Explanation needed

[FojeJC]

I've been in the UK for two years now and I still don't understand how the English education works. I'm in year 10 now and going to be in year 11 after summer.
Is there a year 12 here?
What happens after year 11?
What's sixth form?
Do I need to go to college if I go to sixth form?
What's the advanced highers?
How long is sixth form or how long until I get to a university?

[Gandalf]

Ok. Currently, since your in year 10 now you will be doing GCSE's; these are the most basic qualifications you are expected to leave year 11 with.

These serve two functions: Show basic competency in Maths and English and usually science, (and any other subject you are being examined in) these are generally required for the most basic jobs and entry into sixth form or college will be dependant on the number you achieve and the grade.

After year 11 you have three options:

1) Stay at school for sixth form. Each extra year is optional. Each year will gain you half an A-level in each subject you and by the end of the second year you will have full A-levels

2) Instead of sixth form, some people goto a college (This term is used differently in the UK) This is simply another mehod of acheiving A-levels (often the grades required for entry are lower, and often do not lead to university (although it is possible)

3) After year 11 you can leave education at any point.

College and sixth forms offer a range of courses (usually A-levels during ages 16-18. These are currently not mandatory, but are required for university.


Then of course there is the large array of degrees that universities offer
I hope I've helped, if you need anything clarifying please ask :)

[FojeJC]

Excellent info, thanks for clearing that up for me.
1rep+

[Kaius]

After year 11 you have three options:

1) Stay at school for sixth form. Each extra year is optional. Each year will gain you half an A-level in each subject you and by the end of the second year you will have full A-levels

2) Instead of sixth form, some people goto a college (This term is used differently in the UK) This is simply another mehod of acheiving A-levels (often the grades required for entry are lower, and often do not lead to university (although it is possible)

As right as you are about most things here I thought some things should be added. Not all schools have sixth forms. You can apply to other schools sixth forms or to colleges if your school doesn't have one.

And colleges are no different in terms of leading to university, whether you go to a sixth form or college you have the same chance of getting to university if you select the correct A-Level subjects they want for your course and you get the right grades.

[plebble]

I'm currently in Year 11, I'm doing sixth form soon

Is there a year 12 here? Some schools, yes, but not all schools
What happens after year 11? Year 12/13 (sixth form), college, or work
What's sixth form? It's a college for continuing subjects and getting higher level qualifications such as A-Levels
Do I need to go to college if I go to sixth form? No, sixth form is a higher level than college
What's the advanced highers? Never heard of it
How long is sixth form or how long until I get to a university? You do Year 12, then if your grades are good enough you do Year 13, then when you're done with that you can choose to do a job, apprenticeship, extra studies in college or university. You can go to university at any age, not just as soon as you're done with school.

[Lights]

As right as you are about most things here I thought some things should be added. Not all schools have sixth forms. You can apply to other schools sixth forms or to colleges if your school doesn't have one.

And colleges are no different in terms of leading to university, whether you go to a sixth form or college you have the same chance of getting to university if you select the correct A-Level subjects they want for your course and you get the right grades.

Yes, in fact, where I live only two colleges out of twelve are schools as well as sixth forms; and one of those sixth forms is very small. Everyone in my year group is leaving this year as my school does not have a sixth form.

Also, getting into university courses can also relate to UCAS points which you get from your performance in your A Levels as well as extra curricular things like the Extended Project. UCAS points, from the best of my knowledge, are a kind of backup if you don't quite reach the grades requested to get into your preferred course. Sometimes you might not have achieved the grades, but you have achieved enough UCAS points, so you'll still get in.

[Jmihas]

You leave when your in 16 and year 1 starts when your like 8 so get that on, I guess.