Higher education in scotland. Features of admission to Scotland. Study English in Scotland: Basic Programs

Scots consider their education (both secondary and higher) better than English and strive to necessarily stand out against the background of the general British system. Differences appear in elementary school. Children in Scottish schools do not go to six years old, but seven and move to high school at the age of 12.

From 5 to 12 years old, children attend primary school ( primary schoolAt the age of 12, they transfer to secondary school ( secondary school). At the age of 15, schoolchildren take exams for a general certificate of secondary education Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE Standard Grade)corresponding to English GCSE. After that, the student can either go to a college of further education, or continue his studies at school to obtain a higher degree certificate (Higher Grade). To do this, you need to study from 16 to 18 years old and pass exams in 5 or 6 subjects. This certificate is enough to enter universities.

To study in other parts of the United Kingdom or get into one of the top universities, you must complete the so-called "sixth year" of school and receive a certificate Scottish Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (SCSYS), which is equivalent to a UK-wide diploma GCE A-level... Now, instead of the SCSYS certificate, graduates are issued a certificate Advanced Higher... It generally complies A-level - Higher and Advanced Higher certificates are recognized by all UK universities.

Some schools provide the opportunity to take exams directly to obtain an English A-level. Most schools for older children

There are 43 colleges in Scotland for special or further education (similar to Russian technical schools). They offer academic and professional qualifications in most subjects, from entry level to level higher education diploma... In colleges, you can get a specialty in the following areas: information technology, business fundamentals, electronics, engineering, sports, tourism, interior and exterior design, healthcare, media, finance. After a year of full-time study here you can get Higher National Certificate, and students who have completed two years become the owners Higher Education Diploma.

An alternative to college education can be preparatory programs Foundation... There is also a single Scottish International Preparatory Program SIFP, the successful completion of which gives graduates the opportunity to enroll in almost any university in Scotland.

The usual length of study at a university is bachelor degree - 4 years. The last year gives students the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor's degree with Honors. The first two years they study a wide range of basic subjects, and then two more years are devoted to special disciplines in the chosen profile.

Basic courseat the Scottish University (undergraduate) lasts 4 years. Curriculum flexibility is inherent in local universities. Students have the opportunity to study a wide variety of disciplines, even if they are taught in different faculties. Graduates can be awarded double degrees (joint degrees), for example, in accounting and economics. Some educational institutions offer so-called (sandwich courses) aimed at gaining practical experience while studying.

Entry Requirements for Scotland Universities

Entry requirements are quite high. Typically the baseline for applicants is 550 TOEFL or 5.5 points on IELTS... Some university departments require a score of 600 or 6. And the medical and law faculties require at least 7 points. The most reliable way to enter a Scottish university is to study for the final two years in a Scottish school or college, to complete the program Foundation Course... In these courses, international students are prepared to obtain a Scottish high school diploma. At the end of the program, students pass the state exams required for admission to universities.

The procedure for admission to Scottish higher education institutions is no different from admission to English institutions and is carried out through a nationwide service UCAS... The procedure for admission and paperwork should be started as early as possible: 1-2 years before the start of training. Time will allow you to do it right choose university, really assess your capabilities, prepare and pass all entrance exams on time ..

In order to enter a Scottish university, you need not only good, but very good knowledge english... We recommend that you improve your language at courses in Scotland itself. Many language centers are part of the Scottish Consortium for the Teaching of English ( SELTIC), which controls the quality of teaching. Local schools offer a variety of options from General English to Super Intensive, exam preparation and university admissions.

The system of admission to higher education institutions in Scotland as a basic course ( undergraduate), and for those wishing to narrowly specialize in a particular field of knowledge (postgraduate), is as flexible as the entire system of higher education. Structure of education allows students to receive a grading system that is credited to them when moving from one educational institution to another. If a student wants to change the faculty or university, then the marks are counted in accordance with the conditions of the chosen educational institution.

Postgraduate education (postgraduate) available to all who have graduated from recognized educational institutions around the world. Scottish universities have an intensive one-year Master's degree program and a three-year Advanced Doctor's degree program.

Scotland is a country of ancient traditions and the latest scientific and technical achievements. Studying here is prestigious and promising!

