With traditions of academic excellence dating back hundreds of years and world renowned institutions in every corner, it comes as no surprise that the UK has become one of the top destinations to study. This article will explain key points related to the education system in the UK; however, please note that some practices differ in Scotland.
National Curriculum: Key stages
The National Curriculum was established in 1988, provides a framework for education in England and Wales for students between the ages of 5 and 18. While the National Curriculum is followed by most state schools, some private schools and academies design their own curricula.
| Key Stage | School Year | Age | ||
| Primary Education | 1 | 1 | 5-6 | Primary education begins at age 5 and continues until age 11. At the end of Key Stage 1 (year 2) and Key Stage 2 (year 6), pupils take compulsory SATs (Standard Assessment Tests). |
| 2 | 6-7 | |||
| 2 | 3 | 7-8 | ||
| 4 | 8-9 | |||
| 5 | 9-10 | |||
| 6 | 10-11 | |||
| Secondary Education | 3 | 7 | 11-12 | During Year 9, students choose which subjects to study at Key Stage 4. These will be the subjects they take for their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams at the end of year 11. |
| 8 | 12-13 | |||
| 9 | 13-14 | |||
| 4 | 10 | 14-15 | ||
| 11 | 15-16 | |||
| Further Education | 12 | 16-17 | At the end of students’ secondary education, they can either pursue academic qualifications such as A-Levels or IB in order to go to university, or vocational qualifications such as NVQs and BTECs to prepare them for full time employment. | |
| 13 | 17-18 | |||
| Higher Education | University | 17+ | To find out more details about applying to universities in the UK, please visit University Application. | |
Compulsory school age in the UK (CSA)
In England, the compulsory education age has been extended to 18. Students must stay in full-time education, start an apprenticeship or traineeship, or start a part-time education/training course with 20 hours a week working or volunteering.
School terms and school holidays
A typical school year starts in September/October and ends in June/July. It consists of three terms: Autumn Term (September to December), Spring Term (January to April) and Summer Term (April to July). As well as having a week long holiday in the middle of each term (half term holiday), students also have longer breaks between terms: winter holidays (2-3 weeks), Easter holidays (2-3 weeks) and summer holidays (around 6 weeks).
State schools VS public schools
State schools are government-funded and provide free education to pupils in the UK. There are various types of state schools, such as local authority controlled maintained schools, academies with their own curriculum, selective grammar schools and religion focused faith schools.
Tier 4 Student Visa holders are not entitled to free education in the UK, their choice of schools in the UK is limited to public schools (also known as fee-paying independent schools). Many people confuse public schools with state schools due to their name, but they are in fact in the private sector, where pupils do not have to follow the National Curriculum.
UK private schools have a long history of academic excellence. Eton College and Harrow College are prime examples of UK’s high class educational institutions. However, with around 2,500 private schools throughout the UK, finding the perfect school can be a daunting task. To find out more about how to choose a private school and their admission processes, please visit School Placement.
UKG’s experienced team has successfully helped many students gain admission into reputable private schools all around the UK, allowing students to flourish and reach their potential. We have contacts in many schools around the UK and can help to speed up and track your application. Please contact us for more details.
Parents’ involvement in their children’s UK education
In England, parents are expected to be involved in every stage of the education of their children. Schools regularly send information letters and newsletters to parents, concerning school activities, such as school concerts, parents’ evenings, school visits and guest speakers. Parents are encouraged to take full participation in these activities.
As many international students are not accompanied by their parents during their study time in the UK, the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and most UK schools require that students whose families live overseas have a legal guardian living in the UK to act on their behalf during term time and when the school is closed. It is therefore vital to find a responsible guardian to support children every step of the way.
UKG has full AEGIS Accreditation and our team has many years of experience in educational guardianship in the UK, providing a 24/7 service that offers a high level of support to students, parents and schools. Our dedicated guardians will act on behalf of parents with problems in the school and attend parents’ evenings and meetings to discuss students’ academic progress with their teachers. Please contact us if you would like more information about our student guardianship services.
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Hi
If we are going over to UK in settlement visas my husband is British we are South African. Can our children go to state schools at no cost? Apparently it’s free? I’m not sure ?
Your help would be really appreciated
Hi Candice,
State schools in the UK are free but it’s best to check with your local authority if you are eligible for a place. If you already know where you will be living, you can search online for your local authority.
Hi,
This is Chen Chi Huang from Taiwan. I am planning to take my 5-year old daughter this summer to attend private primary schools in London. As my daughter just begins learning English, I am wondering if you can recommend some private schools which accept kids who are in the initial stage of English learning? By the way, I would not consider those summer camps for international students. Best regards. Chen Chi Huang.
Hi Chen Chi,
I have passed your email address to my colleague and she is going to send you some information.
Kind regards,
Sara
Hi,
My husband and I are danish, and have lived in UK for 6 years. An American relative, aged 16, wants to come live with us and study first year of sixth form in UK. Do you think she can get a place at a local state school for free- she can’t afford any fees? We don’t have children at schools here ourselves.
Hi,
We believe that unfortunately she would not be eligible for state funded education. However, it is best to check with your local council as they will be able to provide you with more information.
We hope it all works out!
Hi,
If I`m in UK on Tier 4 study visa and my dependents are with me. Will my children be able to get a place in State schools?
Hello. We believe that they are able to go to state schools in the UK. If you are already in the UK, it is best to check with your local council and they will be able to provide you with more information.
