The highest level in a British secondary school is called. Higher education in the UK

25.04.2020

19.09.2017

Higher education institutions in the UK are divided into:

– classical universities (University)

– polytechnic universities (Polytechnics)

- University Colleges

– colleges of higher education (Colleges of Higher Education)

Most of them are public universities which are characterized by their autonomy. They are free to invest the finances of their choice and earn income, but at the same time, in order to receive government funding, which, by the way, can be from 30 to 90% of their total balance, they must demonstrate the excellence of research and teaching.

And it is worth noting that the state conducts a thorough control of the quality of education. British universities operate under the constant supervision of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). The responsibilities of the organization include monitoring compliance with all mandatory requirements, as well as encouraging universities to constantly improve their programs.

Stages of higher education in the UK:

- Bachelor's degree (Degree courses or Undergraduate courses)

- Postgraduate studies

- Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland there are three-year undergraduate programs, while in Scotland they take four years. After completing this program, applicants graduate with a Bachelor's Degree (or First Degree). According to research, the number foreign students, studying in the bachelor's degree, is 10%.

Types of programs for applicants and students of British universities:

Diploma

If you studied for a year or several years at a domestic university and decided to continue, then this program is for you. In 9 months you can master the material of the first school year British university, receive language training and adapt to study in England. Successful completion of the Diploma program makes it possible to go directly to the second year of an English university without entrance exams. But we recommend that you familiarize yourself in advance with the list of universities that recognize this program and work on it.

Next steps master's and doctoral studies. Here, with the preparation for admission, things are much easier. A Russian certificate of higher education is enough to enroll in a British university. But sometimes it happens that there is not enough knowledge and language practice for successful admission and passing master's course in England. And it turns out that preparatory programs are necessary to get comfortable in new system educational process, understand the essence British learning and adapt existing knowledge for it.

Pre-Masters, Pre-MBA

These programs are designed specifically for applicants whose second language is English. They provide active language and academic training and help students get comfortable in an English-speaking environment and study abroad. Education takes place in universities and colleges and the duration can vary from one to three semesters.

Graduate Diploma

Suitable as a preparation for admission to the magistracy who wish to change their specialization. First, students learn English and the basics of a new chosen specialty. At the second stage of preparation, they study in depth the core subjects of specialization. Exams are taken at the end of the program. If the scores are high, students are guaranteed admission to the master's program of the chosen university.

Themselves master's programs and MBA programs in the UK are mostly one year long, while in other countries they take two years. At this stage, the number of foreigners among future masters reaches 45%. Almost always, at the end of training, you must pass written exams in the field of specialization and submit a dissertation.

The third stage of higher education - Master of Philosophy, PhD. This stage consists exclusively in research activities. This period lasts two years and ends with the defense of a dissertation, after which the degree of Master of Philosophy is awarded. Then you can continue your studies for another three years and apply for a Ph.D. Again, by submitting a dissertation.

The final step - Scientific research. This level of doctoral degree is awarded to professionals in the field of jurisprudence, natural sciences, humanities, medicine, music and theology. To obtain the title, you must publish a certain number of research papers.

The variety and choice of preparatory and basic programs is impressive. Sometimes, figure them out on your own, and most importantly, prepare Required documents timely is difficult. Therefore, so that your nerves and time are not wasted, it is better in this area.

The UK education system is a product that has taken centuries to perfect. In the 21st century, it is considered a reference. It was this system that provided the core for the teaching lines of states. Both before and now teenagers go to England to get a competitive education.

The system of higher education in the UK is 4 periods:

Training;
General;
Afterschool;
Higher.

The stages of education in England are also post-graduate courses.

Compulsory education in the UK is eleven years. As the name implies, this is the minimum that is inevitable for the passage. It has a couple of steps:

Initial;
General.

preparatory education

The process of learning in foggy Albion arises from the earliest nails. Toddlers literally from the age of two already begin to gnaw at the granite of science. Primary education in the UK is performed through:

nursery;
Kindergartens (Nursery School);
primary schools;
Full cycle institutes (from two to 18 years).

As we can see, even kindergartens are not called kindergartens, but schools. And their programs are special. The emphasis is not on the fact that the baby could be sent somewhere while the parents are at work, but on the fact that the baby could early years learn elementary learning materials.

Secondary education

The school system in the UK is not only a school direction. In Britain, there are also institutions of a different format. What are they needed for? Everything is aimed at ensuring that the parent can choose education in harmony with personal conditions. If a university is planned, one school is chosen, if parents want special educational schemes, another school is chosen:

Boarding school. Status studies aimed at enrolling in universities. Specificity: a teenager lives there all year. Separate boarding schools are in demand in the country. Russians can also enter the establishments;
Private schools. Specificity: personal approach, detailed study of the material, availability of all tools and equipment in the school. The doors of commercial schools are also open to Russians;
Public Schools. Only an Englishman can learn in them without spending money.

Colleges in England for Russians, schools where teachers communicate in the language of the Russian Federation, have not been created. Education is only in English.

There are types of schools with specifics:

Grammar. This is a path to the development of academic knowledge. Such schools are relevant if a teenager plans to try himself as a university representative;
Modern. Emphasis on applied learning. Schools of this specificity become relevant when a person plans to start mastering work qualifications;
Standard. Training according to the standard, in which the load is uniform. These are general establishments.

Transnational colleges are a chance for a high school diploma. They enter at the age of 14-18 years. Colleges have programs for admission to a university. Their passage is a guarantee of admission to the university without introductory tests.

Exams in the UK catch up with teenagers at the end of school. They contain the change of 6-8 items. If a person sees himself as a university student in the future, he will need to pass mathematics, a foreign language, natural sciences, and English.

Video about British schools

Post-secondary education

Places to explore professional programs(Tertiary College) is an analogue of schools with an emphasis on preparing for admission to the university. What does vocational education in the UK provide? This is an offer for teenagers who decide not to pursue higher education, but at the same time want to be competitive in the job market. The issued diploma is a pass to work in the chosen field.

Post-secondary education will take 2 years. The main goal is to pass the A-Level exam.

Its specifics:

The student must expect exams after each year, as in regular studies;
In the first year, a person chooses 4-5 disciplines;
In the second year, a person stops his choice in 3-4 directions;
Subjects are not chosen randomly. It is expected that the teenager has already understood what he wants to become. In accordance with its purpose, lessons are selected.

Post-secondary education is given over to the implementation of institutions:

colleges;
Institutes, lessons in which are sharpened both for university programs and for professional places of study;
In institutions.

Most often, for Russians, the A-Level program is the first step on the way to education in foggy Albion. Russians can switch to the Foundation program. Its specificity:

Election of 1-2 disciplines;
Learning the language of the state.

Through the efforts of representatives of educational structures and employers, a different version of the Foundation program was created. Its specificity:

Duration of passage: 12 months;
This is an option for teenagers and adults who work. These programs are for busy people.

Higher education

The primary education of universities is called undergraduate. In the UK, there is a two-level training scheme. If in our country such a scheme appeared only in 2002, then in England it was perfected centuries ago.

Higher education in the UK is implemented through:

State Universities;
Prof. colleges;
Private universities;
Commercial colleges;
State. colleges.

In Britain there are degrees:

By art;
in economic sciences;
By architecture;
For accounting;
By engineering.

You have to pay money for it. But the British can achieve and budget places. Russians and others Foreign citizens cannot apply for the budget. Only a teenager or an adult who has received a post-secondary education can enter them. The device is asking for the following data:

Scores already acquired in exams or expected scores;
A compact essay on goals, justification of why a teenager chose a particular area;
List of universities desirable for admission;
Characteristics from the school.

Secondary education in the Russian Federation will not become a pass to universities in England. What to do? You need to unlearn two years at a Russian university, pass the IELTS test, which will “tell” about the mastery of the language.

For studying in England, the legalization of a diploma of the Russian Federation is relevant: its translation into English, a meeting with a notary. It is necessary to confirm the authenticity of the diploma.

A student who graduates from a university becomes a bachelor.

The higher education system in England will take 3-4 years. The exact dates depend on the chosen future work.

Video about higher education in England

Postgraduate education

Postgraduate education in England is postgraduate and doctoral studies. There are four study programs in England that make up the post-graduate category:

Schemes for the passage to the magistracy. Will take from six months to a year;
Programs in specialties, through a number of which one can obtain a master's degree;
Academic and research programs, through which one can acquire a master's degree;
Doctorate. Will take 5-8 years.

There is one more difference from the domestic educational scheme - in Britain, the magistracy is an autonomous institution. This is not a transformation of the bachelor's level, as is customary in Russian reality.

