Primary education in the UK, Primary Education, begins at 5 years old although many British schoolchildren already go to school preparation programs at the age of 3-4. Primary education lasts six years, after which, at the age of 11, students move on to secondary school. Secondary education in the UK lasts five 5 years and is compulsory for students aged 11 to 16 years old. Most of the subjects taught in English school, is mandatory.

UK school graduates receive General Certificate of Secondary Education, abbreviated GCSE- General certificate of secondary education. According to British law, school graduates can start working, enter vocational college or for a college preparatory program.

2. Preparation for a university in the UK and vocational education

For admission to further education programs, a British GSCE certificate of completion of secondary education or its equivalent is required, for example, the Russian Certificate of Complete Secondary Education.

In the UK, there are 2 types of university preparation programs: A-levels and Foundation.

A-levels university preparation programs

At the end high school both British students and foreigners planning to receive their first higher education undergo two-year university preparation programs - A-levels. The presence of A-level programs distinguishes the British education system from the Russian one.

At A-levels, the student himself chooses subjects to study based on the requirements of the university in which he plans to enter. Upon completion of studies at A-levels, the student takes exams in 3-4 subjects studied. These exams are also university entrance exams.

University Preparation Programs International Foundation

Vocational education in the UK

Vocational programs in the UK provide the technical skills and experience needed for employment. Students can combine study and work. Many professional programs allow you to enter a British university for the first or second year of the first higher education.

Correlation with the Russian system of vocational education

British post-education can be compared to vocational education in technical schools, colleges and colleges of the CIS countries. The concept of "subsequent" education includes all types of education after school, except for higher education - these are professional programs and programs of preparation for entering universities. In English, British further education is called Further Education.

3. Higher education in the UK

British Master's Degrees

Level 3: PhD - UK Postgraduate

Postgraduate study in the UK, like the master's degree, is a level postgraduate education (postgraduate). On the websites of universities, these programs are most often referred to as "Research programs" or "PhD programmes". PhD programs at British universities are, in fact, equivalent Russian programs graduate school. However, in terms of requirements and quality research work, these programs gravitate more towards Russian doctoral studies.

In the UK, most PhD programs are research projects which involve attending lectures and training seminars only at the beginning of the program. The supervisor, in whose laboratory or department the student prepares for the defense of the dissertation, determines the topic of scientific research for the student and provides the resources necessary for research.

It usually takes 3-4 years to complete a research program. By the end of this period, the student must publish the results and write a dissertation based on the published materials.

What kind of education is needed to enter a British graduate school

To enter the PhD program, you need a master's degree from a Russian, British or other foreign university. A specialist diploma issued by Russian universities is recognized in Britain as a diploma of the first higher education, and in most cases a specialist diploma will not be sufficient for admission to graduate school.

British Postgraduate Degrees

PhD degree, Doctor of Philosophy, PhD, assigned to the student after the successful defense of the dissertation.

Also, postgraduate education programs can lead to doctoral degrees in certain sciences, for example: Doctor of Education ( Doctor of Education, EdD) or Doctor of Business Administration ( Doctor of Business Administration, DBA).

The main difference between the Doctor of Education program and the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD in Education) is that the first program allows you to cover a wider range of subjects related to education and focus on one research problem only at the end of training.

The DBA degree is also a research degree. Such programs are aimed at developing the theory and practice of business administration and management.

Educational institutions for PhD programs

With few exceptions, PhD and other research programs are offered by large multidisciplinary universities with highly qualified academic staff, extensive research facilities and significant research budgets. Read more about how to apply for a UK PhD program here.

Adapted from Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), OECD Thematic Review of Tertiary Education – Country Background Report: UK, The European Educational Directory.

Higher education Great Britain has a rich history, starting with the founding of the Oxford University in the 12th century, and a little later, the Cambridge University. Today, over 300 universities operate in England. You can get an education in the higher schools of the United Kingdom in any specialty.

Modern British education provides international qualifications and is renowned for its excellence in a wide range of subjects. Centuries-old traditions are combined with the latest methodological pedagogical developments and excellent technical equipment of educational buildings - this is how the famous English quality is achieved. An English university degree is recognized in more than 180 countries around the world and opens up excellent career opportunities.

Structure high school It is represented by three degrees: bachelor's, master's and doctoral studies. There is also a separate business education - MBA.

Despite the fact that all universities in the UK are supervised by the Department of Education and Science, there are slight differences in educational systems. Thus, in England it takes three years to obtain a bachelor's degree, in Scotland - four. Many universities provide the opportunity to do an internship during training. In this case, the total duration of study increases by a year. Some specialties related to medicine, dentistry and architecture will require a longer bachelor's degree - up to 7 years. The master's program lasts 1-2 years, depending on the specialty.

Top Universities in England

From year to year, universities in the UK occupy the first lines in the world rankings. So, according to the Times Higher Education World ranking university rankings 2019, the top 500 universities in the world include 58 British universities. The top ten are traditionally Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial College London. Most schoolchildren, dreaming of studying at an English university, most often imagine themselves to be students of these famous educational institutions. In practice, it is not only difficult to enter them, but very difficult - the competition, depending on the faculty, is up to 12 people per place. But before applying to any English university, the Russian student will also need to level the differences between the school certificate of the Russian Federation and the UK.

How can Russians enter a British university?

Unfortunately for Russian applicants, getting into a British university after graduating from a Russian school is impossible. The reason lies in the discrepancy between educational systems: English students spend 13 years at school, while our compatriots spend 11.

In order to compensate for the "gap", you can:

• Study for 1 year at a Russian university, after which to enter the British. This option can be called the most risky - such applicants have a low chance of being enrolled.
• Pass the training in program Foundation, which lasts 1 year and allows you to improve your knowledge of English, as well as "pull up" profile disciplines. The Foundation Certificate is accepted by most British universities, but not all. So before choosing this program, it is better to make sure that the university you are interested in is considering applications from applicants with this type of certificate.
• Get into the UK high school and study there for 2 years by program Advanced Level (A-level) Program or International Baccalaureate Program (IB). The first program is more narrowly focused and is suitable for those who have already decided on their future specialty. IB provides training in a wider range of subjects. Both versions of the certificates are accepted by all higher education institutions in the UK. In fact, you become an English student and will enter the university on a par with the British.

UK university enrollment

The process of admission to universities in the UK is unified and carried out centrally through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). All applicants, including Russians, fill out a special form that contains the following data:

• GCSE score, or the score that a student expects to receive in exams.
• A small essay (personal statement) in which the student talks about his professional plans, justifying the need to study in this area.
• List of universities, in the amount of not more than 6 institutions, in which the applicant would like to enter.

Universities receive applications from applicants and report their decision. Since applications are submitted no later than January, when the final exams have not yet been passed, admission is usually “conditional”. After the applicant receives the results of the final exams, we can talk about the actual admission.

As a rule, applicants calculate their strength in advance - every year in the UK a ranking of universities is published, which indicates the passing scores. For Oxford and Cambridge, they traditionally amount to 100 points (the maximum possible result), but for enrollment it is also necessary to pass exams at the university itself and pass a personal interview. By the way, applications to these educational giants should be sent no later than September of the previous year.

The cost of higher education in the UK

The cost of higher education in the UK is the highest in Europe. However, studying at British universities is considered so prestigious that this does not stop foreigners. It is also worth considering the possibility of obtaining a bachelor's degree in 3 years: reducing the total time of study can significantly save on education. Prices for a year of study range from 10,000 to 22,000 pounds (depending on the university and faculty). The most affordable are humanities faculties: the price rarely exceeds £12,000. Technical specialties will cost about £17,000. For business specialties (economics, political science, law, management), the price tag in leading universities reaches £20,000. doctors. 17,000-22,000 pounds per year - this is the cost of the highest medical education in England.

An important item of expenditure is accommodation: most English universities provide hostels only for first-year students. After that, students will have to decide the issue of living on their own, which can be very costly. So, renting an apartment in London will cost about £900.

You can reduce the cost of higher education in England with the help of scholarships and grants, which can be found on the website of the same admission committee UCAS. Often, there are separate programs for students from Russia and the CIS countries.

5 categories of British universities

When choosing a British university, it is important to know which category it belongs to. All universities in the UK can be divided into 5 categories, depending on when they were founded. Universities in England, created at about the same time, have many common features, although, of course, each university is unique and has its own advantages.

Ancient Universities- created before the beginning of the 17th century, in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

• University of Oxford - founded in 1167
• University of Cambridge - founded in 1209
• University of St Andrews - founded in 1413
• University of Glasgow - founded 1451
• University of Aberdeen - founded in 1495
• University of Edinburgh - founded in 1583

Red Brick Universities- Initially, this group included only 6 “civilian” universities based in large industrial cities of Great Britain, which received the status of universities before the start of World War II. The main difference between these universities and Ancient Universities was their practical rather than academic focus.