The 2nd largest administrative and political unit of the United Kingdom.
When you come to study courses in Scotland, you will immediately notice its isolation. It has its own church, legal system and parliament.
Scotland includes about 800 islands.
The symbol of the state is the unicorn, which expresses the spirituality and moral purity of local residents.
The shortest flight in the world operates between the two islands of the country; it lasts an average of 74 seconds.
Studying English courses in Scotland for Russians, you will notice the number of red-haired local residents. There are 14% of them in the country.

Benefits of studying in Scotland

Favorable prices. The cost of courses in Scotland for foreigners is lower than classes in England or the USA, while the level of education is very high.
Entertainment all year round. About 350 festivals, beach holidays, world-famous clubs and restaurants, museums and castles - you can easily find something to do in this country.
Well-established educational process. Unlike London and other famous British cities, education is not so popular in Scotland. In this regard, you are guaranteed small groups, personal attention and a minimum number of Russian speakers in the class.

English courses in Scotland: study programs

Vacation. These courses are convenient for schoolchildren and students. You can come for summer, winter, spring or autumn vacations and have a good time of relaxation.
Preparation for exams. This program is intended for those who plan to enter European universities.
Standard courses. A program that will help you quickly start speaking and writing in English.
Intense. Designed for those who are ready to actively work on the development of language skills and want to prepare for the delivery of the language text in a shorter time.
Business courses. A program for those who use English in the professional field.
Language and hobbies. This program combines not only language classes, but also art, history, sports.

The Scottish education system includes preschool, general secondary, vocational and tertiary education.

Preschool education

There are no usual kindergartens in Scotland. However, there are preparatory classes (pre-school), an analogue of our kindergartens, which are attended by children from 4 years old, and where they are taught drawing, singing, dancing, the basics of mathematics, reading and spelling.

General secondary education

From 5 to 12 years old, children attend primary school. Children's knowledge is tested using tests in reading, writing and math. Grades range from A (the highest score, an analogue of our five) to E. At the age of 12, students move to secondary school. At the age of 15, students take the Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE Standard Grade) exams for the general certificate of secondary education, corresponding to the English GCSE. After that, the student can either go to a college of further education, or continue his studies at school in order to obtain a higher grade certificate (Higher Grade). To do this, you need to study from 16 to 18 years old and pass exams in 5 or 6 subjects. This certificate is enough to enter the Scottish universities.

To study in other parts of the United Kingdom or to get into one of the top universities in Scotland, you need to complete the so-called "sixth year" of school and receive the Scottish Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (SCSYS), which is equivalent to the UK-wide GCE A-level. Now, instead of the SCSYS certificate, graduates are issued the Advanced Higher certificate. It generally corresponds to the A-level. Higher and Advanced Higher certificates are recognized by all UK universities.

Special vocational education

Special vocational education in Scotland can be obtained after leaving school at the age of 16. Today in Scotland there are 43 colleges for special or further education (analogous to Russian technical schools). In colleges, you can get a specialty in the following areas: information technology, studying the basics of business, electronics, design, sports, tourism, interior and exterior design, healthcare, media, finance. After a year of full-time study, you can get a Higher National Certificate here, and students who have completed two years become holders of a Higher Education Diploma.

Higher education

An alternative to continuing education colleges is Foundation preparatory programs. There is also a single Scottish International Preparatory Program SIFP, the successful completion of which gives graduates the opportunity to enroll in almost any university in Scotland.

The procedure for admission to Scottish higher education institutions is no different from admission to English educational institutions and is carried out through the nationwide service UCAS. The procedure for admission and registration of documents must be started as early as possible - 1-2 years before the date of admission. The time reserve will allow you to choose the right university, realistically assess your capabilities, prepare and pass all the exams on time.

The basic course of higher education at a Scottish university (undergraduate) lasts 4 years. Upon completion of training, a bachelor's degree is awarded. The last year of study gives students the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor with Honors degree.

The first two years, students study a wide range of basic subjects, and then another two years they devote to special disciplines in their chosen profile. Scottish universities have a flexible curriculum. Students have the opportunity to study a wide variety of disciplines, even if they are taught in different faculties.

