EducationUK Guidance Counsellor Handbook_US version 2014-2015 Handbook: USA Version | Page 8

8 College and University Guidance Counselor Handbook Advertisement College and University Guidance Counselor Handbook Education system chart The charts below show the progression through the UK education system. The ages that you see on these charts are indicative of the age a student would be if they took the standard route through all schooling and chose not to take a gap year or return to higher education as an adult. England, Wales and Northern Ireland Years Age Qualification Years 10-11 14 – 16 General Certificate in Secondary Education (GCSE) in typically 5-10 subjects Year 12 - 14 16 - 18 General Certificate of Education Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS Level) in typically 3 – 5 subjects Years 14 - 16 18 – 21 Undergraduate degree (Bachelors) Year 17+ Age 21+ Postgraduate degrees (Masters / Doctorates) Years Age Qualification Years S3–S4 13 – 16 Scottish national qualifications 1-5 Year S5–S6 16 - 18 Scottish higher qualifications Years 14-16 18 – 22 Undergraduate degree (Bachelors) Year 17+ 21+ Postgraduate degrees (Masters / Doctorates) Scotland 9