• University of Birmingham
• University of Bristol
• University of Leeds
• University of Liverpool
• University of Manchester
• University of Sheffield

Currently, this category includes all universities that are members of the so-called Russel Group, which was a collaboration of 20 universities in the UK (previous 6 and 14 below), which received government grants and state support. The Commonwealth of these universities got its name from the name of the hotel where their first informal meetings took place - the Russel Hotel in Russel Square in London.

Plate Glass Universities — English universities created between 1963 and 1992 (mostly in the 60s). The name of this category reflects their modern architecture at that time, contrasting with the universities of the previous categories - Red Brick and Ancient.

New Universities- former polytechnics of England, which received university status in 1992 in accordance with the Further and Higher Education Act 1992.

Recently Created Universities are former colleges that received university status in 2005.

• Canterbury Christ Church University
• University of Chester
• University of Chichester
• Queen Margaret University
• University of Winchester
• York St John University
• University of Cumbria

In the recent past, young people from Moscow and other cities, as well as the CIS countries, could not imagine that they could enter the universities of England. And today, every hardworking student can realize the dream of studying in the UK. Every year over 1000 students from all over the world come here to get higher education in England.

How are universities in England different from universities in other countries?

british education system has its own characteristics. You will not be able to enter English universities, having only school knowledge, even if you have all the necessary certificates and diplomas. You can become a student only after passing the A-Level or Foundation programs.

For many Russian applicants, the cost of higher education in England is another cause for concern, but if you wish, you can choose a university whose tuition fees are comparable to the rates of educational institutions in Moscow.

Local educational programs allow you to get a diploma in a shorter time. What can you focus on? In particular, the undergraduate program takes 3 years, and the master's - one.

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Features of admission to universities in the UK

If you are planning to study in the UK, you must complete one of the following preparation programs:

A Level . The preparation continues for 2 years. It is intended for graduates of English secondary schools. Training program is compiled depending on the chosen specialization of the university. As a rule, it includes 3-4 disciplines. Exams at the end of the A-Level will be the entrance to the university.

To enter the program, a Russian student must:

• prepare an extract school grades for the last academic year;
• pass the IELTS language test with a score of at least 5.5.

foundation. The program is specially prepared for foreign students who did not finish school in England. Training lasts 1 year, but is conducted according to a more intense schedule. Students study not only disciplines in their specialty, but also actively learn the language. It makes sense to choose the Foundation program of the university where you plan to enter.

For admission to the program, a Russian student must:

• provide a certificate of completion secondary school with positive marks;
• pass the IELTS language test with a score of at least 4.5.

Stages of study in the UK higher education system

Undergraduate - I stage of British higher education. In Russia, this degree was established only in 1993 after joining the so-called Bologna Declaration. The two-tier system (bachelor's + master's) appeared in our country only in 2002, while in England it has existed for several centuries. Basic knowledge (corresponding to the program of the first-second course Russian universities) UK students receive during pre-university training. Due to this, the duration of undergraduate studies is only 3 years.

Master's degree is the second stage of British higher education. This program is called postgraduate. This step in England immediately follows the first higher education. Bachelor's and Master's programs are most often considered by Russian employers as 2 parts of one educational process. In the UK, these programs have a clear separation and are independent and independent. The difference between the master's degree in England and Russian system education is the duration of training - only 1 year. Therefore, very strict requirements are imposed on those students who wish to become participants in this program, because in just one year the applicant must receive a large amount of knowledge.

Postgraduate studies are the last step in the British higher education system. Like a master's degree, PhD in England is an element of postgraduate education. The level of research work and the depth of teaching of this program are comparable to Russian doctoral studies.

Study Abroad with STAR Academy

Education in England is a combination of centuries-old educational traditions and the latest teaching methods, as well as a huge variety of higher education institutions and educational programs. It is very easy to get confused in the proposed variety. That is why we recommend that everyone who is going to enter the universities of England contact specialists who know all the intricacies of studying in this country.

If you want to learn more about higher education in the UK, the cost of studying, or have any other questions, feel free to contact STAR Academy specialists at [[$phone]] or come to our office in Moscow and other Russian cities.

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 finances at their own discretion and receive income, but at the same time, in order to receive public funding, which, by the way, can be from 30 to 90% of their total balance, 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 undergraduate programs for three years, 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. Russian certificate about higher education is enough to enroll in a British university. But sometimes it happens that the existing knowledge and language practice are not enough for successful admission and passing a master's course in England. And it turns out that preparatory programs are necessary to get used to the new system of the educational process, to understand the essence of British education and to adapt existing knowledge to 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 language and the basics of the 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 they are generally for one year, 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 the training, it is necessary to pass written examinations in the field of specialization and submit a dissertation.

The third stage of higher education - Master of Philosophy, PhD. This stage is exclusively 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.