Next to finding your new home in the UK, your child’s schooling is the next top priority. If you are unsure where to start, it might be best to consult with a relocation expert who will not only provide expert advice, but also ensure that you have the details covered—from tuition fees to application forms.

Education in the UK is mandated by law if you are between the ages of five and 18.  If you are travelling with a little one younger than that, then you may consider employing the services of an in-house nanny or a pre-school .

The grading system in the UK is a little different from the US but there are many similarities.

Secondary School Grading:

• A means excellent/outstanding
• B is above average
• C means average
• D and E is below average
• F denotes a failure

For undergraduate and graduate courses, a numerical system is used:

• 1st class (a first class honours) – 70% or higher, is considered a Distinction
• 2:1 (a second class honours upper division) – 60%-69% is a Merit
• 2:2 (a second class honours lower division) – 50%-59% is a Pass
• 3rd – 40%-49%
• Below 40% represents a Fail

The school year in the UK is divided into six terms; although some schools just follow three.

• September to October
• October to December
• January to February
• February to March
• April to May
• June to July

There are one to two-week holiday periods throughout:

Two-week holiday periods

• Christmas – two weeks
• Spring – two weeks
• Summer – up to six weeks

One-week holiday periods:

• End of October
• Mid-February
• End of May

Schools are mandated to open for 190 days but the schools hours vary per institution. A typical institution would open at 8 am and finish by 3 pm.

The terms public and private school may mean different thigs in the UK. While the definition state-funded for public schools is also accurate in the UK, the oldest and most expensive boarding schools are likewise called public schools. Take the Eton school for example, where most Royals go for secondary school.

To avoid confusion, do refer to the list below of the kinds of state-funded educational institutions:

• Community schools follow the national curriculum and do not offer religious courses
• Foundation schools and voluntary schools are funded locally but may choose how they operate
• Academies and free school are run by non-profit trusts and operate separately from local authorities
• Grammar schools is a generic term for schools that choose students based on their academic ability, they may be run by the government, or a trust

Private schools on the other hand are called independent schools. They charge tuition fees and are not funded by the government.

Playschool starts when your child is three years old and progresses to senior kindergarten at five. There are many options available for your little one at the Daycare Trust. Most, if not all three-year old children have a legal right to 15 hours of free education per week or a total of 38 weeks annually. In Ireland, it is for a whole year.

For additional support, your employer may offer childcare vouchers. Do ensure that these are of the same value as your Working Tax Credits as you cannot have both. A Working Tax Credit is around 2,010 GBP per year. You and your partner must work at least 16 hours per week. To read up on additional entitlements please click here: benefits adviser.

State schools begin in September and culminate in July. They are funded by the government and are mandated to follow the national curriculum. If you follow the National Curriculum, every child between 5 and 11 must be in school. Regular school hours are from 8 to 9 in the morning and end at 3 and 4 in the afternoon.

High school , sixth form, and college make up secondary education in the UK and ranges from five to seven years. It is for Children between the ages of 12 to 16 years old. After secondary education, students have the option to either start working, take up a vocational course or prepare for university.

National Diploma

Students are officially assessed after three years in secondary school. They have to take exams in English, Math, and Science as well as Arts, Humanities, Technology and Vocational Studies.

The new National Diploma of UK focuses on practical training and a vocational approach rather than academic studies.

An option for British Students is to take an A-level exam instead of a secondary school diploma before

entering University or College.  An A-level is typically taken during the 12^th and 13^th year in upper secondary school.

International School

Many expats prefer to enroll their children in international schools for good reason- the International Baccalaureate. It is a prized diploma because most universities around the globe recognize it as a prerequisite for enrollment. If your child is jet-setting like yourself and between the ages of 16 and 19, then this would be the best option for them. International schools vary in range in the UK, but the average tuition cost is 20,000 GBP (23,500 USD) a year. The Dwight school in London though, offers tuition between 2,750 and 5,670 GBP per year. Here’s a list of International Schools that you can choose from but do feel free to click here for the international school search if you want a full list.

• The American School in London
• Hockerill Anglo-European College
• TASIS: The American School in England
• Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle
• Deutsche Schule London
• Instituto Español “Vicente Cañada Blanch”
• De Zeven Eiken
• De Regenboog School
• The Japanese School in London
• Svenska Skolan London
• Den Norske Skolen i London

While studying in the UK can be expensive, taking up law or medicine doesn’t require a Bachelor’s degree- not only does that save you time but money as well. Here is a list of fees specifically for foreign students:

• Undergraduate students under the Home Fee Status (UK and EU citizens) will pay a maximum of 9,250 GBP (11, 500 USD) for 2020 and 2021
• Fees of students from outside the UK and EU depend on their course of study:
• International university students pay 12,000 GBP per year on the average
• Medicine or Veterinary Medicine is around 53,000 GBP (65,000 USD) annually
• On top of the tuition, you also have to settle college fees which range from 6,500 and 13,000 GBP. (8,000 and 16,000 USD)

Master Degree rates:

While Brexit has caused much speculation, the rights of EU Students will remain the same. This means that students living in the UK but are from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland will have to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme before 2020 ends. This ensures that all benefits you had before will remain even after Brexit. Here is a list of the top 5 UK universities according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020:

• Oxford
• Cambridge
• Imperial College, London
• UCL
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• King’s College London

For information on Scholarships for Overseas Students visit the UK Government Site. Ready to Move to UK? Some foreign students opt to enroll in Language School classes in the UK, if your child is one of them, they’ll have plenty of options to choose from- more than 400 to be exact. But which one is the best in terms of the Queen’s English? If you have the discipline and enough basic English, you can enroll in online courses or through an Open University. If you want to improve your writing, then sign up for the BBC Skillswise course. Here are two resources that you can check out:

• English in Britainhas a long database of schools across the UK
• The British Council likewise has a list of their accredited English language schools

Fees vary, but are in between 550 GBP (700 USD) for standard full-time classes (15-hour week in a 10-week program) and 270 GBP (350 USD) for part-time courses (four hours a week in a 12-week program).