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Education in Wales differs in certain respects from the systems used elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
A significant number of students in Wales are educated either wholly or largely through the medium of Welsh; lessons in the language are compulsory for all until the age of 16. Welsh medium education is available to all age groups from nursery (through the Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin), in schools, colleges, universities and in adult education.
The Structure of the Welsh Educational System
Compulsory Schooling
Basically, the United Kingdom has two education systems: one covering England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; and one covering Scotland. The two systems have different emphases: traditionally the English, Welsh, and Northern Irish system has emphasised depth of education, whereas the Scottish system has emphasised breadth. Thus English, Welsh, and Northern Irish students tend to sit a small number of more advanced examinations, while Scottish students tend to sit a larger number of less advanced examinations.
The system of statutory national key-stage tests in Wales was, until 2000, the same as in England, and was managed by the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority (SCAA). In 2000, the National Assembly for Wales took responsibility for these tests in Wales, at which point they were developed by test agencies on behalf on ACCAC, whilst the tests in England were developed for the QCA.
A child's age on the 1 September determines the point of entry into the relevant stage of education.
Primary Education
Secondary Education
Secondary Education in WalesPost 16 Education
Further Education
Further Education in Wales- Age 16-18
Higher Education
Higher Education in Wales is provided primarily by the University of Wales. There is also Cardiff University, which was previously a college of the University of Wales, and the University of Glamorgan which was previously the Polytechnic of Wales.- Age 18+
=Postgraduate Education
= Students who have completed a first degree are eligible to undertake a postgraduate degree, which includes:- Master's degree (typically taken in one year)
- Doctorate degree (typically taken in three years)
=Specialist Qualifications
=- Education: Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Certificate in Education (Cert Ed), C&G 7407.
- Law: Bachelor of Laws LL.B.
- Medicine: Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery studied at Medical school (United Kingdom)
- Business: Master of Business Administration MBA.
Adult Education
Adult education, Continuing education or Lifelong learning is offered to adults of all ages. These can include the vocational qualifications mentioned above and also:- Access programme one or two year courses to allow adults access to university.
- Open University a distance learning program which can result in Degree.
- Workers' Educational Association
See also
- Education in England (has similarities with the Welsh system - some areas are covered in more depth)
- Education in Northern Ireland
- Education in Scotland
- Education in the United Kingdom
- Education by country
- Blue book
External links
- Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales in English and Welsh
- Welsh FE Colleges
"Education in Wales"