Random work-related question [ATTN: Brits]

[grammargirl]

Can someone please explain to me the British secondary and post-secondary educational system? Specifically, the difference between GCSEs and A-Levels, the difference between Sixth Form and college, the difference between college and university, and the American equivalents of any and all of these things. Anything else you can think of that might be helpful when Americanizing a YA novel about a lower-class British girl in Year Eleven would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Comments

[the-laird.livejournal.com]

GCSEs are the exams you take when you are 16. These are the base level qualifications (maths, physics, etc). These qualify you to take the A-levels.

Most schools require 5 GCSEs of C or above to get into the 6th form. Some colleges are the same.

I think the average number of GCSEs to take is 7 or 8. Some schools push for more by having you take some early (for example, my school average was 10, I did 12).

Most people who stay on to 6th form (you can either stay in the same school or transfer, the latter is pretty rare tho) take 3 A-levels. Some take 4 (I did 4 A-levels and 2 AS levels). There is also a thing called an AS-level, which is more like the European system (you would take 5 of those). The AS level sits between a GCSE and A-level.

To UK people, college and 6th form are basically interchangeable. 6th form is a school-based A-level program from 16-18. College is a more relaxed, (historically) vocational place to take exams, which may or may not be A-levels, for the same time period. Some people use college to retrain or to retake GCSEs. We also have things called NVQs (national vocational qualifications) that are seen in colleges and much less frequently in schools. NVQs are more usually done in jobs where people left school at 16 (which you can do in the UK). The UK system is seeing a lot of changes at the moment, McDonalds can offer an NVQ now which is seen as being the same as an A-level.

If you have read Harry potter, OWLs and NEWTS work like GCSEs and A-levels. You can only take a specific subject at A-level if you have the correct GCSEs. For example, most places need you to have maths and physics at GCSE to be able to take a Physics A-level. If you flunk one, you can't do the A-level.

In the UK we then go to University (so US college = UK university).

Any of that make sense?

[grammargirl.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, that was really thorough and helpful, thanks!