Admission to the university

EXAMS AND CERTIFICATES

WHAT SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLDS DO

1. 27 % Youth-Training schemes

2. 25 % State schools

3. 14 % Further education including sixth-form colleges

4. 12 % Unemployed

5. 10 % Full-time employment

6. 6 % Independent schools

7. 5 % Part-time education in employment (further-education courses)

Besides 3 standard assessment tests (at the age of 7, 11,14) two public examinations are set: GCSE exam on completion of the compulsory education (at the age of 16) and GCE A level or AS exams on completion of the two voluntary years («sixth form»).

At the age of 16 pupils take the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), introduced in 1989. They must take English Language, Maths and Science for GCSE, as well as a half GCSE in a foreign language and Technology.

About 45 % of school-leavers continue with full-time education after 16. Those pupils who stay on for two more years usually take A (Advanced) levels, AS (Advanced Supplementary) levels or GNVQs (Greater National Vocational Qualifications). It is quite common to combine two A levels with one AS level, or one A level with one GNVQ. Pupils taking A levels study traditional subjects such as French, Physics or History. To go to university pupils need two or three A levels.

AS levels are the same standard as A level, but only half the content. For example, AS level German pupils take the A level German Language exam, but do not take the A level German Literature exam.

GNVQs are vocational qualifications. Pupils usually take one GNVQ in subjects such as Business, Leisure and Tourism, Manufacturing, Art and Design. One GNVQ at advanced level is equal to two A levels. Scotland, with a separate education tradition, has a slightly different system. Children stay in the primary school until the age of 12. The National Curriculum does not apply in Scotland and each school director decides what subjects the school will teach. At the age of 16 pupils take the Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE) and instead of A levels, take the Scottish Higher Certificate which is more like continental European examinations, since it covers a wider area of study than the highly specialised A level courses. Scots pupils may take the Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (CSYS).

Secondary education in Northern Ireland is organised along selective lines according to children's abilities.

Every university admits each year a definite number of students for each of its courses. Applications are made to the UCCA (Universities Central Council for Admission) months before a student takes his A levels. He completes a form writing down the names of six universities in order of preference. He may put down only two or three names, thus stating that if not accepted by these universities he could be willing to go to any other.

The copies of the form are sent to the universities concerned and the university board or department members consider the student's form, the account of his out-of-school activities, the references one of which must be from the headteacher of his school. If there are no reasons for immediate refusal the students may be given a personal interview. On the basis of all this he may be sent a definite rejection or made a conditional offer. The offer depends on A level results. If the candidate fulfils the conditions of the university he receives a definite offer. The candidate must accept or refuse the offer within 72 hours. Some candidates may get offers from several universities. Generally applicants for university places exceed the number of places available, so entry to the universities is competitive. The more popular the university, the more applicants for a place it will have and the higher grades it will ask for.

Дата добавления: 2015-05-26