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It defines four 'key stages', and ten statutory subjects:
There are three 'core' subjects, which are:
There are seven other 'foundation' subjects which are:
1.2 School Education Examinations 1.2.1 Below the age of 16General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)The exam emphasises coursework, examination and application of knowledge. Differing abilities are taken into account, e.g. all students do not study the same class-work and answer the same examination questions. In the final exam there is a choice of papers and questions to suit students' abilities. School-based assessment of course work, by teachers, can form a significant percentage of the final result. The standards expected in GCSE are at least as high as those in O-level. Grades are awarded on a single seven-point scale: A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Candidates who fail to reach the standard required for grade G will be ungraded and receive no certificate.
International GCSE (IGCSE)
The International GCSE was developed by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) as an international version of the GCSE. All syllabuses are designed to meet international needs while being based on the GCSE national criteria. The IGCSE is a two-year curriculum programme with a choice of core and extended level curricula. The examination has a seven-point grade scale, A to G. Grade A indicates the highest level of achievement and Grade G minimum satisfactory performance. The examination is taken at sixteen years of age. IGCSE syllabuses cover six subject groups, Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences, Sciences, Mathematics, Creative Arts and Technology, and Natural Economy. Candidates who pass in seven or more IGCSE subjects specifically selected from the six areas qualify for the International Certificate of Education (ICE).
GCE O-level In the UK the GCE O-level examination is no longer available to students. However, overseas students outside the UK are still able to study for this qualification through two examining boards: UCLES and the University of London Examinations and Assessment Council (ULEAC). The GCE O-level will continue to be recognized as an educational qualification by universities and colleges. 1.2.2 Above the age of 16A-level (Advanced)A-level examinations are normally taken following the GCSE and after two years of study, usually in the sixth-form of secondary schools, sixth-form tertiary colleges or in colleges of further education.
Traditionally students followed courses in two or three related subjects, for example the Sciences or the Humanities. There are five official pass grades, A to E, and a candidate not achieving the required standard may obtain an `N' (narrow failure or near miss) grade. Recently a 'super-A grade' has been introduced to recognise the very brightest candidates. AS-level (Advanced)A-level examinations are normally taken following the GCSE and after two years of study, usually in the sixth-form of secondary schools, sixth-form tertiary colleges or in colleges of further education. A- and AS-levels are set by the seven GCE Examining Groups and Boards. In Northern Ireland A-level exams are set by CCEA.
Traditionally students followed courses in two or three related subjects, for example the Sciences or the Humanities. However with the introduction of less conventional higher education courses, less traditional combinations of A-levels are now more common. There are five official pass grades, A to E, and a candidate not achieving the required standard may obtain an `N' (narrow failure or near miss) grade. Recently a 'super-A grade' has been introduced to recognise the very brightest candidates. AS-levels (Advanced Supplementary)AS-level courses were introduced in 1987 with the first exams taken in 1989. Their purpose was to broaden sixth-form studies beyond the traditional clusters of science or arts subjects. Like A-level, they are graded A to E, with grade standards related to the corresponding A-level grade (super-A grade is not offered at AS-level). The syllabuses take account of the shorter teaching and study time available so that while the quantity of work is less, the quality is the same as that required for the equivalent A-level grade. Two AS-levels can therefore be regarded as the equivalent of one A-level and are generally accepted in place of one A-level for university entrance.
Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP)STEP was introduced in 1987 as an admissions examination for entry to the majority of colleges in the University of Cambridge. Grades are awarded on a four-point scale: Grade S indicates outstanding performance, Grade 1 (very good), Grade 2 (good) and Grade 3 (satisfactory). Unsuccessful candidates will be graded U (unclassified).
General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs)In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, GNVQs offer students over the age of sixteen with a new alternative to traditional GCE A-levels and GCSEs. GNVQs provide a broad base of vocationally relevant knowledge and skills in preparation either for entry into work or for progression into higher education. There are three levels:
Subjects currently available include Art and Design, Business, Health and Social Care, Leisure and Tourism, Manufacturing, Construction and the Built Environment, Hospitality and Catering, and Science.
International BaccalaureatteThe IB is a two-year course for students normally aged between sixteen and nineteen. It is similar to the GCE A-level in that it is usually taken at the end of two years' study at about eighteen years of age. The IB provides a broad curriculum which is recognised for entry to higher education in many countries, including the UK.
The Diploma is awarded after satisfactory performance in six subject groups: English (or the pupil's first language), which includes the study of world literature; a foreign language; the study of man in society, e.g. history, geography or economics; an experimental science; mathematics; an art, e.g. art, music, Latin, classical Greek or a second subject from one of the above groups. Three of these subjects must be offered at the Higher level, roughly the standard of A-levels, and three at Subsidiary level. At both Higher and Subsidiary level, each subject is graded on a scale from 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum) with 4 representing satisfactory performance. In addition students must follow a course in the theory of knowledge; submit an extended essay in one of the subjects of the IB curriculum; and engage in extracurricular activities known as Creativity, Action and Service (CAS). The award of the Diploma requires a minimum total of twenty-four points, satisfactory completion of the theory of knowledge course, the extended essay and CAS. In the UK students should attain a minimum of twenty four-points to satisfy university matriculation requirements.
Access and foundation courses, and degree foundation courses
Colleges of further education are increasingly offering access to higher education courses and degree foundation courses. These courses provide an alternative route into higher education. These may be for international students or students in specialist disciplines, where courses will prepare the students for further study. Some courses are designed specifically for international students. These are often referred to as bridging courses because they bridge the gap between overseas qualifications and the entry requirements for higher education courses in the UK. Bridging courses usually take one or two years and may be run in conjunction with a local higher education institution.
You can get a bachelor degree after 3 years of study at university if you are studying social sciences, arts or humanities (what we call in Vietnamese "khoa hoc xa hoi va nhan van", such as economics, business management, history, ...) or science (khoa hoc tu nhien), such as maths, chemistry, physics,.... In the latter case, you can opt to apply for a 4-year course to get a Masters degree instead of stopping after 3 years to get a Bachelor degree. This may be longer if you want to study medicine. As we can see, undergraduate courses in the UK (like in Australia) can be 1 year shorter than the same courses in the USA (thus can save us a good sum of money!)
Post-graduate courses vary in length, but the most common ones last between 1 and 2 years in the case of MA, MSc., MPhil. and MBA degrees. Mphil degrees are more research-oriented whereas the others are coursework-intensive. Most of MPhil courses require 2 years and another 1 year if you want (and are eligible) to get a Phd. or DPhil degree. Quite a number of American students come to the UK to study due to the signifcantly shorter courses here, particularly MBA courses. HOME
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