What do people in the UK have to do to get into college/university?

[tf_arl_90]

It seems to be very different here in the US than from what I heart/read from my buddies over in the UK. They've explained it a few times, but I'm still a little lost.

Generally speaking, over here students are in high school until the year they turn 18 in 12th grade. 11th grade and the beginning of 12th is spent mostly looking at colleges and universities. Usually by the midway point/three-quarter point in a high school student's last year, he/she will already be accepted into college and know where they're going.

Anyway, for private universities, aside from decent grades in HS and lots of money, most colleges require a nationwide standardized test score. This is usually from a test such as the SAT or ACT. Several application and registration forms need to be completed. College essays need to be written. Teacher recommendations are required. Participation in extra curricular activities helps big time since it looks good to be involved in stuff outside of in school studies.

I think that's about it. I might be forgetting something. But anyway, does my description more or less match the requirements for getting accepted into a college/university in the UK?

What's this GCSE business? And A-levels? Inform me!

[Bob!]

GCSEs are the grades you obtain from School, which you finish at 16, (Unless ya decide to continue on till 18 and do A-levels, which are basically expansions of these, but more subject based in what ya want to do)

To get into college/Uni it really depends on the course ya going for, different courses at different levels require different qualifications, some require none, some require maths and english at Grade C (Average on a scale of A-G at GCSE) or higher.

I'm basically moving up the chain, I did my GCSEs at school, (and also an IT course that was the equivelent of 4 GCSE grade passes on its own) and then moved onto a course at college for two years which was basically an expansion of this, similar stuff but at higher level, this required so many GCSEs to get onto, or a pass at the IT course I did while at school. (I got both) then I completed the course at college and received a qualification equivelent to two A-levels at B grade.

This then enabled me to continue on to the two year college course I'm on now which will give me (hopefully) a pass at Higher National Diploma level, enabling me to go to university for one more year to top this up to Degree status.

Each one of these courses required either a pass in a qualifcation at the lower level, or a requirement of a certain amount of GCSE grades or other qualifications, this enabled me to carry on progressing to higher and higher levels, attaining higher and more recognised qualifications each time, these will then hopefully one day allow me to get a good well paid job.

But as I said, its different for each college or university, it depends on the standard of qualifications/experience the university itself requires, and the course you are applying for.

[Chris]

It also should be noted that in the UK College and University are two different things, College is where you go after leaving shcool at 16 (this is optional) and then Univeristy is where you go after College (also optional, obviously). I think the thing that confuses Americans is that in the US College and University are the same thing.

[tf_arl_90]

Thanks guys. :)


It also should be noted that in the UK College and University are two different things,

Yup. Definitely confused me when I first heard of it.