system of education in uk

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UK Education System Guide

The UK education system is reputed worldwide for its high quality and standards. Britons enter the education system at the age of three, and up to 16 are obliged to attend school (compulsory education), while afterward is upon their choice.

Generally, the British higher education system has five stages of education: 

• Early Years
• Primary Years
• Secondary Education
• Further Education (FE)
• Higher Education (HE) 

Besides sharing many similarities, the UK education system at different levels at each zone of administration (England, Scotland, and Wales) differs a bit. Generally speaking, these differences could be more meaningful if we discuss UK higher education as one.

In the UK, everybody over five and under 16 is obliged to attend school. This aging time frame contains two sections of the education system in the UK: Primary and Secondary Schools.

The Compulsory Education in the UK 

Compulsory education in the UK is divided into four key stages, distinguished by a student’s age. The first stage includes 5 to 7-year-olds, and the fourth and final stage lasts from the age of 14 to age 16. 

Here are the four stages of mandatory education in the UK and the curricula for each key stage:

First Key Stage 

The first key stage in compulsory education in England includes children from 5 to 7 years old, otherwise known as a primary school, comprising the first two years. 

Here are some of the main subjects that this stage of mandatory education includes:

• English Language 
• Mathematics
• Physical Education

During the first year of this stage, the curriculum structure contains the Phonic screening, a short assessment of kids’ ability to decode and understand phonics properly. Typically, the teacher will ask the students to repeat a list of around 40 words out loud. At the end of this stage (the same in all stages), these pupils will sit for an examination to measure their English, Maths, and Science knowledge development.

Second Key Stage

Between 7 to 11 years, pupils will be in the second key stage of compulsory education. The second key stage includes years 3 to 6. At this level, the curriculum is designed to give students a more advanced understanding of the previously gained knowledge on the core subjects. 

At the end of this stage, the school will test students in the following subjects:

• English reading.
• English grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Mathematics.

In English and Mathematics, the testing will be done through national assessment tests, while the teacher will independently assess the level of improvement of each student in Science.

Third Key Stage

Pupils aged 11 to 14 belong to the third stage of compulsory education, or years 7 to 9. This education level is essential to a certain degree because only a few years later, they will sit for the GCSE national qualification. 

The curriculum during this stage of education will also contain new subjects at which students are supposed to get some basic knowledge before moving any further in the upcoming stages of education.

The subjects learned in Key Stage 3 are:

• Art and Design
• Physical Education 
• Modern Foreign Languages 
• Design and Technology and Computing

At the end of the third Key Stage, some students may take their GCSE or other national qualifications. 

Fourth Key Stage

The final stage of compulsory education, key stage 4, lasts from 14 to 16 and includes years 10 to 12. The fourth key stage is the most common period for students to undertake the national assessment tests that will lead them to take a GCSE or other national qualifications.

The compulsory national curriculum at this stage contains the “core” and “foundation” subjects.

Here are the “core” subjects taught at the fourth key stage:

And here are the “foundation” subjects taught at the key stage 4:

• Citizenship

Additionally, schools in the UK are obliged to offer one of the following subjects during this stage of education.

• Design and Technology
• Modern Foreign Languages

The Higher Education System in the United Kingdom 

In particular, UK higher education is valued worldwide for its renowned standards and quality. Its higher education’s prestige also emanates from its graduates’ work afterward. Many eminent people in many different areas whose work reached global recognition came from British universities. 

Some universities and other higher education providers are ranked top among universities worldwide. The UK capital city, London, not by accident, is considered to be the world’s capital city of higher education. With its four universities ranked in the world’s top ten, London has the highest number of worldwide-ranked universities per city.

By definition, UK higher education is the level of education that follows secondary school at the hierarchy of the educational system in the UK. When high school is over, Britons have to sit in a standard examination, making them eligible not to continue their education at a higher level.

What is the Difference Between Colleges and Universities?

In the UK education system, in contrast to the US higher education, there is a difference between college and university. While in the US, there is no distinction between college and university, with most people referring to a higher education provider as a college, in the UK, this is not the case. 

