UK pre-degree system and qualifications

GCSEs and equivalents
School students in the UK usually obtain GCSEs and equivalent qualifications at the age of about 16.

They usually take between five and ten subjects, chosen from a wide range. There is no age limit, and many mature students and international students take them.

For some further and degree courses, passes in mathematics or English at this level are essential.

GCSE, CSE, IGCSE
The GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) is the first qualification in the British education system, usually completed by students aged 16.

It replaced the former GCE O (ordinary) level and CSE examinations. O-levels are still recognised by UK universities and colleges, and are taken by many students overseas.

Students usually study from five to ten subjects, which normally include English, mathematics, science, technology, a modern language and either history or geography.

Many other subjects are available. The GCSE is graded on a scale of A (highest) to G (lowest). To progress to the next level – usually academic or vocational A-levels – students normally need at least four passes at grade C or above.

Subjects are graded individually. Universities and employers usually regard A to C as pass grades.

Vocational GCSEs
You can now also study for a vocational (work-related) GCSE which concentrates on work-related aspects of subjects.
Vocational GCSEs are offered in:

  •     art and design
  •     business
  •     engineering
  •     health and social care
  •     information and communications technology (ICT)
  •     leisure and tourism
  •     manufacturing
  •     science

One vocational GCSE is equivalent to two conventional GCSEs. As with other GCSEs, grades range from A* (the highest) to G. IGCSE is the international equivalent of the GCSE, administered by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES). It has the same grading system.

Scottish Standard Grades
The Scottish equivalent of the GCSE is the Standard Grade of the Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE). Individual subjects are graded upward in three levels:

  • Foundation
  • General
  • Credit

A-levels and equivalents
A-levels and their Scottish equivalents are the most popular option for continuing students after GCSEs and SCEs. These qualifications allow students to progress into higher education or gain employment.

A-levels have international recognition and are regarded as the 'gold standard' of English education. A large range of subjects is available. Students normally gain A-level qualifications two years after the GCSE.

GCE A-level and AS level
A-level students follow a programme for one or two years.

At the end of the first year, students are assessed for an Advanced Subsidiary (AS) qualification. They may either use this as a separate qualification, or continue to study for a second year to take the A2 examination and complete a full A-level.

Students are encouraged to take four or five subjects to AS level for one year, and specialise in two or three of these in the second year. AS grades may count towards university entrance requirements, but AS qualifications alone will not fully meet these requirements.

There is no age limit for taking A-levels, and many international students take them, often to meet university entrance requirements. Many colleges of further education and independent colleges offer intensive one-year A-level programmes.

Vocational A-levels
Vocational A-levels (at N/SVQ level 3) are available, to run parallel to academic A-levels. These are formally named Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) and replace the Advanced GNVQ. Students in many schools and colleges will study a mixture of A-levels and AVCEs.

Like AS/A2 A-level courses, they can be studied for one or two years. Subjects are available in many occupational areas, including:

  • media
  • IT
  • engineering
  • business
  • science
  • travel and tourism

These qualifications have equivalent value to A-levels for meeting the general entrance requirements of higher education institutions. For entry to some degree programmes, academic A-levels may be preferred.

In addition to studying for A-level and AVCE qualifications, UK students will study 'Key Skills':

  • application of number
  • communication
  • IT
  • study skills
  • problem solving
  • working with others

Grades may count towards university entrance requirements.

A-levels are graded from A to E (pass grades) and U (fail).

Scottish Higher and Advanced Higher
There are Scottish equivalents to the English AS, A2 and vocational A-level courses.

Students in their last two years at school (generally aged 17 or 18 years) usually study five subjects in the first year and three of these for a further year.

Grading is from A–C. Both academic and vocational subjects are available.

Students can gain a Group Award if they complete at least two courses. This award acknowledges achievement in five core skills:

  • communication
  • numeracy
  • IT
  • problem-solving
  • working with others

International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a two-year course that is available in many countries, including the UK.

Students study six subjects, three at higher level and three at subsidiary level. Subjects are graded from 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The IB is the equivalent of three A-levels.

The IB is widely accepted as an entry qualification by British universities and other institutions throughout the world. Subjects studied include arts, sciences, languages, humanities and mathematics.

The IB is offered by a relatively small number of schools and colleges in the UK.

Access and foundation courses
These are aimed at students who need an introduction to academic study, further tuition in their chosen subject, or to improve their study skills and English language ability. Successful students can progress to a variety of different undergraduate courses.

There are a number of courses available to help students who do not meet the normal entrance requirements for first degree and other undergraduate programmes. These courses can help students who need to develop their English language or study skills, or those whose academic achievements are not sufficient.

Many students entering UK degree programmes do so by using entry qualifications such as A-levels or overseas equivalents. Some students, however, have no formal qualification in the discipline in which they wish to study for a degree qualification, or have not studied at a high enough level.

There are many access and foundation courses intended to prepare such students for undergraduate study.

  • access courses are designed for adults who left school some years previously without formal qualifications
  • foundation courses are suitable for students who have already studied a subject up to A-level standard, or who need to improve their study skills and English to undertake a degree course

Access and foundation courses are sometimes called 'bridging courses', as they provide a way of bridging the gap between a student's current academic abilities, and those needed to be able to undertake a degree programme.

Access and foundation courses may be offered:

  • for entry to particular degree programmes, at the same institution, or another partner institution
  • to provide entry qualifications for degree programmes in a particular subject at any institution offering such programmes
  • as a general course to prepare students for entry to a wide variety of degree programmes

Pre-sessional courses
Students who do not need to study a whole year of foundation studies before beginning a degree programme often follow a pre-sessional programme.

Many colleges offer these programmes, usually in the period from April to September, for students who need a preparatory course in English, academic study skills, or cultural background studies, before starting a full-time degree programme.