Master's degree will take a year of time. The learning process is short but very intense. Requests to students are tough.

How to get into the magistracy? A bachelor's degree is the entry ticket. If a person has received the status of a master, he can choose to continue post-graduate studies with doctoral studies. You need to pass a test and an interview. Foreigners need to provide an IELTS certificate confirming the required level of knowledge of the official language of Britain.

Grading system

The grading system in the UK is not unified. That is, it, unlike our fatherland, is diverse. Based on these factors, the evaluation structure is selected:

Region;
The specifics of training.

There are two grading systems:

Holidays in the UK

Studying in England in the summer for children, as a rule, is aimed at learning the language. However, for teenagers there are also courses:

By art;
By design;
Acting and others.

They help you learn new skills. Since the training is associated with intensive communication with the British, the bonus is the pumping of English proficiency.

Getting an education for Russians

Education in England for Russians is ideally done when the child is very young. To implement this, a commercial school is selected. In this option, the teenager will have time to adapt to English standards, master the language, get used to the environment. How much does it cost to study in England? Institutional policy is the center of decisions. The estimated price for commercial schools in the country will be 4-5 thousand pounds per trimester.

This is relevant only for those students who are eager to go to Cambridge or other status universities. If the ambitions of a teenager and his parents are not so great, you can prefer small private schools, the price of education in which is, plus or minus, 2 thousand pounds.

Can education in England be free? Unfortunately, Russians have virtually no access to education, for which they will not have to pay money. However, nevertheless, you can acquire an education without paying money for it, according to the following schemes:

Registration of citizenship, which will make it possible to apply for budget places;
Participation in international programs;
Exchange trips, if the Russian university has established contacts with local universities;
Grants for study in England;
Scholarships from the Russian Federation or from universities in Britain.

By the way, some people are so obsessed with studying in foggy Albion that they try to get to their dream by very extravagant methods. For example, applying for refugee status. But this is a laborious path, since refugee status with all its privileges is not granted to everyone.

To solve the problem of tuition fees, it is better to contact directly the representative of the educational institution in which the teenager dreams of enrolling. In a personal case, a reduction in the cost of training is possible.

In conclusion, it can be noted that the majority, when it comes to education, is stopped by the significant price and the fact that foreigners have to pay for education. However, solutions financial problem possible. To search for them, it is recommended to contact representatives of institutions directly, since information about grants and programs is not advertised extensively.

24.04.2018

The modern education system in England is based on its own traditions of teaching the younger generation, accumulated over the centuries. Not just because she deserved the status of a reference. As has been said more than once, many educational institutions in the UK are known for their centuries-old history and are famous for their amazing quality of education.

At the moment, the English education system includes four main stages:

Primary education— from 5 to 11 years;
Secondary - from 11 to 16 years;
After school - from 16 to 18 years;
Higher - from the age of 18.

The main stages of education in England (based on public schools):

children aged 5-11 attend primary school;
children aged 11-16 study in secondary school;
at 16 - 18 years old - receive a complete secondary education;
at 18 - 22 students receive a bachelor's degree.

Before going to school, the child takes a pre-school training course (from the age of 3), during which the emphasis is on educational issues and developmental activities, the material is presented in game form. Knowledge at this stage is not overloaded. The basic principle is that there is a time for everything.
At the age of 5, all children, without exception, without fail, begin their studies at, where they study until they are 11.

When moving to secondary school, the exact sciences and additional lessons are added to the basic list of subjects: geography, history, the basics of religion, art, music, foreign languages.
At the age of 16, children graduate from high school. In order to receive a diploma of secondary education, it is necessary to pass the GCSE final exam. However, this diploma does not give the right to enter higher educational institutions.

In order to try your hand at entering, you need to become the owner of an A-Level certificate (with a fairly high average score), which is issued upon completion of the course at university preparation schools - the so-called Six Form. Education here lasts two years, during this period is coming deep immersion in the study of 4-6 selected subjects. At the end, an exam is taken, according to the results of which an A-Level certificate is issued.

Academic year in English schools divided into trimesters. Holidays during the school year twice, last for two weeks, timed to coincide with the Catholic holidays - Easter and Christmas, summer holidays- six weeks. There is a short seven-day break during each trimester.

Secondary (school) education in the UK is expected to:

Transfer of cultural experience. Schools and other educational institutions must pass on to the new generation the cultural heritage, the wisdom of previous generations, which from time immemorial have been recognized as valuable and zealously guarded by the British.
Socialization of the younger generation. Schools are conduits for accepted patterns of behavior and the values behind it. Children realize social roles, which they have to play in society, in the professional field of activity, personal, family.
Preparation for the profession. This refers to the knowledge and skills necessary for subsequent professional activities. This includes both academic knowledge and practical skills necessary for mastering a particular profession.

In England there are a lot of schools for children requiring a special approach. They are attended by children with mental or physical disabilities. The program in them is simpler and focused on the characteristics of the students. Here in progress learning be sure to connect psychologists and physiotherapists.

Many parents have a cherished dream - to send their child to study at. Pupils here, in addition to the prestigious and high level of education, receive full maintenance. The range of subjects studied in a private school is much wider than in a public one, and Teaching Staff distinguished by high qualifications and an impressive material base.

Do not forget that the school system in the UK is famous for the strictest discipline, so even in a private school, where education is paid and costs a lot of money, do not expect concessions. Students may be expelled for poor academic performance and inappropriate behavior.

The modern system of higher education in England is distinguished by its democratic character. Universities have a rich selection of different courses, from which you can choose the one that suits you, and if necessary, change the list of selected subjects for study.

UK universities are divided into two types:

Collegiate (consisting of colleges. For example, the universities of Cambridge and Oxford);
Unitary (with faculties and departments in the form of subdivisions).

The British government has completely entrusted the formation of educational policy to higher education institutions, the state only controls the quality of teaching.

All students without exception English universities have access to libraries and scientific laboratories equipped according to modern standards. Students have the opportunity to attend various electives. Educational programs allow in the learning process to get not one, but two degrees of different directions.

Quite popular in the UK and. This format of training, as usual, takes place independently, but based on educational materials developed specifically for such students, as well as on periodic consultations with teachers online and by e-mail.

Historically, it has been British education resembles a pyramid: in the early stages, education is carried out in a wide range of disciplines, in the future, their circle is narrowed based on the choice of the students themselves, who at the age of 14 determine which exams they will take in the future.

Higher education in the UK is one of the oldest in the world. The oldest universities in the country were founded in the 16th century. Now, the UK education system is built in such a way that, with the availability of funds and desire, students from Russia can also become a small part of it.

The names of the main and most prestigious British universities are well known to everyone - this is and, but they are also famous and respected London School Economics and City University London.

After graduation Russian school go straight to British university unlikely to succeed - many universities require applicants to complete an A-Level (2 years) or Foundation (1 year) training program. The second is especially popular with foreign students. Do not worry about the fact that admission to a university will be delayed for a year or two: you can get a bachelor's degree at a British university in three years against the usual four, and the quality of education will still be high.

Another option is to unlearn two courses at Russian university, pass (Cambridge or IELTS), but in this case to get into top universities may not be counted.

To enter a British university, you need to fill out an application on the website of the Central Bureau of UCAS ((Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), and you need to do this in advance, six months in advance, and if we are talking about Cambridge, then even earlier.

If you have not finished school yet, you can indicate the expected scores in the subjects. However, high grades in the certificate are not enough if you are going to storm Oxford or Cambridge - the two most are also held entrance exams in and interviews.

After Cambridge and Oxford, Imperial College London, London School of Economics, University of York, University of Warwick, University of Bristol and University of Nottingham are next in the ranking of British universities.

The cost of undergraduate education for international students ranges from 10 to 40 thousand pounds per year. For students who are not citizens of EU member states, opportunities to receive financial assistance not much, and in most cases it will cover only part of the tuition fee. However, there are various awards, competitions and scholarships, and you should definitely try to apply for them.

Fundamental higher education The United Kingdom is built on historical traditions. For most English-speaking countries, it has been a reference for many years; universities, higher schools, university colleges in the USA, Australia, and Canada were built according to English models. In higher education in the UK, traditional forms of education and new trends are organically combined. High price education is due to the complexity of curricula, high qualification of teachers, fullness educational process advanced equipment, increased attention to the quality of education of each student.

In most universities, the standards of higher education, academic degrees are brought to international standards, divided into stages "bachelor's course", "master's degree". Postgraduate education is called doctoral studies. For the vast majority of students, tuition is paid, British citizens often receive a state loan to pay for their studies.

