Overview [ see chart ]

The United Kingdom is made up of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland

The education system is similar to Hong Kong that all students must attend schools from Year 1 (Primary One) to Year 11 (Form Five). At the age of fourteen to fifteen, most students will start the two-years GCSE course (Form Four to Form Five). Most students who have successfully attained five or more GCSE subjects at the end of Year 11 will commence Sixth Form (A-Level) in the following academic year.

In September 2000, the former two-years A-Level course was re-structured. Students are required to take 4-5 AS (Advanced Subsidiary) subjects in the Lower-sixth year and continue 3-4 of the same subjects at A-Level standard in the Upper-sixth year. At the end of each academic year, sixth-formers will take examinations for their chosen subjects. The examination results from the AS subjects will be submitted with applications to Universities and the final A-Level results will confirm the offer of places from universities.

Academic year

There are three terms in an academic year, which are:

1. Autumn Term from September to December
2. Spring Term from January to March
3. Summer Term from April to July.

The normal intake is in September, but some schools may consider late entries in January and April.

Types of boarding schools

1. Boarding schools in the UK are generally divided into two types:
2. Independent/ Private schools
3. State Maintained Schools

Boarding schools in the UK can also be divided into Junior School, Preparatory school and Senior School.

1. Junior School
2. Junior to Preparatory School
3. Junior to GCSE School
4. Junior to Senior School
5. Preparatory to Senior School
6. Senior School (Sixth form only)

Curriculum

GCSE - Most students will take between 8 to 10 subjects in the two years of GCSE studies. Unlike in Hong Kong, students do not need to take a Science or Arts stream. They can study subjects from a wide range such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English Literature, English Language, Geography, History, French, Latin, Bible Studies, Arts, Music, Chinese¡K¡Ketc.

A-Level (Sixth-Form) - In September 2000, the former two-years A-Level course was re-structured. Students are required to take 4-5 AS (Advanced Subsidiary) subjects in the Lower-sixth year and continue 3-4 of the same subjects at A-Level standard in the Upper-sixth year. At the end of each academic year, sixth-formers will take examinations for their chosen subjects. The examination results from the AS subjects will be submitted with applications to Universities and the final A-Level results will confirm the offer of places from universities.
Again, like in doing the GCSE, students are not required to take a Science or Arts stream. However, they should study the subjects which they have obtained good grades at GCSE.