Scotland is the most independent country within the United Kingdom of Great Britain. With a rich domestic history, wonderful nature and hospitable local people, Scotland attracts visitors from the farthest corners of the world. The main distinctive features of this country are the Scottish national clothing - the checkered kilt, the national musical instrument - the bagpipes, Scotch whiskey, amazing ancient castles and endless fields and pastures covered with a picturesque carpet of heather. And the elusive Nessie from Loch Ness has already become a national treasure.

Useful information

Scotland is included in the list of countries of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and to visit this country you need to obtain a British visa. To visit Scotland for study purposes you must obtain student visa. Depending on the duration of your studies, you will be issued either a short-term or long-term visa. The processing time is 15 days from the date of submission of documents to the embassy (delays in processing times are possible depending on the season). Registration for submitting documents is carried out approximately a week in advance.

Scotland has a quiet and peaceful life, but still be careful. Comply with local laws and public regulations. Due to its northern location, Scotland is quite cold despite the fact that the shores are washed by the warm Gulf Stream. Bring spare clothes and waterproof jackets. In summer, temperatures rarely rise above 20 degrees. Keep in mind that all shops, except grocery stores and sometimes souvenir shops, are only open until 17-00. The only exception is Thursday. On this day, the opening hours of some of them are extended by 1-2 hours. In Scotland, the mains voltage is 220 V, 50 Hz. Sockets - three-pin with grounding. The adapter can be purchased at any store. Scotland has its own currency - the Scottish pound sterling. It is identical to English - it changes the same, costs the same and is accepted throughout the UK. There are few street exchange offices in Scotland, and exchange transactions are carried out in banks (standard opening hours: 9.30 - 16.45, Saturday and Sunday are days off) at approximately the same rate.

Scotland, part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, differs sharply from its neighbors. She managed to achieve significant autonomy from England, thanks to which the local flavor that attracts tourists has been largely preserved. Tourists who come to this country for the first time will be impressed not only local cities and parks, but also ancient castles. Some of them have been reconstructed and look about the same as they did hundreds of years ago. History buffs won't want to miss other historical attractions in cities like Aberdeen, with its thousand-year history.

Scotland is no less attractive in terms of education. Parents send their children here to study in primary, middle and high schools, as well as to receive higher education.

Most Scottish schools are state schools, with only a small percentage of students attending private schools. All schools in Scotland are required to register with the Department of Education and Industry. The quality of education and conditions are regularly checked by department inspectors.

Private schools in Scotland are of greater interest to foreign children, especially those that operate on a boarding basis and provide accommodation for their students. Another important advantage of these schools is more diverse programs and better equipment. Children from other countries feel comfortable and safe here, which helps them in as soon as possible adapt to a new environment and avoid the stress associated with moving to another country. Therefore, parents who want their child to receive a quality education will make the right choice if they send him to one of the schools in Scotland.

Education in Scotland

The country's course aimed at its autonomy from England did not affect the desire to master the best that is in the civilized world. Education in Scotland, of which this country is rightfully proud, was no exception. The Scots do not consider their education system inferior to the British one, which for many is the standard, and they strive to stand out against its background. The main features of the Scottish education system are shown in the table:

Level of education		Age of students	Features of training
Primary education		From 5 to 12 years	In primary school, students develop basic skills such as writing, reading, and arithmetic.
Secondary education	Compulsory secondary education	From 12 to 16 years	In secondary school, the course of subjects studied expands. Upon completion of training, students take exams and receive a certificate of secondary education.
	Higher secondary education	From 16 to 18 years old	Students who plan to obtain higher education continue their studies at a higher secondary school to obtain a HigherGrade certificate.
Higher education			To obtain basic higher education, that is, a bachelor's degree, students study for four years. After this, you can continue to study for a master's degree and doctorate.

A key feature of Scottish education is the wide range of knowledge and skills acquired. The extensive experience of Scottish universities is evidenced by the fact that four of the first six universities were opened in Scotland (the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh). Every year students from different countries for versatile knowledge that opens up a lot of new horizons. On average, the number of foreign students in Scottish universities is 10-15% of the total, and in some it reaches 45%.