University education in England

The universities of Oxford and Cambridge have become the hallmark of British education for the rest of the world. For more than six hundred years, two universities provided the vast British Empire with scientific, managerial, and engineering personnel. This led to the huge size of universities, corporate spirit, constant rivalry, unshakable traditions of higher schools.

To unique features oldest universities include individual teaching methods practiced only here. The highest level of education is ensured by the qualifications of teachers, constant quality control of acquired knowledge, skills independent work With educational materials. The result of centuries of practice was the permanent place of Cambridge, Oxford in the top five top universities peace.

Universities are in many ways similar in terms of study methods, which gave reason to the British to call them the collective word Oxbridge. Similarity, proximity, the same development of higher schools, constant competition - due to the fact that Cambridge was founded by a group of professors and students expelled from Oxford.

Universities are almost equal in size. As part of University of Cambridge 31 colleges (of which three are women's), 19,000 students study. In addition to the traditional historical university classical, theological, philosophical, historical, law, mathematics, physics, language faculties, in Cambridge there are faculties of art history, music, electrical engineering, information systems, computer design.

There are 38 colleges in Oxford, 20,000 students (of which 25% are foreigners). The non-traditional departments for a classical university include such areas of study as the history of medicine, anthropology, public health, the study of modern China, and the Internet Institute.

Other British universities work on their own original curricula, which can be oriented towards historical, international types of education.

An example would be the University of Sheffield, which is in the top ten prestigious universities England. Inter National composition teachers (3200 people) allows to train 35000 students. At the university, students' studies are combined with research work, for which about five million pounds are allocated per year. Research results are used in the development of such industrial monsters as NASA, Microsoft, Sony, Philips.

The universal type of higher school is defined by a set of faculties that unite the faculties of art and design, biosciences, construction, business and management at the university, computer science, Engineering, Banking, Funds mass media, physiotherapy, social sciences, sports, hospitality.

Technical higher education

The increased need for technical personnel after the last world war caused a surge in the construction of new technical universities, which include the higher schools of Nottingham, Exeter, Sussex, Kent.

Specialized universities of a new type were often called "glass" in the modern architecture of buildings. Another wave of growth technical universities came at the end of the century (1992). More than thirty polytechnics have received university status.

Technical universities, higher colleges are more evenly distributed throughout the country. They are tied not to the center of England, but to industrial areas. Higher schools are directly connected with industrial enterprises. At the request of employers, areas of study are often formed, learning programs. Compared to traditional universities, these universities are more compact, teaching a smaller number of students. Their advantage is practical focus, active research activities, up-to-date curricula, easy employment.

An example of such a university would be Loughborough University. Having received university status in 1966, the university became the first in England technological university. Of the three faculties, engineering is the leading one (besides it, there are faculties of natural sciences, social and humanitarian faculties). In addition to teaching eighteen thousand students, the university is famous for its scientific - research center, with which the British aerospace complex cooperates. Ford, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems have become permanent partners of the university, customers of scientific research and technological developments. They also receive applications for talented university graduates, often still in the process of studying.

Higher education in Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland

Higher schools in Northern Ireland and Wales are built on British traditions. Political strife, acts of terrorism - do not contribute to the desire of foreign students to Irish universities, which are not inferior to English high schools in terms of the quality of education.

One of the major technical universities in Ireland is Institute of Technology Crust. According to the classical canons, it studies natural sciences, humanitarian subjects, business, art, music, although the main direction is engineering sciences.

More specialized is the City University of Dublin. The young Dublin City University has been operating since 1975. The main areas of education are business, electronics, computer technology, communications. In these specialties, the university has received recognition in Ireland, England, and Europe. For the first time, the INTRA employment system was introduced into the training programs at the university. By program international exchange Erasmus Irish students of the University of Dublin are studying in Spain, Germany, France.

Aberystwyth University was the first university in Wales. In a small Welsh town, students make up half of the population (8,000 students). International authority is deserved by the faculties of theatrical art, television production, Celtic languages, literature of Wales.

The leading specialty of the university was teaching at the Faculty of International Politics, established in 1919. International organizations highly appreciate research work university, teaching activities.

