Also, full-time education is compulsory for all children aged between 5 and 16. Key Stage 1 is for 5 – 7 year olds; Key Stage 2 is for children aged 7-11; 11 -14 year olds are taught at Key Stage 3; and finally Key Stage 4 is for 14 – 16 year olds. (Tutorial, Laser Learning Ltd 2010, 17/01/2012, http://stonebridge.laserlearning.org/TCC_Template_1.aspx?ur=100429&ln=TDA32-1.1)
Students may then continue their secondary studies for a further two years (sixth form), leading most typically to A-level qualifications, although other qualifications and courses exist, including Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualifications, the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Cambridge Pre-U. The leaving age for compulsory education was raised to 18 by the Education and Skills Act 2008. The change will take effect in 2013 for 16-year-olds and 2015 for 17-year-olds. (Education in England, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 08/01/2012, 17.01/2012, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_England)
Also, higher education typically begins with a 3-year bachelor's degree. Postgraduate degrees include master's degrees, either taught or by research, and the doctorate, a research degree that usually takes at least three years. Universities require a Royal Charter in order to issue degrees, and all but one is financed by the state via tuition fees, which are increasing in size for both home and European Union students.(Education in England, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 08/01/2012, 17.01/2012,
Bibliography: 1. Tutorial, Laser Learning Ltd 2010, 17/01/2012, http://stonebridge.laserlearning.org/TCC_Template_1.aspx?ur=100429&ln=TDA32-1.1 2. Education in England, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 08/01/2012, 17.01/2012, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_England 3. Types of schools, Directgov, 15/07/2011, 17/01/2012, http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/ChoosingASchool/DG_4016312