Having received an education in Scotland, you will certainly achieve your goals and open up a lot of opportunities and prospects in your future career.

Study in Scotland

Studying in Scotland is represented in several areas:

Primary and secondary schools

Higher education

Language schools

Summer language camps for children

Education in Scotland has many advantages, which explains its popularity. Here are the main ones:

✔ As mentioned earlier, Scottish education meets the most high standards and is known throughout the world for its quality.

✔ Diplomas from local universities are recognized in all countries of the world.

✔ Many Scottish universities, including the University of Edinburgh, are among the TOP universities in the UK. Specialties such as the oil and gas industry, engineering, IT and applied sciences are especially developed here.

✔ The cost of education in Scottish schools, as well as prices for accommodation in the country, are somewhat lower than in the UK.

✔ Studying in Scotland is an opportunity not only to get an education, but also to spend an unforgettable time in a beautiful country, which is known for its rich cultural life, picturesque landscapes, vibrant festivals and ancient history.

✔ Besides quality education in Scottish schools you can get powerful language practice and significantly improve your knowledge English language.

A long history of existence, worldwide recognition and positive feedback from students are the best evidence of the quality of Scottish education. By enrolling in a local school or university, you will certainly be satisfied with your choice and will be able to achieve all your goals.

Scottish schools

It is worth mentioning separately about private Scottish schools that provide English language courses for foreign students. Edinburgh schools are the most popular, but students can study English not only in the capital, but also in other places interesting cities. All schools are well equipped and have excellent academic resources - comfortable classrooms, modern technological equipment, and computers with Internet access. Some schools also offer sports, arts and entertainment facilities.

Edinburgh English Language Schools provide courses for students of all ages and nationalities. You can take a general or business English course, a preparation course for passing exams or entering an English-speaking university. In language schools, education is conducted with complete immersion in the language environment. This practice is considered the most effective and allows you to overcome the language barrier in the shortest possible time and achieve your goals.

If you want your child to improve their English language skills, any of the many Scottish schools for children is at your service. They are organized according to the principle summer camps- here children can not only improve their English skills, but also spend an exciting holiday. Many schools offer in addition to traditional lessons sports, art, or other academic subjects. An integral part of studying at language schools is an introduction to the culture and attractions of Edinburgh, as well as an exciting entertainment program.

The staff of language schools also take care of the accommodation of their students and offer different housing options. This could be a host family, residence, apartment or hotel. Homestays help you get to know the Scottish lifestyle and culture better, while residences and apartments are preferred by more independent students.

An English course at a language school in Scotland will be a wonderful gift for your child. Here children make new friends, learn independence and spend an unforgettable time that they will remember for many years to come.

At the age of five, children move to primary classes(primary school) in schools in Scotland, at the age of 12 they move to (secondary school), where they study until the age of 15. Foreign students, including Russian children and schoolchildren, can study only from the age of 7 years. In primary and further in secondary classes, students are engaged in basic disciplines, including some natural sciences, history, computer science, English and French languages. At the same time, each educational institution in Scotland has its own specific design curriculum, and it necessarily includes sports, as well as creative disciplines such as drawing, playing musical instruments and even cooking.

At the age of 15, schoolchildren must take the GCSE exam (equivalent to GCSE in the UK), thereby completing the first stage of education (Nationals). Next, students have a choice: either go to college to receive vocational education, or continue at the age of 16 to 18 years. After successful completion at this stage graduates receive a certificate highest degree(Higher Grade), which is enough for admission to .

The optimal path for Russian children, schoolchildren, and students to study in Scotland at a university is to first study in two final classes at a Scottish school or college, and then complete the Foundation Course educational program. As a result, the applicant will receive an excellent level of preparation for entering and studying at a university in Scotland, improve his English language proficiency and receive a certificate of completion high school Scotland.

What are the features of studying in Scotland? To begin with, it is worth noting that the Scottish system is similar to the British education system. However, the Scots are confident that their education system is much better. Whether this is true or not will probably have to be judged by those who intend to study there or educate their children. We can only confidently cite the following generally accepted facts and advantages of Scottish education.