Swansea University is one of the modern universities in South Wales. The faculties of the university are called higher schools, they study humanitarian sciences, foreign languages, business, economics, engineering, environment, health care, psychology, sociology, law, medicine, exact sciences.

Scotland stands out from the British regions with the greatest attraction to higher education, European leadership in the number educated people. Scottish scientists lead research molecular biology, astrophysicists, genetics. The achievements of Scottish livestock breeders are among the world's breakthroughs. Many universities in Scotland enjoy the highest prestige among the British; members of the royal family prefer studying in them.

In addition to the main universities in Scotland (the University of Edinburgh, St. Andrews, the classical universities of Glasgow, Aberdeen), the level of education is high in other Scottish higher schools.

So, Aberdeen Robert Gordon University, founded in the recent 1970, accepts fifteen thousand students. classic fundamental education provide faculties of law, pharmacy, medicine and health, natural sciences. Non-traditional faculties of nursing, business, computer technology, art and design, social work.

According to British ratings recent years the university is constantly in the lead among young universities, especially in terms of employment. Robert Gordon University is considered the best in training specialists in the oil and gas industry, petroleum exploration, and scientific research in petrochemistry. This causes the constant interest of the largest employers - the oil companies Shell, BP, Total.

For a better mastery of the specialty, practical professional skills, the university, together with oil workers, organizes paid internships for students. Reinforcing academic knowledge with practical skills brings highly qualified graduates.

Particularly well represented in the UK elite education system.

High-ranking families from around the world try to enroll their children in prestigious British schools or universities, as studying in them guarantees not only the acquisition of deep knowledge, but the acquisition of secular manners, the British style of behavior and wide connections in the world of business and politics.

british system sufficient flexibility. Among the many different training courses You can always find exactly the one that suits you, and, if desired, the selected items can be changed.

Regardless of age, nationality and religion, anyone who successfully passes entrance tests(it is necessary to pass an international exam in English, documents from the school, sometimes pass the test of the educational institution)

Secondary education

Modern education system in the UK consists of four levels: primary (Elementary School), secondary (Secondary School), vocational or post-school (Further Education) and higher (Higher Education).

preschool education takes place in kindergartens and preschool classes. Primary education is received by children from 5 to 11-12 years old. From the age of 5, children attend two-year schools for toddlers (pre-preparatory school), from 7 to 11 years - primary schools(primary, elementary or preparatory school). From the age of 11-12, the stage of secondary education begins for children.

The UK has public and private schools. All schools adhere to the same educational minimum. Compulsory free secondary education for schoolchildren under 16 was introduced by law.

School graduates take final exams and receive GCSE certificate of secondary education(General Certificate of Secondary Education). This certificate is sufficient to start self-employment, but does not give the right to enter higher education institutions.

State Schools- free, designed for teaching English children, as well as for foreigners from 8 to 18 years old, whose parents have the right to permanent residence in the UK.

International Colleges (International Colleges)- secondary educational institutions that accept only foreign students from 14 to 18 years old. Accommodation is offered both in student dormitories (on the school grounds) and in host families.

V international colleges education is conducted in accordance with the British secondary school system. Subjects taught: mathematics, physics, algebra and geometry, chemistry, biology, geography, human anatomy, sociology, political science, fundamentals of legislation, statistics, history, music, art, computers and programming, English language, English literature, fundamentals of religion, one or more foreign languages(French, German, Spanish, etc.).

In addition to the main subjects, each school has additional ones, such as Latin, accounting, business basics, economics, and some others.

International Colleges along with school programs offer preparatory programs (Foundation) for university applicants. After successful completion graduates are enrolled in universities with which there is an agreement on the recognition of the status of these courses. For foreigners who want to get higher education in the UK, this is a very convenient opportunity.

The main condition for admission to a British university is the presence international certificate for English language .

Year of study for preparatory courses- good practice and preparation for self-study in English at the university, and, in addition, the opportunity to prepare and pass the required language exam.

Private schools (Independent Schools)- a more prestigious form of education mainly for English children (85%). The percentage of foreign students should be no more than 15%. These schools cater for children between the ages of 8 and 18.

Good private schools are independent, well-equipped educational institutions that own about several hundred hectares of land, on the territory of which there are educational buildings, sports facilities, a swimming pool, residences for living. Accommodation is mainly in residence, but some schools offer accommodation in local families.

Public and private boarding schools, as a rule, have a good reputation, a long history and traditions.

