Comments on: What age do people in England typically start college?

By: SLF

SLF — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:31:59 +0000

we all go to secondary (high) school till 16, then those who want to go to university at 18 stay on till 18 to do A levels.
‘College’ normally means where you go at 18, to do a degree (not as good as a university), but it’s confusing as we also have sixth-form colleges from 16-18.

Depends what you mean really. What is different from the US is that when we say ‘school’ we mean where you go up till 16 whereas I believe you include post-18 education in the definition of ‘school’?
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By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:00:59 +0000

It's called university here; at 18
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By: guiri

guiri — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:22:59 +0000

The college concept is somewhat alien in England.

Many kids go to the same school from 5 to 18 (approx) and get their GCSE and A levels there. Then they go to University or on to further training.

Others, especially in the state system, go to primary schools from 5 to 11 then secondary schools.
They can leave school at 16, although many stay longer, to 18 – even 19, to take A level exams which are necessary for university entrance.

Many of those who leave at 16, and those who cannot gain university entrance, take up apprenticeships or attend so called ´Further Training Colleges. Others enter the job market.
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Been there. Have a look at Wikipedia. They explain it more fully. Type in Secondary Education, then click on UK.

By: RR

RR — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:36:59 +0000

Secondary schools take students from the age of 11.

There are "Sixth Form Colleges". Students start at 16 and leave at 18. There are also schools that educate students until they are 18.

Typically, from 18-21, students can go to university to read for a degree. A PhD and some vocational qualifications take longer.
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By: David W

David W — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:31:59 +0000

16 high school 11-16
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By: My name

My name — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:17:59 +0000

Your in High school from the age of 11 to 16 where to take tests known as GCSE’s, this is compulsory, after this you can choose to go into further education which includes the tests known as A levels, this is from the ages of 16 to 18 and can be done at a Sixth form or college, a sixth form is like college but it is still attached to a school. In A levels previous compulsory subjects likes maths and science can be dropped and replaced with a minimum of 3 specialist subjects (for example some one might choose history, physics and politics) they would take exams in these subjects to gain their A levels which are the requirements of getting into university at the age of 18.

I think though that in America you substitute the words college and university for one another, whereas they are different things in the UK.
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By: Dan H

Dan H — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:49:59 +0000

16. You are in Secondary (High) school from when you are 11 – 16 and then students tend to start college immediately after. The University at 18.
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