Benefits of education in Scotland

• Scottish diplomas are recognized in all countries of the world;
• high quality of education;
• for teaching a number of specialties: oil and gas industry, engineering, information technology and various types of applied sciences, Scottish universities are among the top leaders;
• affordable cost of studying and living in the country;
• high quality of language teaching in linguistic courses.

If we talk objectively, then there are still differences in the Scottish education system compared to the British education program. They are noticeable already from primary school, which lasts up to 12 years. Upon completion primary school The children take tests and enter high school, where education lasts another 3 years. Next comes admission to colleges and universities. The student himself chooses what to do: study for another 2 years in high school to receive a certificate of higher education, or at the age of 15, after passing the exams, enter one of the country’s colleges.

If, nevertheless, the student decides to graduate from higher secondary school, then with the received certificate he will be able to subsequently enter any university in the country. Students from the CIS countries or from other countries will also need an appropriate certificate for admission. In addition, the applicant must be fluent in English. The total TOEFL test score must be at least 550 or 5.5 on the IELTS test program. And for admission to medical and legal specialties, at least 600-700 points or, respectively, 6-7 points on IELTS.

Language courses in Scotland

To learn the language perfectly, it is recommended to take national linguistic courses. The learning result will exceed your expectations, since great attention is paid to the quality of language teaching. The Education Department maintains strict control over the effectiveness of training in these courses not only for local residents, but also foreign citizens.

Going to College in Scotland

Another optimal and best option for enrolling in a university is enrolling in a college. Upon graduation from college, you will learn the characteristics of local educational programs, learn the language more thoroughly, as a result of which you will have a number of advantages when entering, compared to other foreign students. The advantage of studying at college is that after graduation you can confidently enter any university. Without any problems, you will be immediately enrolled in the second or third year of your chosen specialty. This is possible due to the fact that the leadership of universities and colleges made an agreement in advance on the possibility of entering universities after graduating from college, bypassing 1-2 years of study.

After graduating from a university or institute, a student can continue his studies to obtain a master's or doctorate degree. To obtain a master's degree you need to study for a year, and for a doctorate – 3 years.

Features of educational programs at Scottish universities

The peculiarities of educational programs in Scottish universities are that they have flexible teaching schemes. Students, in addition to the subjects that should be taken according to the program, can choose any subjects from parallel training programs. During their studies, special attention is paid to practical training, as a result of which students develop practical work skills.

The success of training is determined by the small number of students in groups, the multinational composition of students and highly qualified teachers. The process of completing and sending the necessary documents to universities in Scotland should be undertaken in advance, approximately 1-2 years before admission.

The entire Scottish education system can be described as flexible, since already early years the child has a choice in everything regarding the number of years to gain knowledge, study disciplines and specialties, directions, etc. The country has a myriad of secondary and higher institutions, where they receive high-quality knowledge and a European-level certification document, which is welcomed by most employers. The system can be classified into several mandatory stages:

• Preschool preparation (with the development of basic school knowledge)
• Junior school where students will spend 7 years of their childhood
• Average educational institution- a school where you can earn money, provided successful completion course of study, certificate for admission to specialized educational institutions
• Average secondary school with in-depth preparation for Higher (examination required for admission to universities)
• A specialized institution that provides students with excellent specialized training and the possibility of future admission to a huge number of local higher education institutions
• Higher educational institutions, in which subjects are taught in all areas of science
• Postgraduate education where you can improve your skills and deepen your subject knowledge

We will talk about all the many levels and variations of study in Scotland below.

Early childhood education in Scotland

There is no kindergarten, in the standard sense, in this state. But there are preparatory courses, where kids are taught perseverance and basic knowledge of various sciences and manifestations creative activity. They attend such establishments from 3 to 5 years old.