Hi,
I am from India here on work visa. I am planning to bring my wife and daughter to stay here with me. My daughter is 6 years old. Will she be admitted in State school or Public school.
Hello. We believe that your daughter will be able to go to a state school in the UK. It is a good idea to check with your local council to find out their requirements and procedure. She will also be able to attend an independent school. If you need help with your independent school search, please contact us.
Hi Basha
Please can you let me know if you were able to get you daughter join a public school ?
Hi. I intend to come to UK on a startup visa from pakistan. I have 2 kids aged 9 and 12. Immigration consultant in Pakistan has told us that education is free in UK for kids upto 18. Kindly apprise me is that the case, and if not then which schools are free and which require fees? Thanks
Hello. We believe that your children are able to go to state schools in the UK (in your catchment area) as they are going to be staying with you. It is best to check with your local council and they will be able to provide you with more information.
Hi. I am from Hong Kong who holds the British citizen passport. I will apply the child visa for my two kids, in this case, will my sons eligible to study in the state school? Is it free education? Or they can only go straight to private school for study?
Hello. Thank you for your comment. If you are applying for a dependent visa for your children, they will be able to study in state schools and receive free education. If you would like to apply for Tier 4 visas for them, you will have to enrol them in a private school first.
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Hi , i am from South Africa,I have a British Passport, we coming over next year in May, my son is on a dependant visa, he turns 18 in July, where would he fit into the schooling scenario as in South Africa he would still need to do one more year before he would have completed his schooling i.e equivalent to your Year 13
Hello, thanks for your comment. It is very hard to join a school in year 13 so we would suggest applying to a tutorial college or a university foundation programme. However, this is just based on the information provided, without seeing the school reports/certificates. If you would like further help, please contact us at service@ukguardianship.com.
Greetings!Thanks in advance..If I come on a Tier 4 study visa to do a 1 yr MBA and 2 yr post study work visa and bring along my dependant wife and 4 yr old daughter..Can my daughter attend state school for free and can my wife work?
We believe the answer to both of your questions is yes but please check with your local Visa office or immigration advisor in your county.
hello sir,my baby was born in uk. but now we r india.my baby’s name was already registred in council school,gravesend.these days we got letter from that school.so please tell me can we apply again with that letter from india?
Hello. I’m afraid I am unable to help you without knowing more information. The best solution would be to either contact the school directly or the local council and they will be able to give you a definite answer.
Good day, I am a nigerian and plan on coming to the UK January 2020 with a tier 4 visa, I intend coming with my two kids (4yrs and 3years) on a dependent visa, I need to know if they will be able to attend the state school for free?
Hello. Thank you for your comment. If you are applying for a dependent visa for your children, we believe that they will be able to study in state schools and receive free education. It is a good idea to contact the local council for the area you will be living in the UK to ask them for the process of enrolling your children.
Hi, I’m from Italy and I’m 17, in September 2020 I’m coming over in UK and I would like to study there. Would it be possible to attend your 13th year? How can I find a legal guardian?
Hi, thanks for your message. It is not very common for schools to allow students to join in year 13, you may need to join in year 12 and complete 2 years of A-level studies. We would be happy to help you find a suitable school and we can also act as your guardian while you are in the UK. Please send an email to service@ukguardianship.com with your school preferences and we will be happy to help!
Hi we are looking to move from America to the uk most likely, thinking about oxford !
I have 2 children that would be in key stage 2 in primary school – would we be eligible for free schooling?
Hi, thanks for your comment. It depends which visa you are coming to the UK with. Feel free to email us at service@ukguardianship.com with more information and we can provide you with advice.
Hello
My name is Remya from India. Am coming to uk on January 2020 through student visa. I would like to take my children with me who are going to be in 10th and 7th grade next year. I would like to know whether they are eligible for state education or how much it will cost for their education.
Hello
.am from India. Am coming to uk on January 2020 through student visa. I would like to take my children with me who are going to be in 10th and 7th grade next year. I would like to know whether they are eligible for state education or how much it will cost for their education.
Hello Remya. I believe you have already spoken to us regarding this. If you are applying for a dependent visa for your children, we believe that they will be able to study in state schools and receive free education. It is a good idea to contact the local council for the area you will be living in the UK to ask them for the process of enrolling your children.
Hey i am actually an egyptian student but will be travelling to uk in 6 months to complete my education but i am kinda lost cause of course the systems of education here and there are different and i don’t know if i will be able to change systems that easy and complete education and university there will my degree be valid here in egypt or just uk can you help
Hi Menna. I believe you have already spoken to my colleague who advised you to contact us at service@ukguardianship.com. Our UK Education Specialist will then be able to offer you more advice.
I am from India and planning for Master courses in September 2020 in UK along with my dependent 9yr old son.please guide me for my son’s education.Is it possible for him to get an admission in State funded school?
Thank you for your comment. We believe that your son will be able to study in state schools and receive free education. It is a good idea to contact the local council for the area you will be living in the UK to ask them for the process of enrolling your son.
Hi, I am Sandra from Timor-Leste. I am coming to UK on January with Diplomatic Visa. I would like to take my children with me who are going to be in 1st grade (7 yo) and 7th grade (12 yo) next year. I would like to know whether they are eligible to enroll in state-funded school or independent school? how much does it cost?
Hi Sandra. Thank you for contacting us. My colleague has replied to your email.