In the UK, a college is a further education institution that prepares students to earn a degree. At the same time, a university is a licensed HE institution that awards students with a degree at the end of their studies. 

Studying in the UK as an International Student 

If you’re an international student , you must know that not all higher education providers in the UK are referred to as a university. This issue is regulated by law. 

As this official regulation states, a higher education institution can be labeled as a university under these circumstances:

• If it gets approved by the Privy Council under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992.
• If it gets approval under the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

International students from countries other than the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland must apply for a student visa to study in the UK.

The UK Higher Education Degree Levels and Programs

Based on the actual education regulations in the UK education system, Higher Education comprises the following levels of courses. 

1. Undergraduate Courses

Undergraduate courses in the UK include a wide range of first degrees which are listed below.

• Bachelor’s Degree 
• Honors and Ordinary Degrees 
• Qualified Teacher Status 
• Enhanced First Degrees 
• Intercalated Degrees (medical schools or other specific study fields allow students to take a year off between the second and third years to study a different area which can be a BA, BSc, or master’s degree program).

Here are other undergraduate courses: 

• Foundation degrees 
• Higher National Diploma HND (or equivalent) 
• NHC (or equivalent), etc.

An undergraduate course usually takes three years; however, Scotland is an exception, where undergraduate courses take four years to complete. The higher education system in the UK has many universities that offer 4-year undergraduate courses, also known as “ sandwich courses .” This program includes a one-year work experience —usually carried out in the third year.

Keep in mind: Some British universities offer fast-track programs where you can obtain a Master’s degree at the undergraduate level. Unlike traditional undergraduate courses, fast-track programs allow students to attend an additional year of studying instead of taking a Bachelor’s degree which leads to a Master’s program. 

Besides, it costs much less than the typical 3-year undergraduate courses; however, it usually is much more intense with shortened holiday breaks and a heavy schedule.

2. Postgraduate Courses 

The postgraduate degree programs are only obtainable if you have a bachelor’s degree at an accredited university (not necessarily one in England).

The postgraduate level includes the following degrees:

• Master’s Degree (Taught or Research). Master’s degrees usually last one year or longer if they are research-based.
• Doctorate. The typical doctoral degree takes three years to complete. 
• Postgraduate Diplomas.
• Postgraduate Certificates of Education (PGCE).
• Professional Degrees.

Note: To enter this level, it is usually required to have a first degree (Bachelor’s).

The Higher Education Curriculum and Admission Process 

In the UK’s education system, most syllabi are set by the universities offering them and are not controlled by the government or certain British educational institutions. The only exception to this is teacher education programs, which the government has a lot of say over. 

The British government has established the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) to maintain those standards. Most countries have specific regulations for their teachers, so this isn’t any different than studying teaching in your home country. Because of its strict rules and high standards for teacher education programs, the UK is considered to have some of the best teacher education programs in the world.

Even though universities set the syllabi, the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) in the British school system has a lot of say in the admission procedures of each university. This office was created so everyone who wishes to attend university in the UK can do so. They also promote fair access to higher education, even for those attending university as international students. Appropriate access also includes those of different cultures, different races, different nationalities, and those who have disabilities.

UK Tuition Fees and Costs

The reputation of British higher education goes hand in hand with its costs. Tuition fees may vary from university to university, as well as from one location to another.

So it’s always advisable to check the university’s website before making further study plans. Indeed, to attend a British university, you need a lot of money packed in —whether you’re a native or not— but since there are many scholarship schemes , you can always apply for one.

The tuition fees of UK universities also vary depending on the degree level and study program. The average tuition fees for international students range from ~£17,109 (USD 20,876) to  ~£22,200 (USD 27,000). 

• Undergraduate tuition fees: International students pay around £11,400 – £38,000 (USD 13,900 – USD 46,355).
• Postgraduate tuition fees: International students pay around £9,000 – £30,000 (USD 10,980 – USD 36,570)

International students are a substantial part of the student population in British universities. The UK is the second most popular study destination for international students, following the US at the top. If you decide to be one of more than a million international students in the US, you’re one step away from a guaranteed brighter future.

Academics and employers value the UK education system and its higher education degrees worldwide. The UK has a rich history of quality higher education, and each university has excellent options for any student.

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British education system

an introduction to the British education system

The British Education System can be very different and potentially confusing for new overseas parents looking to enrol their child at school in the UK. The Bright World team hopes this guide can provide a clear step-by-step introduction to each stage of British education.

The education system in the UK is divided into four main parts; primary education, secondary education, further education and higher education.

The education system in the UK is also split into "key stages" which breaks down as follows:

• Key Stage 1:  5 to 7 years old
• Key Stage 2:  7 to 11 years old
• Key Stage 3:  11 to 14 years old
• Key Stage 4:  14 to 16 years old

UK primary education

Primary school education begins in the UK at age 5 and continues until age 11, comprising key stages one and two under the UK educational system.

Some primary schools are split up into Infant and Junior levels. These are usually separate schools on the same site. The infant age range (Key Stage 1) is from age 5 to 7. The Junior age range (Key Stage 2) is from age 7 to 11. The year groups at primary School level are:

Year R (Reception) (age 4 – 5) Year 1 (age 5 - 6) Year 2 (age 6 - 7) The year when SATs testing takes place for Key Stage 1 Year 3 (age 7 - 8) Year 4 (age 8 - 9) Year 5 (age 9 - 10) Year 6 (age 10 - 11) The year when SATs testing takes place for Key Stage 2

secondary school - years 7 and 8

Years 7 and 8 are the first two years of secondary school education in the UK. In some independent schools they are included in the Junior School, in others, they are part of the Senior School. 

Under the UK school system, all students study English, Maths, Sciences, a Humanities subject and a Modern Language. Besides these, each school has a list with optional subjects such as Art, Music, Drama, Latin, Sport Science, Design Technology, Computer Science, etc. and students may choose a few subjects that interest them. 

In some schools, students sit the Common Entrance Exam in year 7. There are 3 examination sessions, in November, January and May/June. The transition from Junior to Senior School (from year 8 to year 9) may be conditioned upon the Common Entrance Exam results in those schools.

secondary school - year 9

Year 9 is a very important year in the British school system, as many students make the transition from Junior School to Senior School. It is also a very good foundation for the GCSE programme and it is an entry point to all schools. 

secondary education - years 10 and 11

GCSE programme

In the last two years of secondary education, which are called Year 10 and Year 11, starting at age 14, students prepare for GCSE exams that are taken after two years (General Certificate of Secondary Education).

In the UK school system, during the GCSE programme, students study between 9 and 12 subjects. Some of them are compulsory (English, Maths, Sciences, Humanities, a Modern Language etc.), some are chosen by each student according to their abilities and preferences. At the end of the 2 year GCSE programme, following the examinations on each studied subject, students receive their GCSE Certificates.

The chosen subjects and the GCSE results are very important for their Further Studies (A-Level or IB) and for their University admission.

Intensive 1 year GCSE

Some schools offer a 1 Year GCSE programme in Year 11 for international students seeking a school education in the UK. These intensive, one year courses, are available for students aged 15 plus, with the appropriate academic level from their own country. Fewer subjects are studied (maximum 6).

The IGCSE programme ( International  General Certificate of Secondary Education) prepare international students for A-Level and/or IB.

Students study between 5 and 7 subjects, English, Maths and Science being included. Each school has a list of available subjects for IGCSE students. At the end of Year 11, students take exams in each studied subject and receive IGCSE Certificates.

university preparation - years 12 and 13

A level study

In the UK school system, once a student reaches the age of 16, they can start a 2 year programme which leads to A (Advanced) level examinations. Students specialise in 3 or 4 subjects, that are usually relevant to the degree subject they wish to follow at university. A levels are state examinations and are recognised by all UK universities and by institutions worldwide.

At the end of Year 13, following the examinations in each subject, the students receive A level Certificates.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Those who would like to study more than 3-4 subjects, may continue their studies in a broader number of subjects with the International Baccaularete Diploma Programme, offered by some independent schools.

During the IB, students study 6 subjects, 3 at higher level (HL) and 3 at standard level (SL). Each school offers different subjects at different study levels (HL/SL). The IB programme also includes a compulsory Core programme consisting of Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE) and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).

Students take written examinations on each subject at the end of their courses.

further education - vocational courses

International students can either choose a state sixth form college or a college of further education as an alternative to private education. Both offer GCSE and A level courses for students from the age of 16. Colleges of further education also offer foundation and diploma courses. All colleges can prepare students for entry to a  UK university or any university in the world. Bright World works with a number of state colleges in the UK which provide a multitude of vocational and academic courses. These courses can enable students to pursue their chosen career or to gain a place at a university of their choice.

The British school system also extends to BTEC courses which are designed for students who would like to develop practical knowledge and skills in a specific subject (Business, Psychology, Engineering, Sport, Art & Design) and find traditional exams challenging. Focussing on practical, skills-based learning, the BTEC students are assessed during the course. After each unit students are assessed through assignments, tasks or tests, and not at the end of the programme as it happens with GCSE or A-Level students.

university - foundation courses

From age 17, international students can opt to study one year foundation programmes, instead of A levels or IB. These courses lead to private examinations that are an alternative to A levels. Foundation courses at colleges are recognised by universities with whom they have partnerships.

Some universities also offer foundation courses that lead onto their own degree programmes.

Bright World has partnerships with a number of colleges and Pathway providers and can help place students into Foundation and Diploma courses in London and across the UK.

university - undergraduate study

In the UK, a British bachelors degree normally takes three years to complete and most are awarded at honours level. Examples of first degrees are: BA (Bachelor of Arts), BEng (Bachelor of Engineering), and BSc (Bachelor of Science).

State colleges offer some 2 year vocational diplomas that grant exemption from the first and sometimes second year of a degree programme. Some private tutorial colleges offer a one year diploma programme which is equivalent to year 1 of university. Students taking 1 year diplomas are awarded second year entry at some universities.

university - postgraduate study

Postgraduate courses in the UK education system are very intensive. This means that the courses are usually much shorter than in other countries. A master's degree typically takes 12 months to complete, for example an MA - Master of Arts and an MEng - Master of Engineering. An MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a high profile Masters course which can take 2 years. Applicants will usually be high achieving with at least 2 years managerial experience. A PhD research degree in the UK can take between 2 and 7 years.

boarding schools

Bright World works almost exclusively with privately funded schools and colleges. A boarding school is a residential school where pupils live and study during the school year. There are approximately 500 boarding schools across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

UK boarding schools offer pupils an outstanding education, helping them to develop their skills and progress to university. All UK boarding schools have to meet strict government standards on the quality of their teaching, facilities and student care.

Many UK boarding schools combine beautiful, centuries-old buildings with a mix of modern classrooms and traditional architecture. The excellent facilities help make living and learning a great experience and pupils will will improve their English skills while they study.

tutorial colleges

Tutorial Colleges start at age 15 and have a more flexible programme range, focussing on fast access to UK university.

Many of the independent private sixth form colleges in Oxford, Cambridge and London work on a 'tutorial system' and are often referred to as 'tutorial colleges'. The tutorial system originates from Oxford and Cambridge Universities and is a very highly regarded and much tested system. It it is still used today and is the cornerstone of an 'Oxbridge' education. A tutorial is a small class of only a few students, in which the tutor (a lecturer or other academic faculty member) gives individual attention to the students.

state boarding schools

A state boarding school is one where you pay for boarding and the education is free. The government pays for the education as it would at any other state school in England.

Admission to state boarding schools in the UK is limited to children who are nationals of the UK and are eligible to hold a full UK passport, or those who are nationals of other European Union countries or those who have the right of residence in the UK. Please note that the holding of a BN(O) passport does not make the child eligible for a state boarding school in the UK.

F E Colleges

An FE college is an institution that provides education for those above school age (age 16). There are many types of FE colleges including, sixth form colleges, specialist colleges and adult education institutes. FE Colleges are state run and as such those members of the EU joining can benefit from free education. There is also a competitive fee structure available for non-EU international students.

pathway courses at university

If you need to improve your English language or study skills before attending a UK university, pathway providers offer unique foundation courses which often lead to direct degree-level entry upon completion. There are several private companies who operate Foundation and Diploma programmes on the campuses of UK universities. Often these courses offer accelerated access to undergraduate degrees.

universities

The UK is one of the world's most popular destination for students from overseas. In fact, more than 400,000 international students enrol each year. International students considering an education in the UK have a choice of over 140 universities and higher education institutions, each offering a great range of tertiary qualifications that will be recognised the world over. Students join a 3 year undergraduate programme or a 1 year postgraduate course.

UK university placement

For expert advice on UK and US university entry, Bright World has teamed up with Education Advisers Ltd, whose experienced consultants offer a full range of Higher Education services for international students. These range from complimentary advice on the best University Foundation courses, to bespoke Oxbridge and Medical School coaching and mentorship programmes.

You can visit their websites at www.educationadvisers.co.uk or call +44 1622 813870 for further information.

guardianship and school placement advice

Boarding school guardianship.

If your child is attending a boarding school you will need to nominate a UK guardian. Bright World can help you with this service.

university guardianship

If you are under 18 when you start university you will need to nominate a UK-based adult or guardian. Bright World has a programme especially for you.

boarding school placement

If you are looking for a place at a UK boarding school Bright World can help you.

enquire today

Bright world uk schools placement service.

Enquire today and receive our free Guide to British Education

read our online brochures

Bright world guardianship programme.

Bright World boarding school placements

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The national curriculum

The ‘basic’ school curriculum includes the ‘national curriculum’ , as well as relationships, sex and health education, and religious education .

The national curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject.

Other types of school like academies and private schools do not have to follow the national curriculum. Academies must teach a broad and balanced curriculum including English, maths and science. They must also teach relationships and sex education, and religious education.

The national curriculum is organised into blocks of years called ‘key stages’ (KS). At the end of each key stage, the teacher will formally assess your child’s performance.

Assessments

By the end of each summer term the school must write a report on your child’s progress and talk it through with you.

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• Education and training statistics for the UK

Higher education student figures for 2018/19 have been corrected.

Introduction

This release compiles information on education systems across the United Kingdom. Education is devolved in the UK, so each part of the United Kingdom has a separate education system, with different attainment measures.

In this release, there are sections focusing on the school system: numbers of schools, pupils and teachers; pupil teacher ratios; and a section on attendance during the coronavirus outbreak.

This is followed by sections looking at post-compulsory education, which includes the number of further and higher education institutions, the number of staff and the number of students. There is also a section on young adults (aged between 16-24) who are not in education or employment.

The next sections focus on students’ qualifications, typically taken at ages 16 and 18, as well as the highest qualifications held by adults in the UK (aged 19-64).

Finally there is a section showing government education expenditure in the UK.

Quick links

Related information, data guidance.

• Pre-release access list

Releases in this series

• Reporting year 2023
• Reporting year 2022
• Reporting year 2021
• Reporting Year 2019
• Reporting Year 2018
• Reporting Year 2017
• Reporting Year 2016
• Reporting Year 2015
• Reporting Year 2014
• Reporting Year 2013
• Reporting Year 2012
• Reporting Year 2011

Methodologies

Headline facts and figures - 2020.

• Pupil-teacher ratios in maintained schools were lowest in Scotland ( 13.6 ) and similar in England ( 18.2 ) , Wales ( 19.3 ) and Northern Ireland ( 18.3 ).
• Females outperform males in the main measures of attainment across the UK, make up a greater share of higher education students ( 57% ) and have a higher level of qualification among 19-64 year olds ( 46% with NQF level 4 or above compared to 42% for males).

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Browse and download open data files from this release in our data catalogue

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Download all data available in this release as a compressed ZIP file

School numbers

In 2019/20, there were 29,624 maintained schools across the UK, an increase of 26 compared to 2018/19, with the majority of these at nursery and primary level. There were 32,028 schools overall (although this excludes independent schools in Scotland and Wales as these figures were unavailable). At nursery level, Scotland figures include all providers of funded Early Learning and childcare, whereas figures across the rest of the UK only include nurseries.

Pupil numbers

The number of pupils in maintained schools continued to rise in 2019/20 across the UK, with an increase of 0.9% in England, 0.2% in Wales, 0.6% in Scotland and 0.7% in Northern Ireland. 

There has been a greater increase in the percentage of pupils in special schools, 4.1%, than in other school types across the UK (except for pupils in middle schools, which saw a rise of 17.5%, but this is only in Wales and reflects the increase in the number of middle schools in Wales in 2019/20).

Data on the number of pupils by gender and school type in each country (and each region of England) is available in the underlying data along with data by age and school type at a UK level.

Teacher numbers

The number of full-time equivalent teachers across maintained schools remained broadly stable between 2018/19 and 2019/20 across the UK.

• In Scotland, teacher numbers increased in both primary and secondary schools. 
• In both England and Northern Ireland there was a slight decrease in the number of teachers in primary schools but an increase in secondary. 
• In Wales the number of teachers in both primary and secondary schools had fallen slightly; this was balanced out by an increase in the number of teachers in middle schools, reflecting the increase in the number of middle schools in 2019/20. 

All countries saw a rise in the number of teachers in special schools which reflects the growing number of pupils in special schools.

The impact of changes in both teacher and pupil numbers can be seen in the section on pupil teacher ratios. 

Pupil teacher ratios (PTR)

Pupil teacher ratios (PTR) show the number of pupils for every teacher. Across the UK the PTRs follow a similar pattern across all phases, with Scotland having the lowest PTRs and England, Wales and Northern Ireland all having very similar PTRs.

PTRs for all maintained schools rose slightly between 2015/16 and 2019/20 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by a similar amount (0.6 to 0.8), whereas in Scotland they remained stable over this period.

When looking across primary, middle, secondary and special schools there has been an increase in the PTR over this period in every country and every phase, with the exception of primary schools in Scotland, which saw a decrease from 16.7 to 15.9 over this period.

Comparing the PTRs across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales with the regions of England, Scotland had the lowest PTRs of any area at all phases, followed by Inner London.

For all schools, Wales, the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber and the East of England had the highest PTRs. Northern Ireland had the highest PTRs at primary level, Wales and the East Midlands at secondary, and Wales in special schools.

Attendance in education settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

The data in this section shows the percentage of children attending educational settings during the COVID-19 outbreak and the percentage of settings that were open during the outbreak. These figures cover the period from the 23rd March to the 26th June 2020. The figures are presented until the 26th June as this is when the Northern Ireland data collection ended (on the 29th June) and when schools in Scotland began to finish the summer term.

The data for each part of the UK is taken directly from their respective published information, and the methodologies and coverage for each will differ significantly. There will also have been changes to the surveys and the methodologies behind the figures across countries during this time period, as policy requirements evolved. Also, term dates and bank holidays will be different in each country in the UK, so changes in the time series may occur at different points for each country. Therefore, direct comparisons between numbers should not be made.

More detailed information on the methodology used in each part of the UK can be found at:

England - Attendance in education and early years settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Scotland - Attendance and absence data for pupils and staff in schools and childcare settings (opens in a new tab)

Wales - Attendance at local authority settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (opens in a new tab)

Northern Ireland - Management Information relating to Attendance at educational settings during the COVID-19 outbreak (opens in a new tab)

Across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the percentage of children attending remained under 2% throughout this time period, whereas in England the percentage remained stable between March and May, followed by an increase from the beginning of June. This meant attendance increased from under 2% to a peak of 16.7% on 23rd June. This increase reflects the phased reopening of schools in England from June 1st (opens in a new tab) , whereas across the rest of the UK education settings only remained open for priority groups. The phased reopening of schools in Wales began on 29th June (opens in a new tab) , in Scotland settings reopened at the beginning of the new school term on 11th August (opens in a new tab) and in Northern Ireland they reopened to all pupils at the beginning of the new school term in the week commencing 31st August (opens in a new tab) .

Data on the percentage of settings open during the period is also available in the underlying data.

Higher and further education

In 2018/19 there were 2.6 million students doing higher education at UK higher education institutions, further education colleges and at alternative providers. About two thirds of these are studying first degrees, 1 in 5 studying a masters, 1 in 20 doing a PhD and 1 in 10 on other undergraduate courses.

Females made up a greater share of students at every level other than for PhDs, where males made up 51.0% of all students, despite females making up a greater share of overall postgraduate students. The share of females also rose at every level between 2017/18 and 2018/19, increasing from 56.7% to 57.2% overall.

The most popular subject group studied in higher education in the UK is business & administrative studies with 410,000 students (16% of all students), followed by social sciences (including law) (14%) and subjects allied to medicine (12%).

There are clear differences in the subject group figures by gender: 

• Females were more likely to enrol in both subjects allied to medicine and social sciences (including law) than males. 16% of all female students enrolled in each of these subjects whereas for males the figures were 6% and 12% respectively.
• For males the most popular subjects were business & administrative studies (19% of all male students) followed by engineering and technology (13%). Males were also much more likely to enrol in both engineering & technology (13%) and mathematical and computing sciences (12%), whereas for females the percentages were only 2 and 3% respectively.

These figures are available in the underlying data for 2016/17 to 2018/19, as well as figures by level of education and mode of study. 

Data on the total number of national and overseas students is also available, by gender, level of education and mode of study.

The number of students in further education in the UK continued to decrease in 2018/19, falling by 3.3% compared to 2017/18. The number of students fell by 4.5% in England and by 4.3% in Northern Ireland, but increased by 10.4% in Scotland and by 3.1% in Wales. 

Further information on the demographics of further education students (gender, age and mode of study), as well as the number of colleges and staff, can be found in the underlying data.

Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)

The percentage of 16-24 year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) in the UK was 11.0% from July-September 2020, down from 11.2% in the previous quarter and 11.6% in the same quarter last year.

However, there are differences in these trends when looking at the gender breakdown: 

• The percentage of males who were NEET increased by 0.1 percentage points to 12.1% over the last year 
• The percentage of females who were NEET decreased by 1.2 percentage points to 9.9% over the last year

There has also been a difference in the magnitude of the decrease in the NEET when looking at age groups. 

• The percentage of 16-17 year-olds decreased by 1.6 percentage points to 3.2% over the last year
• The percentage of 18-24 year olds decreased by 0.2 percentage points to 13.1% over the last year 

More information on these statistics is available from the Office of National Statistics. (opens in a new tab) Statistics for each part of the UK are available at:

England - Statistics: NEET and participation (opens in a new tab)

Scotland - Skills Development Scotland - Annual Participation Measure (opens in a new tab)

Wales - Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) (opens in a new tab)

Northern Ireland - Quarterly Labour Force Survey Tables (opens in a new tab)

Qualification headline measures

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different headline measures for the performance of students in examinations, using different methodologies to calculate the relevant percentages or scores. The headline measures for each part of the UK are presented here and subject level data is available in the underlying data.

Given the different qualifications systems and headline measures, it is not suitable to present a direct comparative picture of pupil performance across the UK. 

More detail on the national performance measures used across the UK can be found at the relevant sources for each country and each level of education:

England - Statistics: GCSEs (key stage 4) (opens in a new tab)

England  - Statistics: 16 to 19 attainment (opens in a new tab)

Scotland - Summary Statistics for Attainment and Initial Leaver Destinations (opens in a new tab)

Wales - Examination results (opens in a new tab)

Northern Ireland - Year 12 and Year 14 Examination Performance at Post-Primary Schools in Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)

One noticeable trend that occurs across the UK is that females outperform males in almost all of the headline measures. The only exceptions to this are the percentage of 16-18 years olds in England who achieve 3 A Levels at A*-A and the percentage who achieve 3 A Levels of AAB or above, however the total number of females achieving these measures is still higher as a larger number of females enter A Levels.

Highest qualification for adults aged 19-64

Across the UK 82% of adults aged 19-64 have a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level of 2 or above. This decreases to 64% with NQF level 3 or above and 44% at level 4 or above.

A higher percentage of females are qualified to each of these levels than males. 

87% of the population aged 19 to 24 and 25 to 29 hold NQF level 2 or above; this decreases with each older age group. For NQF level 3 or above, the age group with the highest qualification rate is 25-29 year olds and 30-39 year olds for NQF level 4 or above.

Education expenditure

The amount of government expenditure on education rose by 5% from 2018-19 to 2019-20, with an increase of 2% on primary education and an 8% increase in spend on secondary education.

Help and support

Methodology.

Find out how and why we collect, process and publish these statistics.

Accredited official statistics

These accredited official statistics have been independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics . Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 .

Accreditation signifies their compliance with the authority's Code of Practice for Statistics which broadly means these statistics are:

• managed impartially and objectively in the public interest
• meet identified user needs
• produced according to sound methods
• well explained and readily accessible

Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR).

OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards. Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing [email protected] or via the OSR website .

If you have a specific enquiry about Education and training statistics for the UK statistics and data:

International evidence and statistics team

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UK Education System

The education system in the UK is divided into four main parts, primary education, secondary education, further education and higher education. Children in the UK have to legally attend primary and secondary education which runs from about 5 years old until the student is 16 years old.

The education system in the UK is also split into "key stages" which breaks down as follows:

• Key Stage 1: 5 to 7 years old
• Key Stage 2: 7 to 11 years old
• Key Stage 3: 11 to 14 years old
• Key Stage 4: 14 to 16 years old

Generally key stages 1 and 2 will be undertaken at primary school and at 11 years old a student will move onto secondary school and finish key stages 3 and 4.

Students are assessed at the end of each stage. The most important assessment occurs at age 16 when students pursue their GCSE's or General Certificate of Secondary Education. Once students complete their GCSE's they have the choice to go onto further education and then potential higher education, or finish school and go into the working world.

Our overview of the education system in the UK is divided into five main sections:

Primary Education

Primary education begins in the UK at age 5 and continues until age 11, comprising key stages one and two under the UK educational system. Please visit the British Council page for more information on primary education.

Secondary Education

From age 11 to 16, students will enter secondary school for key stages three and four and to start their move towards taking the GCSE's - learn more about secondary education in the UK and what it will involve. Primary and secondary education is mandatory in the UK; after age 16, education is optional.

Further Education

Once a student finishes secondary education they have the option to extend into further education to take their A-Levels, GNVQ's, BTEC's or other such qualifications. UK students planning to go to college or university must complete further education.

Higher Education

Probably the most important subject area on this site, this explains more about the higher education system in the UK and how it works for international students. Most international students will enter directly into the UK higher education system, after completing their home country’s equivalent to the UK’s “further education.”

Entry Requirements

Each level of education in the UK has varying requirements which must be satisfied in order to gain entry at that level - learn more about the education entry requirements for the UK.

UK Degree Online

With online programs growing in popularity, this means the availability of top-notch online programs is also on the rise. If you want to obtain a UK accredited degree without having to relocate to the United Kingdom, choosing to study online is a good option for you. Getting a UK accredited degree online allows you to fit your studies into your schedule and save money on travel costs while having access to a variety of top programs.

Please note that Scotland has a separate education system and does not conform to the above structure. Please learn more about the Scottish Education System .

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