iGCSE or Pre A-Level – which is better for me?

UK Guardianship

If you are thinking about taking A-Levels in the UK, you may be considering either iGCSEs or a Pre A-Level course in preparation. But what are the differences between the two and which would be better for you to take? We’ve done some research on both to help you make your decision.   What are iGCSEs? GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) are academic qualifications taken by most students in the UK at age 16. The iGCSEs are an international alternative to GCSEs and are recognised by most countries. They are highly exam based and graded on an 8-point scale…

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Ask Susan: Is ranking important when choosing a UK boarding school?

UKG students

When searching for a good boarding school in the UK, it might be the intention of most people to judge a school by its school ranking on League Tables. But which factors are school rankings based on? And how important are they when choosing a UK boarding school?   Which factors are school rankings in the UK based on? Most secondary school rankings are based on A-level or GCSE results and/or the number of students that get into a highly ranked university afterwards.   What are the advantages of school rankings? Rankings seem like a good starting point if you…

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Ask Susan: How to prepare for UK school applications

UK Guardianship

Welcome to our new ‘Ask Susan’ blog section! UKG director, Susan Fang, is an expert in UK education and guardianship and each month she will be answering important questions. A product of UK education herself, having studied at North London Collegiate School, the number one girl’s school in the country, and then onto the University of Cambridge. This month Susan will be giving advice on how to prepare for UK school applications. If there are any questions you would like Susan to answer, please comment below or write to us at marketing@ukguardianship.com.   How would you describe the British education…

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How to apply to private day and boarding schools in the UK

uk school application

UK’s education has a strong reputation and a globally-recognised curriculum. Private schools (also known as independent schools) in particular have a long history of academic excellence. Therefore, it is no surprise that the process of finding and getting accepted into a top UK school can be complex and time-consuming. This article will give parents a better understanding of what is involved when applying to private schools in the UK.   How many schools can I apply to? You can apply to as many schools as you wish; however, you will need to make a separate application to each school. Most…

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UK Education System – State and Public Schools

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…

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A levels or IB – which is better for me?

In the UK, the traditional route into higher education after GCSEs is to study A Levels for two years. However, there are an increasing number of schools (mainly public schools) that have started offering IB (International Baccalaureate) courses to prospective students. While IB is gaining a wider recognition by many universities, some UK schools offer both options to students, some however solely offer one or the other. As this is a crucial factor in deciding which school to attend, it is important to understand what each qualification entails. This article will draw on a comparison between A Levels and IB and…

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UK School Placement – How to choose and apply to UK schools

At present there are around 2,500 independent and private schools in the UK. With this huge number, it can be a very daunting task choosing the perfect school for you or your child. Below are a few important points to consider before making your choice:   Should I choose a single sex or co-ed school? The first question you need to ask yourself is whether you would prefer a single sex school (just boys or girls) or a co-ed school (boys and girls together). There are many advantages and disadvantages of both, for example many people believe that students concentrate…

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