Taiwan / UK High School Comparison

One of the key differences between the UK and Taiwan high school systems is that in most parts of the UK* children start formal education at the age of 5 and complete 13 full years of education before entering university at the age of 18. In Taiwan only 12 years of formal education are completed before university.

The British system allows for six years of elementary and junior education from 5 until 11 years old. Students then begin their secondary education which lasts for seven years. A broad general syllabus is taken for the first three years and then students sit examinations set by the school. Depending on the results they then choose which subjects to study for the General Certificate of Education (GCSE) examinations. The GCSEs are national examinations and are taken at 16 years of age after a two year preparation programme. Students usually take about 8 subjects - Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History and French for example. Choices are available which sometimes vary from school to school. Students who perform well at the GCSE examinations progress to 6th form college (senior high school) or leave school. GCSEs are National Examinations taken by all British students on the same day - similar to the Taiwan college and high school entrance examinations.

Students who successfully complete their GCSEs usually stay on at school or go to a 6th Form College to study for 'A' levels (Advanced Level Examinations). Students make a choice as to whether they would prefer to take science based subjects (mathematics, chemistry, physics, etc.) or arts/humanities based subjects (English, economics, history, etc.). This decision is important as it will - to a large extent - influence the subject students study at university. Just three subjects are normally chosen as the courses are intensive and teach to a high level. Science based students would normally go into engineering or pure sciences, whereas arts/humanities would be aiming at business related subjects or literature, psychology, etc. At 18 years old after a two year preparation programme students take their A levels. These are a series of national 3 hour examinations, the results of which will determine which university the student will study at.

An alternative to taking the highly academic A levels is taking the "vocational " route. Britain is a leader in vocational training and has developed numerous courses to train students up in just about every profession. The two main groups of qualifications are GVNQs and NVQs. More information about these qualifications can be found in the Further Education section.

Foundation

NB. The Scottish high school system, like the Taiwan system, completes 12 years of formal education before entering university. Therefore, in some cases Taiwan high school leavers may be able to go straight into a Scottish university after graduation from high school. This will depend on the student's English level and also on high school grades.