I would like to understand how to compare the education systems in the USA to the UK - for example, what is the UK-equivalent of a high school graduate? And are O-Levels, GSCEs, etc. at University level, prior to University, or instead of university? Thanks!!!
2006-07-21 01:27:31 · 8 answers · asked by Ebie 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
This may be fairly similar to what has gone before, but these will be as up to date as possible (as I'm doing my A-levels).
At age 16, the end of year 11, all students take their GCSE's (General Certificate of Secondary Education). These are about equal, though slightly inferior to, a high school graduate's diploma. This is the end of compulsory education, and the student can then progress to Further Education, in a Sixth Form College (tending to be an academic specialist), or the other general FE colleges (which offer a variety of academic and vocational courses - such as BTECs, HNDs, and others, these can range up to about a degree level if successive levels are taken).
The A-level is a two year course - which may be roughly equivalent to an 'Associates Degree' though I'm not sure - which these days are split into the AS (Advanced Subsidiary) level, which is the first year, and A2 which is the second year, completing the A-level. So at the end of the first year a course can be dropped and certified at AS-level (which is probably a closer match to a high school diploma).
The major difference at these pre-university levels is that specialisation occurs to a much greater degree than at high school - from what I understand, at high school you study a wide range, while at A level you might study between 3-5 subjects (dropping down to 3 or 4 for A2).
At university you then have to pay (though this is now covered by a loan - which students labour for years to rid themselves of), rather than the free education (government provided rather than the 'public' schools, where you have to pay fees). Here you can either study a Bachelor's or some Masters Degrees.
O-levels I have no experience of, but they were the predecessors of GCSEs and many old people claim they were harder, but it seems that for the most part they are about the same at the top end. The A-levels have changed in the last 5 or so years to the current format, previously there were no AS-levels, there was just a two year course.
Hope that helps.
2006-07-21 04:03:44 · answer #1 · answered by el_jonson 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GCSE's are attempted at 16, O levels were replaced by the GCSE's, A Levels are attempted at 18 and in the UK are cosidered a high qualification (or were when i took them), both prior to University. Equivalent of a high school graduate would be A Levels as i went to a US univeristy with A Levels and started a degree straight away
2006-07-21 08:36:23 · answer #2 · answered by Richelou 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
UK equivalent of a high school graduate would be someone who has completed GCSE's (GSCEs replaced O levels in 1987) A college graduate is the equivalent to someone who has completed A levels. To gain a place in university, A levels are required.
2006-07-21 08:33:16 · answer #3 · answered by Stephen H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GCSE's replace o-levels. You sit them at 16. Most people do 8, some do as few as 3, some as many as 12 or 13.
Then you can do AS (advance subsiduary) level where you take 4 subjects. At the end of one year you drop one subject and convert the other 3 AS's into A2 levels. These replaced the A level system. I was in the first year group who took them, it was not a good year. You take AS/A2's at 18.
These qualifications are counted as FE (further education) as they are after GCSE which pretty much everyone does, but before university which is called HE (Higher Education)
Hope this helps.
2006-07-21 12:08:11 · answer #4 · answered by Cazza 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Olevels were phased out in the late 1980's (I did the last ones). GCSE's took over. They are the end of compulsory education at 16. Then A levels take 2 years to do after GCSE's (usually). You need a number (3 or 4) of good A levels to enter University. Then you do a degree if you are academically able, and don't mind getting into thousands of pounds of debt if you are from a poor background. Then you can do a masters of art or science in the subject of you choice if you are accepted on the course. (and you don't mind getting yet more debt)Finally you can do a Phd which is research based and if you succeed you can call yourself Doctor. Hurrah!
2006-07-21 08:37:32 · answer #5 · answered by ordiofile 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
O-Levels do not exist anymore. They were replaced by GCSE's.
Ina answer to your question;
GCSE - sat by 14-16 year olds.
A-Levels - sat by 16-18 year olds
both qualifications are generally completed prior to university but some people also take them as well as their university course to learn a language for example.
2006-07-21 08:32:42 · answer #6 · answered by Tuppence 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to UCAS the US AP courses are equivalent to Scottish Highers, which acquire slightly more UCAS points than AS-levels. Typically, UK admission's tutors assessing a US students applications would be looking primarily at their SAT score (usually taking no less than 650 in each component), and will then consider what AP courses have been taken. All other courses are completely ignored
2006-07-21 10:49:54 · answer #7 · answered by mr_whippey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 16 everyone in England takes GCSE's, formally O'levels ..... usually take 9 of these, in a variety of subjects, English, Maths, Science, History, Geography etc. After taking these, they can leave school and work, or go on to sixth form and take A-levels at 18..... usually 3/4 of these, before going to University
P.S - After GCSEs they can actually avoid a-levels, and do other exams, not sure what they're called though, BTECs or something, maybe
2006-07-21 08:29:39 · answer #8 · answered by gooner_jim 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