Can someone explain the british schooling system?

Question

things like what sixth form is, and do they still take A levels? other things like that. How does it work?

Also, I know that IB are accepted everywhere, and AP only in the States, but could you get accepted into a college in England with AP classes?

Really confused.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Ok, it goes something like this:

Primary and middle school: age 4/5 to 11.  No major exams or anything, just bog standard learning for young kids.

Secondary school: 11-16.  Essentially like high school in the US.  You study a broad curriculum until you are 14.  At 14 you choose which subjects (usually 9 or 10 of them) you want to study for your GCSEs and then spend the next 2 years studying them before you take your exams at age 16.  These GCSE results are your first important set of qualifications.

Post-age 16:  Technically you are then legally entitled to leave school (you can't drop out of education until you are 16) and work should you so wish.  However, if you want to carry on in your education you got to....

Sixth form/college:  Whilst these 'establishments' provide a variety of courses and diplomas the most common are A levels.  There has been a slight tweaking of the A level system in recent years but essentially you study for two years and take exams to get A levels in 3 or 4 subjects.  The grades you get in this will dictate which university you can go to.

As for getting in to university with American qualifications, it will probably depend on the individual university so it would be a good idea to contact any universities you are interested in and ask them.  As Americans have had one year less of schooling before they get to university (hence why you go for longer and study a range of subjects instead of focusing on one subject like we do), there may be a requirement for you to complete further education here before going to university.