Primary and secondary education

On junior school in Scotland it takes students 7 years (school age ranges from 5 to 12 years), unusual for Russians. The marking system here is similar to the Russian one, only the designation is not digital, but alphabetic (A-5, E-1). Knowledge control is carried out using tests on knowledge of basic sciences for junior grades. At the age of 11-12, schoolchildren move to secondary school, where they have to study for 4 to 6 years. The first four years are the mandatory minimum required for everyone. It is at this time that you need to pass examinations, after which certificates of secondary education are issued. 15-year-old students are divided into two groups - those who have chosen a specialized education, and those who need to pass the Higher examination tasks for admission to universities.

From 16 to 18 years old, schoolchildren “absorb” knowledge that will be useful for successfully passing 5-6 exam papers and obtaining the long-awaited and honorable “higher certificate” - it will be required for admission to Scottish Higher Education Institutions. At the end of the training, the so-called “sixth year”, an attestation document is issued, which is positively viewed by everyone higher institutions United Kingdom.

Private schools

Average general education in Scotland for citizens of the country free of charge (sponsored by the Department and numerous educational boards). But there are a number of non-state schools where both local residents and foreigners can study intensive general education methods. Such institutions include the Edinburgh School, intended for boys, and the school named after. St. George, which accepts only girls within its walls. TO distinctive features These educational institutions include:

• A rich subject study program
• Development and intensive realization of creative potential in children
• Almost round-the-clock daily activity, including a variety of sightseeing and thematic excursions, numerous clubs, classes, courses
• Personal education, which in the future becomes a powerful basis for the characters of students

Schoolchildren here spend their free time from studying on self-improvement in various areas. General education and creative clubs, sports sections - all classes are conducted to maximize the potential and abilities of each student.

Education for children and teenagers during holidays in Scotland

Two schools (Mary Erskine and St. Leonard) provide a vacation educational and entertainment course for children. Length of stay - from two seven days to a whole month. During this time, schoolchildren can expect a schedule full of excursions and interesting activities. During their vacation, children get acquainted with the culture and sights of picturesque Scotland, study English in depth, and communicate with peers. At the end of studying the program, final tests are always carried out, after successful completion of which a certification document is issued. The cost of studying in Scotland under this program depends on the type and duration of residence in the country and ranges from 200 to 500 thousand rubles per month. There is a unique chance for your child to move into a family or residence.

Vocational education

There are 43 specialized institutions successfully operating in the state, many of which cooperate with universities. This means that each student, if desired, can continue to receive a specialized education at Higher Educational Institutions - Universities after receiving special education college, and a shortened course awaits him (admission immediately to the 2nd or even 3rd year of study). The education system in Scotland is similar to the Russian one (in colleges) - you can choose one of many areas and study it intensively for several years. After the 1st year of study, a Higher National Certificate is issued, and after the second - a diploma. Requirements in Scottish educational institutions students are highly regarded, which is why the documents they issue are valued by employers in well-known companies around the world.

Higher education in Scotland

Further study programs after secondary school or college in Scotland are flexible, i.e. it is possible to choose the form of training and courses (even individual programs). Basic training takes 4 years, after which the student is awarded a bachelor's degree. The next year is spent completing a bachelor's degree with honors. By the way, some universities provide an industrial form of training, which involves intensive practice, which is especially valued by many employers as a kind of work experience.

The student population in Scotland is multinational. The majority of students here are local residents, as well as visitors from the UK, but there are also a lot of foreigners (about 10-15%). Admission conditions for foreign citizens are democratic - college and school diplomas are often accepted as part of the entrance documents. International students need to take Foundation or A-Level courses - most colleges offer these programs. Some universities are also ready to provide their own training courses, but further admission to this institution is often a prerequisite.

Higher education programs are always paid, both for Scottish citizens and for foreigners. Some universities offer local residents an educational course on deferred payment, i.e. the student will pay for his studies after graduation if his salary is above 21 thousand pounds (per year). If the bachelor's salary is lower, then you will not have to pay for your studies. By doing this, Universities emphasize their “status” and the quality of education (after all, this is what is valued by the largest companies).

Postgraduate education

In Scotland, it is possible to take an intensive course to upgrade your degree to a Master in a year - this is an excellent solution for urgently improving your qualifications. For those wishing to gain in-depth knowledge, a three-year course is offered, upon completion of which a doctorate degree is awarded.