The education system in the UK is divided into three levels of school: six years of Primary education (Years 1-6), seven years of Secondary education (Years 7-13) and normally three to four years of Tertiary education (bachelor; postgraduate; doctorate degree), depending on the type of degree you choose to pursue.

Additionally there are different types of schools available in the UK:

• State schools - schools which are free, funded by taxes and run by local authorities. This can refer to grammar and comprehensive schools which offer secondary education from 11-16 year olds (in some cases 18) as well as technical colleges that provide sixth form education (16-18 year olds). State schools, however, are not generally open to everyone, unless they are resident in the UK, live in the local catchment area, and hold a British passport. Additionally, Grammar schools require students to complete and pass a common entrance exam before acceptance.
• Voluntary-aided schools - Which can also refer to religious Faith Schools and the newly created Academies. These institutions are paid for by local religious, business or parent associations in partnership with the government. These schools offer standard education but with specializations in specific subjects. For example, sports, arts, religion, music etc.
• Independent schools - Often referred to as public schools, these schools require fee payments and usually have a boarding element (either day or full time). For example, Eton, Harrow and Charterhouse are well-known public schools which offer secondary education and are more often than not, single sex establishments, though in the recent years, boys’ boarding schools have started accepting girls at the sixth form level. Similar to Grammar schools, most public schools also require candidates to pass a common entrance exam.

Public examinations take place during years 10-11 (GCSE) and in the sixth form – years 12-13 (A-Level). After completing their A-Levels, students may apply to any local university or higher education college through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).