UK education system has evolved over the centuries and is now subject to strict quality standards. Education in the UK is compulsory for all citizens aged from 5 to 16 years. There are two sectors of education: public (free education) and private (fee-paying schools, private schools). In the UK, there are two systems of education, which are easy to get along with one in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the second - in Scotland.

In the UK there is a huge variety of schools. The various directories on the internet, magazine and newspaper articles may use different criteria to classify schools. Common type of school in the UK - is boarding school (Boarding School), where students are taught how to, and live at the school. The first boarding school appeared in Britain in the early Middle Ages, mainly in monasteries. In the XII century, the Pope ordered all Benedictine monasteries open charity school at monasteries. A little later for training in these schools began to take charge. While aristocratic families preferred convent school home schooling, over time there is a belief that adolescents, regardless of social background useful to learn together with their peers.

School full cycle - where children of all ages from 2 to 18 years. Pre-school education - also known as nurseries and kindergartens for children aged 2 to 7 years. Establishment for younger students (Junior Schools) - for children aged 7 to 13 years. Primary schools - pupils from the age of 4 to 11 years. Establishment for older students (Senior Schools) - for ages 13 to 18 years. Secondary school - education for children under the age of 11 years. Grammar school - education for children between the ages of 11 years, in-depth program. In these schools can receive training to university (Sixth Form). Training school to university (Sixth Form) - for older teens

Pre-school education is available in both the public and private educational institutions. Parents often send their children to the nursery at the age of 3-4 years.

Private schools in the preparation (or initial) classes take children from 5 years. Foreign students come to school at age 7, and at age years immediately transferred to the middle classes of the same private school.

Most British children enter public elementary school at the age of 5 years, and then in 11 years, goes to the class of secondary education at the same school, or going into college.

Secondary education in England for children under 16 years of age is required. All public and private schools teach children from 11 to 16 years and prepare them to receive GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) - General Certificate of Secondary Education, or GNVQ (General National Vocational Qualification) - National Vocational Qualifications. Most foreign students come to UK secondary schools (usually in private boarding schools), aged years. Forming a creative, self- confident, independent man - one of the main objectives of British schools. Children are a special general cycle training on various subjects, which ends exam Common Entrance Examination. Successful completion of the exam - a prerequisite of admission to high school. From 14 to 16 students purposefully prepare for exams (usually subjects) at the Certificate of Secondary Education - General Certificate of Secondary Education.

In the 16 years after the end of compulsory education cycle, students can either leave school and start work or continue their education in order to go to university. Those who wish to enter the university offers two-year A-levels. After the first year take exams AS, but after the second - A2-levels. The first year of training involves compulsory study subjects 4.5, the second 3-4. Mandatory items needed for delivery, no - all items individually student looking for a proposed school of 15-20, thus determining their specialization, which will focus on the next 5-6 years at the University. Often foreign students coming to study in the UK, starting their education with A-levels.

After passing two years of A-levels, students can either vocational or higher education. Vocational Education (Further education - FE) includes training courses and some courses for higher education (bachelor's degree). The term "vocational education" is used to designate courses for those who left school at the age of 16 years. In the UK there are more than 600 public and private colleges of further education. These schools offer a variety of training programs, including English language training to general certificate of secondary education and A-levels, vocational courses. Higher education (Higher education - HE) includes programs for undergraduate degrees, post-graduate programs (Master's, Doctorate) and MBA. The term "higher education" means education in universities, colleges and institutes that offer the doctoral or PhD degree.

Higher education is paid and for its citizens and foreigners. For the latter - more expensive. Students nationals studying in debt that start to give only after graduation and employment to the minimum wage of $ 21 thousand a year. If not, return the debt is not necessary. Recently in parliament more MPs are inclined to believe that increase the cost of education. Such initiatives are not popular among students

According to the international study of secondary education, the United Kingdom over the last 10 years ( ) Shows a negative trend with regard to the quality of the graduates of the schools. For example, in 2000, according to the monitoring of education quality evaluation in school PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development), the UK is ranked 7th out of 32 countries, and in already 24 of 65. For the UK higher education has traditionally been 2 or 3 position in the international rankings of universities