All You Need To Know About Sixth Form Colleges And How To Pursue 11th and 12thFrom TheUK
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By Anjali Bailin
1. What is a Sixth Form College?
A Sixth Form College is the equivalent of 11th and 12th in India. In the UK, at the age of 16, students give their school final exam called GCSE, which is also known as matriculation or SSC board exams in India. Students go to a Sixth Form College after giving the 10th board exams.
A Sixth Form College is where students choose their subjects according to their interests to pursue Advanced Level, also known as A-level. There are roughly 90 sixth form schools, 200 colleges, and around 50 sixth form colleges currently to choose from in order to study in the UK.
2. How long do students have to attend the Sixth Form College?
Students attend the college for two years, similar to the 11th and 12th classes in India. These consecutive two years are referred to as Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
3. What are the curriculum and program structure like in a Sixth Form College?
Almost all subjects are taught at Sixth Form Colleges, with some colleges offering up to fifty subjects. The curriculum includes lessons for subjects, career advice, pastor’s care and extracurricular activities. In a Sixth Form College, every student has a personal tutor.
Students usually have to study a minimum of three A-level subjects. Academically strong students can opt for four to five A-level subjects. Another option is the AS (Advanced Supplementary) which is taken along with A-level subjects. AS subjects are additional subjects taken up for skill enhancement and are considered as ‘half the syllabus of an A- level’. For example, a student may choose Physics, Chemistry and Biology as the A-level and a foreign language course as the AS-level subject. A-level is typically a two-year course, and AS-level is for one year.
4. What is the difference between a college and a Sixth Form College?
A Sixth Form College is where you study A-level to go a university. But a college is for higher education or a vocational college such as a degree in hairdressing.
5. How can a student apply to a Sixth Form College after completing Class 10th from India?
Schools in the UK is divided into state funded (free for UK students) and private (fee paying). Students from India will have to apply to a private Sixth Form College which could be a very expensive option.
The application process is done online. The majority of the colleges will also take personal interviews of international applicants through Skype. International students including those from India must take the IELTS to prove they have sufficient English language knowledge. Students should visit the respective Sixth Form College websites for admission related information. Interested students can email or call them for further assistance.
6. What is the examination and grading process in a Sixth Form College?
Students take their final A-level exam after two years. Examination results are given in the form of grades. These grades are issued from A* to E, with A* being the highest grade and E being the lowest. No marks, percentages, ranking or positions are given like in India. Students securing 80 % to 100% are typically awarded grade A*. There is also an option of taking the exam after the first year if the student feels confident enough to do so.
7. How can a student apply to a university after completing Sixth Form?
In India you apply to a university on the basis of the class 12th examination results however in UK Sixth Form you apply to a university while you are still in the first year of college which is Lower Sixth.
Students get a ‘Predicted Grade’ for each subject and a testimonial from the teachers on the basis of which students will get an offer from a university. This offer is ‘Conditional’ and students must meet or even exceed the grades predicted. They are entitled to apply to six universities. They may not get offers from all. Some universities conduct interviews such as universities of Cambridge and Oxford. Also, all medical courses require an interview for admission.
8. Who is an ideal applicant for a top sixth form college?
An ideal applicant would be a highly academic candidate and interested in some extra- curricular activities. They prefer someone who can contribute to the school and the society.
9. How much does it cost to study in a Sixth Form?
The tuition fee for an A-level course may cost around £5,500 - £20,000 per year. Students must also consider living expenses. Places like London, Oxford, and Cambridge etc. are very expensive whereas places like Glasgow, Sheffield etc. are comparatively affordable. Exceptionally bright students are also considered for scholarships.
10. Your advice to young students from India looking for high school studies in the UK?
Studying in a Sixth Form College means a wider choice of courses and subject combination, personal tutors, career counselling and lessons on skill enhancement. Students should choose a Sixth Form College only if they are aiming for further university studies. If a student is looking for an immediate career then he/she should not be opting for a Sixth Form College but instead apply to a local college. Gaining admissions to a Sixth Form itself is very competitive and therefore students must groom themselves from secondary school onwards.
11. Which are some of the popular Sixth Form Colleges?
Some of the most popular Sixth Form Colleges are Cardiff Sixth Form College, CCSS - Cambridge Centre for Sixth Form Studies, Ashbourne Independent Sixth Form College, D'Overbroeck's College – Oxford, Oxford Tutorial College, Roedean Sixth Form, Abbey College Cambridge, CATS College Cambridge, Brampton College – Hendon, and Rochester Independent College.
About the Author:
Anjali Bailin, a long-standing expert on Shiksha, became the first woman to receive a PhD in Physics from Sussex University in 1968. She spent a couple of years as a post-doctoral scholar and a teacher before finally moving to Roedean Sixth Form in the UK where she worked for nearly 20 years as the Head of Sixth Form before an early retirement in the year 1997.
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
Q: What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: How can I get a 100% scholarship to study in UK?
Yes, it is possible to get 100% scholarships to study in the UK. There are various external funding agencies that offer 100% scholarships to international students to study in the UK. Three main UK government scholarships for international students are;
However, to get 100% scholarships to study in the UK, international students must meet all the eligibility criteria and apply within the deadlines.
Q: How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?
University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.
- Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
- #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
- Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
- Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
- High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.
Q: What is the cost of an Essex MBA?
The University of Essex MBA cost is vary from INR 17 L to INR 27 L for first-year. The university offers an affordable MBA programme to international students. The table below includes the complete first year cost of studying MBA program:
Fees components | Amount (for 1 year) |
|---|---|
Tuition & fees | INR 27,67,000 |
Hostel & Meals | INR 6,59,321 |
Insurance | INR 85,888 |
Total approximate fees | INR 35,12,209 |
Also read: MBA in the UK Cost
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The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.