[Crysania]

Could someone explain the education system out there? It's too confusing even on the web.

What's the difference between A levels O levels degree level technical level etc.? Is that all of them?

I would appreciate a quick run-down of info.

Thanks!

[fluffy bunny]

Lol- i don't understand the American system so it works both ways i guess. I'll give it a stab.

OK, we start school at 4 (well there is pre-school but I don't think ur interested in that).
Then we go through primary school until 11-12 years old.
Then 12-16 or so we go through secondary school. At 16 we do GCSEs {general certificate of education} (used to be called O-levels {ordinary levels} until a long time ago).

We can leave school at 16 or go on to further education.

Most traditional way of progressing is A-Levels during 17-18 yrs old then onto university depending on results.

To encourage young people to continue into further education/ stuff more useful than just GCSEs, there are a lot of alternatives to A-Levels. NVQs {national vocational qualifications} aren't as theory based as A-Levels and are a sort of half appresnticeship.

Degree level= university level- ie further education after 18 (well it depends on the defree really)

Not heard of rechnical level- but if i had to guess, I'd say it sounds like an apprenticeship/ degree where you're taught exactly what u need for one particular job.

[hclark]

Thanks so much for this question and for the answer. I've definitely been wondering about British education as well.

The US system can be confusing, especially since some schools do it differently than others. Here is how it is around my area (Iowa):

We have preschool for kids usually age 3-4

Elementary School (primary school) starts with kids about age 5. They usually go to Kindergarten at that age then progress each year through a grade - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

They progress on to Middle School - grades 6, 7, 8 and finish with High School, grades 9, 10, 11 and 12.

During the last few years of high school they may either take college preparatory classes, or go into a work study program to be trained in a specific career (like an auto mechanic).

If a student wants to continue to a college or university, they usually take the SAT or ACT standardized tests during their 11 or 12th grade year. Which test you take depends on which school you want to go to. Its seems schools on the coasts tend to favor the SAT.

It seems the UK system would graduate students sooner. In the US, most don't leave High School until 17 or 18. Then they progress to higher educations and degrees. Plus kids don't start school until age 5.

Hope that helps.

[This message has been edited by hclark (edited March 11, 2002).]

[Crysania]

THANK YOU!!!!!!

http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Sammie]

"It seems the UK system would graduate students sooner. In the US, most don't leave High School until 17 or 18. "

In a sense, yes, because English kids can leave school at 16, if they wish. But the only way to get to university (with v rare exceptions) is to do A-levels, which means staying in school til ur 18. Many areas of britain now house the local "6th form colleges" (ie. the 2 years of A-level studying) on seperate sites, making us feel like we've left school, but kids going through the private school system usually stay at the same place they did their GCSEs to do A-levels (inc. having to wear school uniform right up til they're 18, hehe!). This used to be the case everywhere, hence the term '6th form' - it follows forms 1 to 5 (or years 1 to 5, or grades 1 to 5 or whatever you want to call it) of secondary school).

Have probably confused you all again now....sorry!

[Lawson]

Sixth Form! W00t!

[James Barclay]

I've never understood why we moved from the brilliant Victorian system where disadvantaged children were sent down t'pit or up t'chimney at four years old and then thrashed within an inch of their lives every night for good measure. Sensible policies for a fairer Britain.

[estranghero]

What's a brit? Sounds like a pair of pants... http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

(And yes, I do know. Forestalling anyone who would try to answer my obviously-rhetorical question...)

[fluffy bunny]

estranghero u must wear really weird and wacky pants

[estranghero]

Only when I really have to... http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif