A Guide to Education & International Schools in the UK

Jump right in:

• The education system in the UK
• Daycare & kindergarten
• The school year & hours in the UK
• Differences between public & private schools
• International schools
• Higher education in the UK
• Language schools

As a parent in the UK, you need to know that schooling is compulsory for your kids from age 5 to 16.

School types vary; there are state-funded, private, religious, international, and special needs schools. Home schooling is also an option.

The national curriculum is divided into year groups known as “key stages” (KS), guiding students’ progress. Each stage covers specific years and ends with assessments to check learning:

KS 1 to 2 make up primary education. This is followed by secondary education, which lasts for five to seven years. Up until they’re 16 years old, students are legally required to attend a secondary school in the UK. This stage of compulsory education is called “lower secondary”.

At the end of this Key Stage 4, students sit their GCSE exams or other national tests.

Upon completing lower secondary, students may choose to start work or vocational training with the aim of getting their T-levels or BTECs. Or, they can go on to college or sixth form to prepare for A-levels and university.

In Scotland, education is not split into these key stages, but Primary (P1–7 for ages 5–12) and Secondary (S1–8 for ages 12–18) levels still apply.

GCSEs

After three years in secondary school, students sit the nationwide GCSE exams.

For their GCSEs, students usually get tested in English, math, and science. They also have to choose additional classes from the fields of arts, humanities, modern languages, technology, and vocational studies.

National Diploma

The National Diploma focus on practical training, work experience, and a vocational approach rather than academic studies. It can be taken in around 20 different subjects, such as engineering, IT, or creative and media.

The most well-known National Diplomas are those awarded by the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC).

Like A-levels, National Diplomas can be used to apply for university. Depending on a degree’s specific requirements, they may need to be paired with additional qualifications, though.

A-levels

Vocational training is growing in popularity, but A-levels are still the most common route to university.

Students prepare for their A-levels during Years 12 and 13 in school. In Year 12, most students study four subjects of their choice. One of them is completed at the end of that year as an AS level and dropped afterward. The other three subjects lead up to three full A-levels after Year 13. However, some students may choose to complete four A-levels, despite the extra workload.

Assessment for grading a student’s A-levels is based on coursework, written exams, and, if applicable, practical skill demonstrations (e.g., in art).

The selection and number of A-level courses may already influence a student’s success in applying for university. But no matter how impressed the admission office is with a candidate’s academic skills, they’ll only get a “conditional offer” for university course before they receive their final exam results.

As mentioned above, children usually start playschool (preschool or kindergarten) at around three years old. A first foundation year of school, also known as “senior kindergarten”, follows at age five.

Preschool isn’t mandatory, though, and there are other options for early years or preschool education, such as daycare, “nursery schools” (similar to kindergartens), childminders, and au-pairs.

To find available childcare facilities where you are, plus information on fees and educational approaches, get in touch with the Family Information Service (FIS) of your Local Council.

The school year starts in late summer and is typically divided into three terms:

The school year in Northern Ireland is closer to the timing of the Republic of Ireland, with school starting in September and closing for summer at the end of June.

Each term is typically split by a short one-week break in the middle. Local authorities, the governing body of a school, or the school itself (in the case of independent schools) decide on the specifics for terms and holidays. You can find specific school dates for your local area online.

School hours

The school day typically starts at around 08:00–09:00 and finishes at 15:00–16:00. The exact hours are determined by each school, but on average, a school day lasts 5–6 hours.

Optional, extra-curricular activities after (or even before) the official school day are common and range from sports and arts to academia (e.g., debating clubs) and even life skills.

In the UK, schools fall into two main categories:

• State schools that are funded by the government and provide free education to all children
• Private schools, also known as independent schools, which charge fees and operate independently of government funding

A common confusion is the term public school. In the UK, public schools are actually a specific group of historic, prestigious private boarding schools known for their high fees and elite status. Eton College is a famous example.

So public schools are not the same as state schools!

Types of UK state schools

State schools in the UK can be divided into the following categories:

Community schools follow the national curriculum and are not influenced by business or religious groups.

Foundation schools & faith schools are funded by local authorities but have a degree of freedom to change the way they operate. Faith schools, also referred to as voluntary aided or voluntary controlled, are supported by representatives from religious groups.

Academies & free schools are run by not-for-profit academy trusts and are independent from the local authority. They have more freedom to decide on how to operate and are allowed to follow a different curriculum.

Grammar schools can be run by the local authority, a foundation body, or an academy trust. They select their pupils based on academic ability, with students taking a test to get in.

The curriculum for any secondary state school includes all subjects taught in primary education. Students also have to learn at least one foreign language, take citizenship classes, and attend personal, social, and health education.

A number of state schools are specialist schools, with a specific focus on one or two areas of the curriculum. So, if your children are gifted in math and science, or if they have a special talent for music, it makes sense to choose their secondary school accordingly.

Specialist schools are not to be confused with special schools. The latter provide special needs education for children with learning difficulties and other disabilities. If you think that your child requires special needs education, you can contact the Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA) for help.

Are private schools better than state schools in the UK?

At private schools, students do not have to follow the national curriculum. Nevertheless, these schools must be registered with the government and submit to regular inspections. They tend to have better facilities, an ample range of extra-curricular activities, and teachers who often have higher qualifications and come from top universities. Classes are typically smaller, with more resources that means more attention to your child. But these benefits come with a hefty price tag.

State schools also have well-trained teachers and follow strict government standards regarding qualification requirements. However, they sometimes find it harder to attract and keep highly qualified teachers due bigger classes, heavier workloads, and fewer resources especially in less wealthy areas.

Before making your choice, consider your child’s need and ideally visit available schools to get a first-hand impression of what they can offer. You can also use resources like The Good School Guide or SchoolGuide.co.uk to compare different institutions.

In the UK, most international schools are concentrated in and around London — but there are alternatives across the country, too.

Since international schools provide similar standards of schooling around the world, they can be a particularly good option for foreigners moving to the UK for only a limited time.

Advantages of international schools

International schools belong to the category of independent schools in the UK. As such, they’re not required to follow the National Curriculum set by the Department of Education and offer different diplomas as well, especially the IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate (IB).

This is a big benefit, as the IB is accepted by many universities worldwide. The IB Diploma Program lasts two years and is aimed at students in their final years of secondary school, aged 16–19.

A second advantage is that the high number of international students at these schools means that staff understand the needs of foreign students.

Next to truly international schools, with their international curriculum and certificates, there are also schools that cater to students of particular nationalities, such as:

• The American School in London
• Hockerill Anglo-European College
• TASIS: The American School in England
• Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle
• Deutsche Schule London
• Instituto Español “Vicente Cañada Blanch”
• De Zeven Eiken
• De Regenboog School
• The Japanese School in London
• Svenska Skolan London
• Den Norske Skolen i London

So, what’s the disadvantages?

The price tag is a big one. Average tuition fees at international schools in the UK range from 15,000 GBP (~17,200 USD) a year for primary levels up to 40,000 GBP (45,800 USD) or more for sixth form.

Next to that, you may encounter long waitlists at popular international schools. So be sure to reach out early and enquire about the application process and expected wait times at the school of your choice.

There are many places to study in the UK, so read on to find out some of the best universities for international students, and get information on fees and different degrees you can opt for.

How much does it cost to study in the UK as an international student?

Higher education in the UK is expensive, but prices are relatively standard across the country.

Undergraduate students who qualify for “Home fee status”, i.e. UK and Irish citizens as well as individuals with an official “settled” status in the country, will not pay tuition fees higher than the amount capped by the government. For 2025/2026, this yearly maximum is 9,535 GBP (~12,850 USD) in England.

So-called oversees fees for all other students can be set by the respective education institution and as such tend to be much higher depending on the course and university.

According to Studyportals, international university students can expect to pay an annual fee of:

• 12,000–25,000 GBP for an undergraduate degree (~16–33k USD)
• 13,000–30,000 GBP for a master’s degree (~17.5–40.5k USD)

Specific courses like medicine, veterinary medicine, or an MBA can cost significantly more. The same is true for studies at top-tier universities.

The post-Brexit reality for EU students

Unless fully settled, students from the EU are no different than international students from other countries following Brexit.

They require a visa to study in the UK and can typically expect the same high tuition. Some universities have introduced so-called EU Transition Scholarships or lower fees for EU nationals, though, so be sure to do your research.

The good news: the UK will rejoin the Erasmus+ program from 2027 onwards.

An additional Youth Experience Scheme between the UK and the EU is still being finalized. Its aim is to make it simpler for young people to study or work in each others' countries for a limited period of time.

Undergraduate degrees in the UK

Undergraduate programs are usually taught as a combination of lectures, seminars, and small tutorial classes in several modules with varying topical cores. They mostly take three years to complete and lead to a bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education, or Bachelor of Engineering).

Scottish universities are an exception to higher education in the UK: unlike universities in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, they award bachelor’s degrees with full honors only after four years.

Graduate degrees in the UK

If you already have an undergraduate degree, either from a university in the UK or an accredited institution abroad, you can continue your studies in the same or a closely related field with a postgraduate master’s degree. These programs may take one year of additional study or two years of research.

Mature students (i.e., students over the age of 23) might also be interested in vocational degrees, such as the Certificate of Higher Education, the Diploma of Higher Education, or the Higher National Diploma.

Part-time courses, as well as long-distance degrees from the Open University, are also an option. They’re a good alternative to traditional higher education in the UK and may be of particular interest to those currently working or raising a family.

A master’s degree is the requirement for entry into a PhD course.

In contrast to the US, higher education in the UK doesn’t require an undergraduate degree if you want to go to med school or become a lawyer. Students of law and medicine can enter such courses immediately after completing their secondary education.

The best universities for international students in the UK

In the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, which covers over 2,000 institutions worldwide, these were the top five UK universities:

• University of Oxford (ranked 1st for the tenth year in a row)
• University of Cambridge (3rd)
• Imperial College, London (8th)
• UCL (22nd)
• University of Edinburgh (29th)

If you’re thinking of attend an English language school — or want to send your children to one — you’ll have over 400 schools and centers to choose from.

The key is to know what type of school you’re looking for, whether it’s for test preparation (IELTS, Cambridge, or TOEFL) or more informal classes (summer camps for children and teens, teacher training, etc.).

Resources like BBC Skillswise are mostly geared towards people who’d like to improve their knowledge of standard written English.

And there are many free and paid apps and online services out there that can support you in your learning (e.g., Duolingo, Lingoda, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone).

However, if you’d like to have a classroom setting to support you, English in Britain is a comprehensive database. It lists plenty of schools and courses for EFL (English as a Foreign Language) across the UK.

There are also many resources available for adult education when it comes to foreign language learning. Community centers run by your Local Council often offer affordable evening classes among their leisure activities.

If you feel more confident about studying on your own, the online courses of Learn Direct or the Open University could be a better fit. Or you can look into enrolling as a mature student at regular universities in the UK.