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UK and HK education systems
UK and HK education systems are similar, term start in September, divided into Primary (6years) and Secondary (7years), 13 years in total.
| School type |
HK |
UK |
Primary
School |
Primary one |
Year 1 |
| Primary two |
Year 2 |
| Primary three |
Year 3 |
| Primary four |
Year 4 |
| Primary five |
Year 5 |
| Primary six |
Year 6 |
| Secondary School |
Form one |
Year 7 |
| Form two |
Year 8 |
| Form three |
Year 9 |
| Form four |
Year 10
GCSE/GNVQ |
| Form five |
Year 11
GCSE/GNVQ |
| Form six |
Year 12
AS Level
|
University Foundation
One Year
|
National Diploma
First Year |
| Form seven |
Year 13
A Level
|
National Diploma
Second Year
|
| University |
Year 1
|
Year 1 |
Higher National Diploma
First Year |
Year 2
|
Year 2 |
Higher National Diploma
Second year |
Year 3
|
Year3 |
|
UK Education System Introduction
UK has a variety of approved qualifications, the most well known among HK parents and students is the General Certificate of Secondary Education, abbreviate GCSE (course equivalent to HKCEE), and A-Level (equivalent to HKALE). UK also provides vocational qualifications, for example, HND (Higher National Diploma), GNVQ, NVQ etc. The newly risen International Baccalaureate (IB) course is getting popular within UK. Students can apply universities with the above qualifications.
GCSE and A-Level are the most traditional pathways for students who want to continue their education in the university. With a wide variety of subject choices, students can take arts, science and business subjects, they can also choose to study other subjects, such as psychology, politics and physical education, choices vary according to school. In general, students take 7-10 subjects in GCSE levels; 3-4 subjects in A-Level, and apply universities with this qualification.
 GCSEs
In Scotland, GCSE is known as Standard Grades, students usually take 7-10 subjects, 5 of them are compulsory, English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology; they can also choose to take other subjects, e.g. I.T., History, Economics, Music and Geography, etc. Based on their school, GCSE course may also require them to undertake their own independent projects; this can also accept their whole academic subjects. GCSE grades are from A* (highest) to G (lowest).
International
GCSEs (IGCSEs)
The international version of GCSE, targeted at the international students, subjects are similar to the UK format, more than a hundred places approved this qualification, and Hong Kong international school has also attended this examination in recent years. Subjects can be divided into 5 main types: language, humanities, science, creative learning and vocational subjects; same as GCSE, the grades are from A* to G.
AS and A-Levels (Form 6 and 7)
Compare to GCSE, students have a wider range of choices in what they want to study in AS-level(Form 6) and A-Level(Form 7), most students choose their subjects according to their future study in the university. Other than the subjects in the GCSE, AS and A-level also provide geology, electronics, photography etc. For some A-Level subjects, such as Mathematics and Science, may have requirement on students who want to take them. A-Level takes two years to finish, in their first year students normally take 4-5 subjects, they are require to take public exam in Spring and Summer term in Year 12(Form 6); A-Level students will take 3-4 subjects from AS level, details as followed.
BTEC
National Award, Certificate or Diploma
Compare to A-Level vocational course, subjects choice are business, engineer, social work and nursing etc. After finished can continue their study in Higher National Diploma (HND), Foundation Degrees and some other Degree.
International Baccalaureate（IB）
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an educational programme examined in one of three languages (English, French or Spanish) and is a leading university entrance course. It is taught in 2,075 schools, often in international schools, in 125 countries all around the world (as of 2007). More than half of the schools offering the Diploma Programme are state funded schools. The programme, administered by the International Baccalaureate Organization, is the most widely recognized pre-university educational programme. Students have to obtained 24 marks or more to get the qualifications.
International
Foundation Year
Public and private school both have international foundation courses, connected with some universities, these courses last for one year. Students can achieved the requirements of the connected universities or with a higher qualification and apply for their interested universities.
Higher
National Diploma (HND)
Normally a 2 years full time course, mainly provide vocational courses, such as business, engineer, art etc; equivalent to University Year 1 or 2, after finished course can continue study in Year 2 or 3. (Situation varies in students’ results and individual university requirements.)
Scottish Certificate of Education and Higher Level Certificate
Scotland has its own education system, called the National Qualifications. The whole system is similar to Hong Kong upcoming Three Three Four education system, students will attend the two years Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE) exam after finished Secondary 4(Age 15-16), or attend the mid level exam. Since university in Scotland last for 4 years, therefore after finished Secondary 6’s SCE, students can apply for Scotland University; students can also take a one year Advanced Higher course if they would like to apply for the England University.
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