Graduates can be awarded double degrees (joint degrees), for example, in accounting and economics. Some schools in Scotland offer so-called (sandwich courses), which give students the opportunity to gain practical experience during their studies.

Postgraduate education (postgraduate) is available to all who have graduated from recognized educational institutions around the world. Scottish universities have an intensive one-year master's degree program and a three-year advanced doctoral program.

The entire system of Scottish education can be described as flexible, because from an early age a child has a choice in everything related to the number of years to acquire knowledge, study disciplines and specialties, directions, etc. There are a myriad of secondary and higher institutions in the country, where they receive high-quality knowledge and a European-level certification document, which is welcomed by most employers. The system can be classified into several mandatory steps:

Preschool preparation (with the development of basic school knowledge)
Junior school, where students will spend 7 years of their childhood
Secondary educational institution - a school where you can earn money, subject to the successful completion of the course, a certificate for admission to specialized educational institutions
Secondary general education school with in-depth preparation for Higher (exam delivery required for admission to universities)
A specialized institution that gives students excellent profile education and the possibility of future admission to a huge number of local higher educational institutions
Higher educational institutions in which subjects are taught in all areas of science
Postgraduate education, where you can improve your qualifications and deepen your subject knowledge

We will talk about all the many steps and variations of study in Scotland below.

Preschool education in Scotland

There is no kindergarten, in the standard sense, in this state. But there are preparatory courses where kids are taught perseverance and basic knowledge in various sciences and manifestations of creative activity. Attend such establishments from 3 to 5 years old.

Primary and secondary education

It takes 7 years for pupils to start primary school in Scotland (schoolchildren age from 5 to 12), which is unusual for Russians. The system of marks here is similar to the Russian one, only the designation is not digital, but alphabetic (A-5, E-1). Knowledge control is carried out using tests for knowledge of basic sciences for elementary grades. At 11-12 years old, schoolchildren move to secondary school, where they have to unlearn from 4 to 6 years. The first four years are the minimum required for everyone. It is at this time that it is necessary to pass examination tests, after which certificates of secondary education are issued. 15-year-old students are divided into two groups - those who have chosen a specialized education, and those who need to pass the Higher exam tasks for admission to universities.

From 16 to 18 years old, schoolchildren "absorb" the knowledge that will be useful for successfully passing 5-6 exam papers and receiving the long-awaited and honorary "higher certificate" - it will be required for admission to Scottish Higher Educational Institutions. Upon completion of the so-called “sixth year”, an attestation document is issued, which is favorably viewed by all higher education institutions in the United Kingdom.

Private schools

Secondary general education in Scotland for citizens of the country is free (sponsored by the Department and numerous educational councils). But there are a number of non-state schools in which both local residents and foreigners can study intensive general education methods. Such institutions include the Edinburgh School for Boys and the School. St. George, which accepts only girls within its walls. The distinctive features of these educational institutions include:

A rich subject study program
Development and intensive realization of creative potential in children
Almost round-the-clock daily employment, including a variety of sightseeing and thematic excursions, numerous circles, classes, courses
Personal education, which in the future becomes a powerful basis for the characters of students

Free time from study, schoolchildren here are occupied with self-improvement in various fields. General educational and creative circles, sports sections - all classes are conducted to maximize the potential and abilities of each student.

Holiday education for children and adolescents in Scotland

Two schools (named after Mary Erskine and named after St. Leonard) provide a vacation educational and entertainment course for children. Terms of stay - from two seven days to a whole month. During this time, schoolchildren will have a schedule full of excursions and interesting activities. During the rest, children get acquainted with the culture and sights of picturesque Scotland, study English in depth, communicate with their peers. At the end of the study of the program, the final test tests are always carried out, after the successful completion of which a certification document is issued. The cost of studying in Scotland for this program depends on the type and length of residence in the country and ranges from 200 to 500 thousand rubles per month. There is a unique chance of your child settling into a family or residence.

