Understanding Education in the UK: What Are the Options for You?

In the UK, the education system is split up into four main areas: Primary education, Secondary education, Further education and Higher Education. Education is compulsory until the age of 18, which can include full-time study, full-time work or volunteering with part-time education or apprenticeships. There are currently 30 Polytechnics in the UK, 162 Higher Education institutes and 218 Colleges. To help you understand how the education system in the UK works, take a look at some of the most common questions about education to determine what training is the best for you.

Colleges and Polytechnics in the UK offer thousands of courses across many different levels. These include National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ), foundation courses, A-Levels, Undergraduate courses and some Postgraduate courses. These courses range in difficulty, duration and learning outcomes, depending on the level of course it is.

NVQ stands for National Vocational Qualification. In the UK, NVQ courses are usually seen in level 3-5 courses, however, some institutes have level 6-7 courses.

NVQ courses. Vocational courses are used to show an understanding of a certain subject or area, and are used to demonstrate skills needed for careers in areas such as assessing, administration, business, IT, child care and more. Depending on the level of course, NVQs can take between 1-2 years, with some requiring longer. Examples of NVQ courses include:

A foundation course, which is also known as a Foundation year or degree, is a course offered by some Universities and Colleges in the UK. Foundation courses prepare students for more advanced study, usually at an Undergraduate level such as a Bachelor Degree. Most Foundation years go for one year and is a great pathway to University study. Some of the most popular Foundation courses are in subjects such as:

In the UK, as well as in most parts of the world, the highest level of education obtainable in the Doctoral Degree or PhD. In the UK, this is considered a ‘Level 8’ course, which is the highest in the UK Education Framework. Doctoral Degrees usually take 2-3 years to complete and require previous qualifications and experience to enrol. It’s important to know what level courses in the UK are equivalent to, or which hold the most value.

The different levels of courses in the Uk include:

The Tax Credit Office determines whether to continue tax credit payments based on whether a child over 16 is continuing study in advanced or non-advanced education. These standards are decided by the Child Tax Credit Regulations.

Advanced education in the UK includes courses such as:

Non-advanced education in the UK includes courses such as:

There are many things you can do with a Diploma of Higher Education, even if you don’t complete your degree. A DipHE can qualify you for plenty of jobs, especially in areas like business. A Diploma of Higher Education is the equivalent to a NVQ Level 4 course, like a Diploma of Management, which means that the opportunities for a career is the same for anyone who underwent the same level vocational course in the UK.

A Certificate in Education is the equivalent of a Level 4 course. Other level 4 courses are typically undertaken at a UK College, Career College or specialty institute. A Level 4 course in the UK is considered vocational training, however, a Certificate of Higher Education is awarded while a student is at University and chooses not to complete their degree after one year.

In the UK, full-time education is considered a workload with an average of 12 hours of supervised or ‘contact’ hours per week. This can include lectures, classes and any other work or course-related task. It does not include self-directed learning, study or homework. It also doesn’t include the time between classes or breaks. A full-time education workload is seen in most A levels, National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) and other qualifications up to level 3.

UK colleges offer students thousands of courses across many subject areas. The number of courses or subjects you can take in College depends on your workload whether you’re full or part-time– as well as the type of course you choose at College: Foundation course, Undergraduate course or Postgraduate. It’s recommended to only take one of these courses at a time, however some Undergraduate Bachelor Degrees offer a double degree.

On the job training usually consists of training that occurs in the workplace. Some organisations choose to put their employees through training programs or workshops, while a common form of on-the-job training is carried out by trainees or apprentices in their jobs. On the job training in the UK is a great way to develop skills while earning an income, and is vital to a lot of trade areas such as: