United States vs. United Kingdom
...al of seven years, referred to as six through twelfth grades. The ninth through twelfth grades are most commonly referred to as high school. Upon completion of twelfth grade, American students are awarded a certificate called the high school diploma. In America students must have obtained a high school diploma before they are Kauffman 2 admitted into a university. Foreign students who would like to attend an American college or university must have completed the course work that is equivalent to what is taught at an American high school. Although the United Kingdom education system can seem complex and difficult to understand, in fact it is the complete opposite. Preschool starts at age five while the secondary education in the United Kingdom normally starts at the age of eleven, where many students will leave primary school. For international students coming into the United Kingdom, you will normally enter here or wait and enter at the age of thirteen, to give one year before commencement of your GCSE. From the age of eleven to fourteen, students will study a broad range of subjects such as music, math, sciences, English, etc. When you reach fourteen, you generally enter into your first year of a 2 year process known as your GCSE. (A set of exams that test your knowledge and skill) The GCSE’s take 2 years to complete, and represent the end of students compulsory attendance at school. Based on GCSE results, students will generally move onto sixteen plus education or leave to enter the work world. Most students who have completed high school in the United States are likely to attend a college or a university, referred to as an undergraduate school. These are schools that offer either a two year degree or a four-year degree in a specific course of study called a major. All students are required to select a major by the end of the year at school. Students who complete an associate degree can continue their education at school and eventually complete a bachelor’s degree. Students who have obtained a bachelor’s degree can continue their education by pursuing other types of degrees. Kauffman 3 Sunjit Lalli stated: In the United ...