UK Education System

There are 4 stages to the UK education system. Students are assessed at the end of each stage:

The first significant assessment occurs at the end of Secondary level with GCSE exams (General Certificate of Secondary Education). Cambridge Education Group also offers an alternative Pre:Programme specially designed for international students. This can be studied for 1, 2 or 3 terms.

Students are then able to progress to Sixth Form and at our two CATS colleges, Cambridge Education Group can offer A level, International Baccalaureate, University Foundation or Cambridge Pre-U programmes.

On completion of their Sixth Form studies, most students can progress straight to University. The exception to this is in the Creative Arts, where students must complete an additional year of Art & Design Foundation before they can apply to Art School.

Gaining a University degree is a key stage of education for students hoping to achieve graduate level employment. International students who have not completed Sixth Form studies in the UK are generally recommended to complete a suitable Foundation programme before progressing to their undergraduate or master's degree.

Secondary Education

UK students usually begin a 2-year GCSE programme at age 14, with exams that test knowledge and skill.

International students commonly begin GCSEs between age 14-16 and follow a one-year fast track as preparation for Sixth Form. At CATS Cambridge and CATS Canterbury, the GCSE can be replaced by a specially devised Pre:Programme that prepares students more effectively for further study. Students sit English and Mathematics GCSE exams plus any other subjects of their choice at the end of the year.

Most students will choose a selection of subjects from the following main categories:

1. English Language
2. Other modern languages including student’s native language
3. Maths
4. Sciences (either combined or separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and ICT
5. Humanities (History, Geography, Law, Psychology, Sociology etc)
6. Arts (Music, Drama, Art & Design)

Students then move on to Sixth Form.

Find out more about these programmes in our courses section
…including key facts, subject options, student profiles and downloads

Back to top

Sixth Form

After completing a Pre:Programme or GCSEs, students can choose from four courses:

1. A-level (2 years or 1 year fast-track)
2. International Baccalaureate (2 years only)
3. University Foundation (1 year fast-track)
4. Cambridge Pre-U (2 years only)

These programmes vary in length from the standard two year programmes to a one year fast track. They provide the training, knowledge and skills demanded by universities around the world.

Each of these courses offers a wide range of subject options, and our Educational Advisors can help advise which is the most suitable choice for a particular student.

This will depend on a combination of:

• Age and maturity of student
• English Language level
• University aspirations
• Desired degree subject
• Financial means

Find out more about each programme in our courses section
…including key facts, subject options, student profiles and downloads

Back to top

Foundation: Art & Design or Drama

Art & Design Foundation programmes last for one year and aim to introduce students to a range of different artistic disciplines before selecting their area of specialism. At Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts, for example, students will gain experience in the following:

• Applied Crafts
• Fashion
• Film and Video
• Fine Art - Painting, Sculpture and Printmaking
• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Life Drawing
• Photography
• Textiles
• Theatre Arts
• Visual Studies
• 3D - Interior and Product Design
• 3D - Architecture

At the end of the Foundation, students will be equipped with a strong portfolio which is essential for gaining a place on an Art & Design degree.

Similarly, students who wish to study Acting degrees at Drama School; or Music courses at Conservatoires and specialist schools, can benefit considerably from an additional Foundation year after their Sixth Form studies. For example, Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts offers the only Drama Foundation in association with RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) in the world, and has a 100% success rate in placing students in drama schools at the end of the year.

We also offer a specilaist Music Foundation which provides a broad basis for a range of possible careers in music.

Find out more about these programmes in our courses section
…including key facts, subject options, student profiles and downloads

Back to top

Higher Education

The UK has over 100 universities offering a huge range of degree programmes for students around the world.

Approximately one-third of UK sixth form students progress to higher education. This means that competition for the top universities is very fierce, and a good education at sixth form is essential for ambitious students.

Degree lengths

Degree programmes vary in length but these are the most common:

Undergraduate

• three years in England
• four years in Scotland
• four years for “sandwich course” – courses which offer a year abroad or in the workplace
• up to five years for some professional degrees e.g. medicine, veterinary, law

Postgraduate

• one year for Master’s programmes
• two years for MBA
• three years for Doctorates (PhD)

Universities charge fees for International students ranging from £4,000 per year right up to £18,000 per year or more. EU students pay less with anything up to £3,070.

Foundation courses

Most international students will take some kind of foundation course before beginning a degree at a UK university. This could be simply a few weeks pre-sessional study covering study skills and Academic English language.

For many students, a longer course is required to reach the required 7.0 IELTS level expected by most UK universities. We offer a range of Foundation programmes in partnership with a choice of carefully selected universities. These provide guaranteed progression to a huge range of degree programmes for students successfully completing the course.

Find out more about Foundation programmes in our courses section
…including key facts, subject options, student profiles and downloads

Back to top

Find out more about study in the UK

• Find out more about why the UK is the ideal place to study
• Find out more about the new visa process
• Find out more about cost of living in the UK

Useful websites

British Council

UK.International Student.com

UK Council for International Student Affairs

International Baccalaureate Organisation