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Studying in the UK is prestigious – this is an indisputable fact. For more than a century, schools and universities in the country have been chosen by many people in the world. British educational institutions provide a high level of academic knowledge. Another advantage of studying in the UK is the ability to learn English to the level of fluency in it.

Today is a huge range of offers from boarding schools. Choosing an educational institution is not easy. We recommend starting the selection of an institution two years before the expected admission. This time is enough for a qualitative analysis of proposals.

The choice of school is a rather individual question. Usually, parents consider the first hundred in the ranking of private educational institutions of the corresponding level. But when choosing a school, it is important to assess the situation comprehensively. The most important thing is that the educational institution must correspond to the inclinations and abilities of the child.

Most parents planning a study abroad for their child are concerned with a number of typical questions. You will find answers to the most common of them in this material.

What criteria do you use when selecting schools?

There can be many criteria. Some are individual. But most of them are considered by every parent. These criteria include:

When choosing a school, find out the focus of the extracurricular activities to determine how they are suitable for your child;

What is the best age to send a child to school?

Educators advise starting studying as early as possible. British private schools (not all, but many) accept foreigners at the initial stage of education from the age of 7. In this case, the child is fully adapted to the transition to the middle level, fluent in English. Accordingly, he or she can concentrate as much as possible on obtaining academic knowledge.

For those who leave the primary classes behind, it is recommended to start their studies in the UK at the age of 11-13. At this age, children are usually determined with educational preferences (humanitarian direction, natural, exact sciences). Accordingly, it will be easier to choose the profile of the institution. Parents of a child of 11-13 years old should send him/her on vacation to England. Many schools organize summer language courses for their prospective students. This will speed up the process of adaptation to school life later.

What are school enrollment requirements?

To register as an applicant, you need a student’s certificate, recommendations of teachers (necessarily – a class teacher, a teacher of mathematics and English). You can also attach to the documents the existing diplomas, certificates, diplomas received during the child’s extracurricular activities, either in sports or in creativity. All documents must be translated into English. Their consideration is paid in the amount of 100-150 pounds. This contribution is non-refundable.

Enrollment in a boarding school is carried out on the basis of a valid student certificate, recommendations of your country’s educational institution, testing, an interview (sometimes), which is carried out on Skype or in person. British students take a standardized test on admission. In some cases, foreigners are admitted based on the results of special exams. The conditions for enrollment in private institutions can vary significantly. Therefore, the specific requirements must be found out at the educational institution where the child enters.

An important factor is the level of language knowledge. But it does not play a decisive role. If the level of English proficiency is insufficient, special training can be taken. Such services are offered by almost all educational institutions in Britain.

What are the guarantees for the education quality in the UK?

The level of academic preparation of students, their living conditions, opportunities for development are carefully monitored by specialized reputable organizations including the British Border Guard, the police, etc.

How much does it cost to study in the UK?

Many parents put this question first. Of course, studying abroad is not a cheap pleasure. In England, its cost ranges from £ 25,000-40,000 per year, including accommodation. Payment is made either in full or by term. This amount is added to the payment for the services of the guardian (it does not matter if the child lives in a family or a boarding house), travel for the holidays home, telephone, pocket expenses. Guardianship is usually handled by specialized agencies.

The scholarship will partially reduce the cost of studying. Many private schools provide such incentives for talented students.

What educational programs are offered to schoolchildren?

The first and obligatory one is GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). The certificate is issued to students based on the results of exams. Children receive it at the age of 16. The certificate includes grades in 8-12 subjects. Some of them are compulsory, and some are determined by the student’s choice. The certificate does not give the right to enter the university.

After GCSE, those wishing to continue their studies at a British university are offered a two-year A-level training program. Also, children have the opportunity to get professional education in colleges.

The A-level program allows students to acquire the necessary knowledge in specialized subjects (necessary for admission to the chosen university). 4 disciplines are compulsory for study. Their focus can be a natural science, humanitarian. The studying lasts 2 years or 18 months according to the accelerated program.

After the A-level, applicants enter the university through a certificate competition.

In general, choosing an educational institution in the UK is not as difficult as it might seem. It is important to take into account the relevant criteria, to clearly understand the further specialization of the child. That is, the direction of study will have to be determined in the middle grades. At the same time, it is recommended to choose universities of interest for the future. This will help to competently approach school education.

It is also important to prepare your child to study in England. Boarding schools (for the most part) are highly disciplined. Violation of the rules of conduct is severely punished here. In British institutions, children cannot wear expensive accessories or to use mobile devices during school hours. Unauthorized absences are inadmissible. There is a strict ban on smoking and alcohol. When the child is expelled, the payment is not refundable. Penalties may apply if a child is transferred to another school without notice. Therefore, it is important to study not only its academic component but also the features of student life before making the final choice in favor of an educational institution.

What is the best UK boarding school?

GCSE 2021 UK Boarding Schools Ranking: