What types of schools are there in the UK?   

There are state and independent or private schools. International students can only study at independent schools and they divide into boarding and day school. Independent schools offer a choice of coeducation or single-sex education where boys and girls study separately. In regard to pupils’ age, schools are generally split into pre-preparatory (2-7 years), preparatory or junior (7-11 or 13), senior (11-18), and six form (16+).   

How can I best search for a school in the UK?

There are many search engines, we recommend to use www.educationuk.org; www.isc.co.uk, www.schoolsearch.co.uk. Schools’ websites and prospectuses give very detailed information about programs and activities they offer to pupils, school’s facilities etc.   

How are independent schools accredited and inspected in the UK?   

Independent Schools Council www.isc.co.uk accredits independent schools in the UK. It assesses standards, general aspects of the school and the quality of teaching every four years, reports are published on www.isi.net. As membership of ISC is voluntary, independent schools not affiliated to ISC are called non-association schools. They are inspected by the Office of Standards in Education www.ofsted.gov.uk.   

What internationally recognized qualifications are offered by UK independent schools?   

Students who come to the UK for education up to the age of 18 have an excellent chance of gaining admission to a degree course in the UK or elsewhere. Qualifications that provide such entry are GCSE and A-levels.

GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education, is a 2-year course taken by 14 to 16-year olds in a wide range of academic and “applied” (work-related) subjects. A-levels is a 2-year course taken by 16 to 18-year olds in four subjects, and usually is the main route to higher education.

Independent schools in Scotland have slightly different but interchangeable qualifications – Standard Grade and Highers.

At what age is it best to start studying at a UK independent school for an international student?   

Most pupils enter independent boarding schools at the age of 7, 11, 13 or 16. To gain admission at 11 or 13, some pupils sit an examination called the Common Entrance Examination. At 16, pupils enter the school to study in its sixth form (for A-levels and equivalent qualifications).

Many schools are very flexible and will consider admitting international students outside their normal entry points. Pupils are usually asked to sit an entrance examination in mathematics and the English language.