Professional education

In addition to schools in Britain, there are Tertiary Colleges that offer professional (Vocational) education and are an alternative to A Level programs.

Professional education, obtained at Tertiary College, assumes a professional activity after graduation, while A Level programs prepare for university entrance.

Educational programs are constantly changing. The qualifications that are awarded at the end of these programs are also changing. Below are the most common professional qualifications.

NVQ (National Vocational Qualification).

This qualification is for practical work. It confirms the ability of a graduate to perform a certain job in a particular area of business or production. NVQ standards are based on the real requirements of employers and reflect their practical needs.

NVQ qualifications are now possible in most areas of manufacturing and commerce. There are 5 levels of NVQ from Foundation Skills (NVQ 1) to Professional (NVQ 5). In order to qualify, it is necessary to show in practice the ability to perform work in accordance with established standards.

The training takes place directly at the workplace. The training program consists of separate modules that can be mastered independently. due date there is no training during which the program must be completed.

GNVQ (General National Vocational Qualification).

Unlike A Levels, it is suitable for those who are prone to practical activities. The GNVQ, like the NVQ, is a multi-level qualification that provides a foundation of knowledge in the chosen field that the student can use to continue their studies at colleges of further education, university entrance (GNVQ Advanced) or employment. Advanced level requires nearly two years of study to complete.

ND (National Diploma).

This qualification is similar to the GNVQ Advanced qualification. Colleges of Further Education allow you to complete a further education program that ends with exams and the issuance of the highest national diploma (Higher National Diploma, commonly abbreviated - HND).

HND can be obtained after two years of study in almost any academic or professional specialty.

In the field of vocational education, diplomas issued by one of the three main examination committees are most highly valued and recognized: the CGLI (City & Guilds of London Institute) diploma, the RSA (Royal Society of Arts) diploma, and the BTEC (Business and Technical Education Council) diploma. Many colleges are authorized to issue degrees on behalf of one of these examination committees.

Other institutions issue either their own diplomas and certificates or diplomas from other examination committees. Highest value diploma HND has for those who are going to get involved immediately professional activity while receiving a bachelor's degree.

From the point of view of a professional career, this diploma allows you to move up the career ladder within the middle technical or junior management of a company, enterprise, institution.

Diploma allows you to enter the university in one of the programs leading to a bachelor's degree and receive a degree in just two years.

To enroll in HND programs, you must have a GCE / A Level, GNVQ Advanced, or National Diploma certificate of secondary education.

The definition of "Further Education" in the UK refers to professional education not leading to a degree or its equivalent. The definition of "higher education" (Higher Education) in the UK refers to programs whose purpose is to award a degree (Degree): Bachelor Degree, Master Degree or Doctoral (Doctoral or PhD Degree).

Higher education

In England and Wales, a bachelor's degree requires three years of study; in Scotland, four. In the case when obtaining a degree requires not only study, but also industrial practice (Sandwich courses), the total period will be correspondingly extended.

At some universities and colleges, from those students who intend to receive degree in some specific areas, such as art and design, you must first take a basic course, and then spend three years in your chosen field.

Training course ending with a bachelor's degree, in fields such as medicine, dentistry and architecture, usually lasts up to seven years.

Bachelor degree. There are several options for the bachelor's degree awarded in the UK. Their name depends on the specialization. The four main degrees are Bachelor of Arts BA (Bachelor of Arts), Bachelor of Science BSC (Bachelor of Science), Bachelor of Engineering BENG (Bachelor of Engineering), Bachelor of Law LLB (Bachelor of Law). There is also a Bachelor of Medicine and Dentistry.

The bachelor's degree is awarded after three or four years of specialized full-time study at a university or college. The British Bachelor's degree is recognized all over the world, which gives high chances for a successful professional career in any country. Bachelor Degree is the first stage of higher education. The second step is the Master Degree.

Postgraduate Courses. This level of education begins after a bachelor's degree and leads to a master's and doctoral degree.

Master's Degree. There are two types of programs: programs focused on research activities and programs focused on professional development in one of the specializations.

As a rule, master's programs consist of a course of lectures and seminars, exams are taken, then students make a graduation project. According to the results of exams and defense thesis a master's degree is awarded.

Master's research degree (Research) is called the Master of Philosophy M.Phil (Master of Philosophy). This degree is obtained after 1-2 years of independent scientific work under the supervision of a supervisor. Based on the results of this work, a master's degree is awarded.

Doctoral Degree (Doctor of Philosophy - Doctoral or PhD Degree). In the UK, most doctoral programs are purely research projects. No lectures or training seminars are usually held.

The supervisor, in the laboratory or department of which the student is preparing for the doctoral degree, determines the topic for the student scientific research and provides the facilities necessary for research (workplace, equipment and materials).

It takes 2-3 years to complete a research program. By the end of this period, the student must publish the results obtained in official reports, in scientific or specialized journals and write a dissertation based on published materials. The doctoral degree is awarded after successfully defending a dissertation.

TEN- a group (association) of independent British schools with a very high reputation, working in the market of educational services for more than 30 years.

The Association was founded in 2010 to carry out joint marketing activities and exchange of experience, which improves the quality of work of school personnel with foreign students.

TEN member schools are located in ten different UK cities: London, Cambridge, Eastbourne, Brighton, Bournemouth, Torquay, Bristol, Oxford and Chester.

BEET Language Center- a small "chamber" school, founded in 1979, is located in the city of Bournemouth. Highly qualified teaching staff ensures the quality of education. A center for the training of teachers of English as a foreign language has been established on the basis of the school. www.beet.co.uk

Cambridge Academy of English- the school was founded in 1975, located on the outskirts of Cambridge, offers quality English programs for foreign students, specialized programs such as English + business, English + law, academic English (preparation for the university).

In the summer, on the basis of private boarding schools Moreton Hall and Princes Helena College, it offers interesting and high-quality programs for students from 9 to 17 years old. www.cabridgeacademy.co.uk

Eastbourne School of English- one of the oldest language schools UK, founded in 1936. Located in the heart of the resort town of Eastbourne, where there are many restaurants, cafes, three theaters, a cinema and a lot of greenery. All year round accepts foreign students over 18 years old. The school is a center for the training of teachers of English as a foreign language. www.esoe.co.uk

Excel English- the school offers quality programs for students accredited by the British Council, and the combination of professional teachers and excellent technical equipment allows students to learn the material in the shortest possible time.

Here you can see modernized classrooms, the combination of green and yellow has a positive effect on the psychological state of students and the comprehensibility of the material. The school is located in one of the expensive residential areas of London, with gardens where you can relax after school. www.excelenlish.co.uk

English in Chester School founded in 1976 as private school medium-sized, such as are found in the UK. As a rule, this is a family business that guarantees you quality in everything from training and accommodation to interesting leisure activities. There is only one reason for this - the desire of the owners that you like it, and you would like to return.

Here is a wonderful habitat, a good national composition. At the same time, students from Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, France, North Korea, the Czech Republic and Russia study here. www.english-in-chester.co.uk

Oxford English Center- the school was founded in 1979, located in an old building in the heart of Oxford, not far from university colleges, well-equipped (interactive whiteboards in the classroom), is an authorized center for receiving TOEIC, BULATS (business). Here students can study General English and English for professional purposes. www.oxfordenglish.co.uk

The English Language Centre, Brighton- the school was founded in 1962 as an independent educational institution. 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of its founding. Located in an old building of the Victorian era in the white-stone resort of Brighton, on the coast.

Offers quality programs for adult students throughout the year, is an authorized admission center for TOEIC BULATS. www.elc-brighton.co.uk

The English Language Centre, Bristol- a small family school, located in two old buildings near Clifton University in Bristol. Beautiful bright classrooms, a well-equipped computer laboratory enable students to master the material well.

The school offers a wide range of English language programs for international students. Provides an individual approach to each student. www.elcbristol.co.uk

Torquay International School, Torquay- the school has existed for 40 years, located in the wonderful seaside town of the same name on the British Riviera in Devon. Accepts students from the age of 16. Special attention focuses on teaching English for professional purposes, including business English, English for finance professionals.

Organizes an interesting program of active events in the afternoon. Provides an individual approach to each student. www.tisenglish.co.uk

Wimbledon School of English- a small building in one of the districts of London - Wimbledon, surrounded by a wonderful garden, a 5-minute walk from Wimbledon station.

Technical equipment (interactive whiteboards in almost every class) in combination with highly qualified teachers ensures high results when moving from level to level.

Offers English for professionals, preparation for international exams in English, courses for teachers.