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The UK education system guarantees to provide overseas students with internationally recognized qualifications covering all levels and a wide range of subject areas. This page is intended to serve as an introduction to the British qualifications and give an indication of the range available in further and higher education.
It is important not to rush into this decision, as it may be difficult to change courses once you are in Britain. Doing so will affect your academic progress, and may mean that you will lose money paid in fees.
The most popular qualifications offered by British institutions, from GCSEs to postgraduate degrees, are listed below.
GCSE, SCE, AS and A-levels
O-levels taken outside Britain are still recognised by British institutions, but in the UK this qualification has been replaced by the General Certificate in Secondary Education (GCSE).
GCSE courses usually last for two years.
You will normally be expected to have a GCSE (or equivalent qualification) in the subject(s) you wish to study at A-level. Most A-level courses are for two years.
The Advanced Supplementary (AS) level exam is often taken by students from abroad as a way of meeting entry requirements for degree courses at British institutions. Two AS-levels are equivalent to one A level for degree course entry.
Scottish schools and colleges offer the Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE), where Standard grade is equivalent to the GCSE and the Higher grade examinations are taken after one year of additional study.
Access or bridging courses
Access courses are offered as an alternative route into higher education or vocational training.
Some are designed especially for international students, often referred to as 'bridging' courses because they bridge the gap between overseas qualifications and the entry requirements for British courses.
They often involve some English language classes and usually take one year.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Some students come to Britain to study for the International Baccalaureate diploma instead of A-levels.
The IB qualification is widely accepted by education institutions in Britain, and throughout the world.
More information is available from:
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IB Office Peterson House Fortran Road Cardiff CF3 OLT Wales United Kingdom |
City and Guilds
City and Guilds is an assessment and certification body which operates across a broad range of work-related qualifications, including subjects as diverse as vehicle servicing and repair, catering and hospitality, information technology, health and social care, communication skills and numeracy.
City and Guilds does not stipulate entry qualifications but most colleges would expect students to hold passes in two or three appropriate GCSE subjects.
RSA examinations
It is possible to study for RSA examinations in a range of vocational subjects, although they may not always be available through full-time study.
You can obtain more information about RSA qualifications from:
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RSA Examinations Board Westwood Way Coventry CV4 8HS United Kingdom |
Edexcel (formerly BTEC)
Many students study for an Edexcel qualification instead of GCSE and A-levels.
They award qualifications in subjects like Computer Studies, Business and Finance, Engineering, Catering and Travel and Tourism.
The programmes combine theory and practice, giving students practical experience and not just writing about the subject.
Edexcel offer both certificate and diploma courses as well as GNVQs. Full-time certificate and diplomas are offered at two levels: National and Higher National. More information is available from:
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Edexcel Central House Upper Woburn Place London WC1H OHH United Kingdom |
Good results in an appropriate National Diploma are accepted by most institutions of higher education.
SQA (formerly SCOTVEC)
The Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) is the equivalent national body in Scotland, offering courses in similar subjects to Edexcel.
More information is available from:
| SQA Hanover House 24 Douglas Street Glasgow G2 7NQ Scotland United Kingdom |
GNVQs and SVQs
The British government has improved and reformed vocational qualifications in Britain.
Employers have identified skills needed for different jobs which have resulted in NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications).
NVQs are awarded at five levels.
GNVQs are a broader base of skills and knowledge that can be compared to academic qualifications.
GNVQs are available at three levels: foundation, intermediate and advanced.
Information on GNVQs is available from:
| QCA (The Qualifications & Curriculum Authority) Newcombe House 45 Notting Hill Gate London W11 3JB United Kingdom |
Information about GSVQ is available from SQA.
Professional qualifications
Many private institutions and instititutions of further and higher education (and some others) offer courses leading to professional qualifications in, for example, law, accountancy, secretarial studies and banking.
Before applying for this type of course, make sure that the qualification is recognised and accepted by prospective employers in your country, or by the institution at which you wish to continue your studies.
Undergraduate degree courses
Universities and some institutions of higher education offer degrees at undergraduate level (first degrees) such as BA, BSc, BEd, BEng and LLB.
Undergraduate degrees, normally last for three years. Sandwich courses, which involve a period of work experience outside the college between periods spent in academic study, and Scottish degrees normally last for four years.
A searchable database of undergraduate courses is provided by UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) on their Web site.
Postgraduate degrees
Postgraduate courses are usually taken once you already have an undergraduate
degree. Taught masters degrees (MA, MBA, MSc) which may involve attendance at
classes, followed by written exams, usually take one year. Research degrees
(MPhil and PhD) involving independent research and the submission of a thesis,
will take up to three years or more.
Before applying for courses, you will need to find out about the course entry requirements. All UK institutions will require you to have a sufficient level of English language to follow your chosen course.
Once you have chosen the right course of study, you will next need to decide which University or college to attend.
There is a wide choice of educational institutions in Britain, often offering very similar courses. Before deciding on where to apply to, you must decide which type of institution will suit you best. This will partly depend on the level of qualification you hope to gain.
Post-school education in the UK is generally divided into further and higher education.
Colleges of Further Education (FE)
FE colleges offer a broad range of courses including GCSE and A-levels (SCE in Scotland), access courses, National Diplomas, GNVQs and other vocational courses (SQA, including GSVQs in Scotland), professional and English language qualifications.
Colleges of Higher Education (HE)
Colleges of HE including colleges of education, which offer courses leading to degrees, postgraduate qualifications, professional and vocational qualifications and higher education diplomas.
Universities
Universities offer higher education qualifications, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and professional qualifications.
Many also offer access courses, BTEC HNDs and, in Scotland, SCOTVEC.
The former polytechnics in England and Wales, and most central institutions in Scotland now have university status.
Private colleges
There are many private or 'independent' colleges whose courses are independent of government funding.
They offer various courses to prepare students for professional, technical or vocational exams, as well as GCSEs, A levels, English language exams and, in some cases, degree courses.
The quality and efficiency of private colleges are not officially monitored, but there are a few organisations which accredit colleges whose standards have been inspected and approved. Accreditation is carried out by the British Accreditation Council (BAC), which provides a list of accredited colleges.
The academic year in Britain starts in September or October and finishes in June or July of the following year. In schools and colleges of further education, entry is possible in September or January (depending on the course). Higher education institutions normally only have one entry point, in September.
All levels of British education are fully integrated. Whether your qualifications are school-based, vocational or academic, there's a route into British education for you.
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