British Qualifications
GCSE
| A Levels |
Degrees
| PhD |
|---|---|---|---|
GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) are taken by secondary school students, at the age of 14-16 in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar (in Scotland, the equivalent is the Standard Grade).
GCSE courses are taken in a variety of subjects, which are usually decided by the students themselves between the ages of 13 and 14 (in Year 9). Study of chosen subjects normally begins at age 14 (Year 10), and final examinations are then taken at age 16 (Year 11).
At the end of the two-year GCSE course, each student receives a grade for each subject. These grades, from best to worst, are:
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A-levels (Advanced Level) are taken by students in the final two years of secondary education (commonly called the Sixth Form), after they have completed GCSEs. It is a non-compulsory qualification taken by students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, students usually take Highers and Advanced Highers of the Scottish Qualifications Certificate. However, schools may choose to offer the A-Level as an alternative.
A-levels are graded from A to E, along with a fail grade, U (Unclassified or Ungraded).
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In England, Wales and Northern Ireland there are two different types of degree: Honours degrees and Ordinary degrees. The degrees awarded carry a designation related to the broad subject area such as B.A. (Bachelor of arts), B.Sc (Bachelor of Science), B.Eng (Bachelor of Engineering) etc. Most degrees are honours degrees, with an option not to take honours. The standard length of a Honours bachelor's degree is 3 years.
On successful graduation from a bachelor's degree, it is possible to extend your studies in the United Kingdom to study for a degree of Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MSc) etc.
| A doctorate is an academic degree of the highest level. Traditionally, the award of a doctorate implies recognition of the candidate as an equal by the university faculty under which he or she studied. |
