Secondary education in the UK
The British secondary system prepares students for university early and along a very defined academic line. There are two main stages:
- GCSE (ages 14–16). A broad set of subjects builds the foundation.
- A Level (ages 16–18). Students narrow to three or four subjects. University offers rest largely on these grades.
Some colleges offer the IB (International Baccalaureate) instead of A Levels. It requires a broader spread of subjects and is widely recognised internationally.
Boarding or day college?
Boarding schools bring academic supervision, social life and pastoral care together on one campus. For students arriving from abroad, this is usually the safest starting point.
Day colleges are more flexible and often more affordable, but accommodation and travel need to be planned separately.
The process
- We build a school list based on the student’s academic profile and interests.
- We prepare for each school’s own entrance exams and interviews.
- After acceptance we arrange accommodation, guardianship and the visa process.
Students under 18 need a legal guardian in the UK. We organise this on your behalf.