Professional education

There are 43 specialized institutions successfully functioning in the state, many of which cooperate with universities. This means that each student, if desired, can continue to receive already specialized education already in Higher Educational Institutions - Universities after receiving special college education, and he will have a shortened course (admission immediately to the 2nd or even 3rd year of study). The education system in Scotland is similar to the Russian one (in colleges) - you can choose one of the many directions and study it intensively for several years. After the first year of study, the Higher National Certificate is issued, and after the second - a diploma. The requirements in Scottish educational institutions for students are high, which is why the documents issued by them are appreciated by employers in well-known companies around the world.

Higher education in Scotland

Further study programs after high school or college in Scotland are flexible, i.e. there is a possibility of choosing the form of training and courses (even individual programs are drawn up). Basic training takes 4 years, after which the student is awarded a bachelor's degree. The next year is spent on obtaining an honors bachelor's degree. By the way, some universities provide for an industrial form of training, which involves intensive practice, which is especially appreciated by many employers as a kind of work experience.

The student body in Scotland is multinational. Most of the students here are locals, as well as visitors from the UK, but there are also many foreigners (about 10-15%). Admission conditions for foreign citizens are democratic - diplomas from colleges and schools are quite often accepted as part of the entrance documents. International students need to take Foundation or A-Level courses - these programs are offered by most colleges. Some universities are also ready to provide their own training courses, but further admission to this institution is often a prerequisite.

Higher education programs are always paid, both for citizens of Scotland and for foreigners. Some universities offer local residents to take an educational course on deferred payment, i.e. the student will pay for his studies after graduation if his salary is above 21 thousand pounds (per year). If the bachelor's salary is lower, then you will not have to pay for studies. By this the Universities emphasize their "status" and the quality of education (after all, this is what the largest companies value).

Postgraduate education

In Scotland, there is an opportunity to take an intensive course for raising a Master's degree in a year - this is an excellent solution for urgent improvement of qualifications. For those wishing to acquire in-depth knowledge, a three-year course is offered, at the end of which a doctoral degree is awarded.

Great Britain is the best place to learn English. And Scotland is one of the best options. Studying English in Scotland requires constant communication with native speakers. These are both teachers and local residents. The schools offer quality programs for those looking to move to this country or want to study. Studying a language in Scotland is one of the most effective options.

English courses in Scotland will help to understand English even for those who do not know it at all, there are special programs for beginners. You do not have to worry about understanding the information, because Russian-speaking teachers can help in this.

Learning a language in Scotland involves familiarization with the classic version of British English. This means that your pronunciation will be clear and correct. English courses in Scotland will help you to be more successful in work, study, and also improve your speech when communicating with foreigners. The only thing you need to take care of is obtaining a visa and choosing a school with the desired program. And with this you will be helped inLogosStudyGroup!

English language training in Scotland is carried out according to specially developed programs and time-tested methods. There are directions with different intensity and duration. The main ones are:

English for beginners (Beginners ). The program allows you to learn English from scratch, even if the language practice is completely absent.
Business course. You can learn English in Scotland on your own, when at work you constantly need to deal with foreign partners and documentation in English. You can send a whole group of employees for advanced training.
Exam preparation program. The School of English in Scotland helps prepare applicants for the entrance exams. The tasks for the test are being worked outIELTS if you want to study in the UK, USA, Canada and other countries. The programs are also good for students.
Intensive English. Intensive language courses in Scotland are an opportunity to quickly “improve” in English, start speaking more confidently, and gain a lot of knowledge.

School of English in Scotland will be useful not only for those who learn the basics of the language. Russian teachers also often need such courses. This is a worthy professional development, upon completion of training a certificate is issued. It is especially useful for private teachers. When studying English in Scotland, you can adopt many effective methods that will be practiced when teaching Russian students.

Choosing the right school

Choosing a School is difficult. You can learn a language in Scotland anywhere. Decent options are available in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Sterling and other cities. CompanyLogosStudyGroup for a long time provides an opportunity to easily go to a good school. We know all the subtleties and will help with paperwork. We give advice and select the best option.

How much do the courses cost? It all depends on the specific school and program. For those looking to study English in Scotland, the cost of a 2 week course will be around £ 600. The price is also influenced by the included (if possible) meals and accommodation.

Do you want to know English at a more advanced level? It is better to do this in the UK, in his homeland. And Scotland is a great choice!