. Vocational Education and training

It is about teaching them the things they need to know to pursue the career they want to follow. The qualifications attained through this mode are regarded as 'industrial qualifications' or 'career based qualifications', some leading to entry to university degree courses.

There are over 500 colleges across the UK offering vocational education and training. Wide ranges of qualifications are possible, which can be divided into:

Competency based qualifications: These qualifications impart you specific skills for a specific job. These courses usually last a few weeks and are usually designed to upgrade the skills you already have. Examples: National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ)

General Vocational qualifications: These courses are designed combining professional and practical learning. Usually the General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) are recognised for admission to first year of a degree course. Examples: GNVQ; BTEC

Higher level qualifications: These courses are designed with maximum emphasis on imparting practical skills, with examinations kept to a minimum. Practical skills are usually imparted through case studies and role-play. Usually these qualifications are recognised for admission to third year of a degree course.

III. Degree

Undergraduate and post-degree courses are considered as 'higher education qualifications'. These are the highest level of study in the UK.

The various qualifications that can be obtained are:

Bachelor Degree: Bachelor degree requires three of full-time study. It involves formal lectures and seminar programs and the assessment is usually through examinations. Students who do not have minimal entry requirements usually undergo a foundation year.

Bachelor Degree with Honours: Bachelor degree with Honours can be achieved following out-standing results during a degree course or by doing one extra year of study.

Master Degree: Masters can be earned either by taught or research mode. Taught Masters can be completed in one year to 18 months of full-time study while Masters through Research takes 2 years of full-time work.

PhD: PhD can be achieved by three years of full time study. PhD is the highest award conferred by the university. It is a research degree and the candidates have to submit a thesis of their work. The final thesis should satisfy the length, depth, originality and significance as required. Minimum duration for this award is 3 years though relaxed timeframe is possible in some extraordinary cases.