Wales is one of the four main administrative and political parts of the United Kingdom and was formerly a grouping of independent Celtic kingdoms. The education system in Wales generally corresponds to the education systems in England and Northern Ireland. It should be noted that there are two education systems in the UK that get along easily: one in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and a second in Scotland.
Education in Wales and England is compulsory for all citizens between the ages of 5 and 16. There are two sectors of education: public (free education) and private (fee-paying educational institutions).
In general, the Welsh education system has the following characteristics.
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Flexibility.
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attention to the individual development of the pupil.
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the great variability of the process.
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a focus on the needs of business and manufacturing.
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an enhanced role for the Welsh language in education.
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Improved reporting systems for educational institutions to parents, pupils, employers and taxpayers.
Education in schools is delivered in both English and Welsh. The language of instruction is the choice of the parent or child. If you choose to study in English, Welsh is studied as a second foreign language.
Characteristics of Welsh education
Education in Wales differs in some respects from education in the rest of the UK.
15.7% of pupils are educated wholly or partly in Welsh
10% of pupils attend schools where a significant proportion of the curriculum is bilingual
Around 5% of Welsh students study some elements of the curriculum in Welsh
Higher education in the Principality is provided by eight universities, other higher education institutions and a number of additional education colleges.
Tuition fees in Wales
The cost of studying in Wales for international students varies depending on the educational institution chosen. Students from the EU pay the same fees as students from the UK - up to £9,250/g. For foreigners this figure ranges from £11,500 to £19,000.
Student life in Wales
Wales is a small principality: it is known for its breathtaking scenery, beautiful coastal areas and developed tourist infrastructure. The mountains, hills and rivers of Wales allow you to escape the hustle and bustle of the megacities and study in the region's capital, Cardiff, giving you the vivid impression of staying in a big city. Many music festivals are held in the region, and six UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located. Wales features some of the lowest prices in the UK, which allows you to reduce the cost of accommodation, travel, and food.
How to go to college in Wales
Entry requirements for individual colleges can vary considerably. If you are currently studying abroad, you must have a diploma recognised by your local educational institution in order to enrol on a university course.
English language requirements.
International students with a Tier 4 visa will need to take a special UKVI IELTS test
Most academic departments will require university applicants to obtain an IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent).
Christ's College Brecon
Christ's College is an independent, private, co-educational school for boys and girls aged 7-18. The school offers full-time education and boarding. There are approximately 350 students studying here. The school is located near the town of Brecon in the county of Powys in North Wales, about three and a half hours from London. The nearest airport is Bristol Airport, which is a two-hour drive from the school.
Brecon Christian College was founded in 1541 and is one of the oldest schools in England. In its long history of existence, it has managed to take a leading position among educational institutions in the UK. According to the Financial Times, it is one of the top three schools in the UK in terms of price and quality of education. According to an audit by the independent commission Estyn, the school received an average rating of 'outstanding' in all indicators, including the level of development of children, the curriculum and the quality of teaching staff.
Christ's College Brecon School is located on the territory of the Brecon Beacons National Park Nature Reserve.
The school's pupils regularly demonstrate high levels of academic achievement. Approximately 80% of GCSE and A-Level examinations are awarded A*-b grades in every code. The recipe for success is explained by the small number of students in the classroom, the constant monitoring of academic performance by the school's teachers, and a fairly rich and intensive educational programme.
The most successful subjects here are mathematics, natural science, photography and art. Of the large number of extra-curricular activities, music and singing are considered to be the most successful and popular here.
In addition, the guys are active in sports. The most popular sport among the boys is rugby and these guys regularly play at national level, some even playing for the British youth national team. Among the girls, the number one sport is hockey. The girls are not far behind the boys and the school hockey team regularly wins national competitions.
As mentioned above, one of the calling cards of Christ's College School is the relatively low cost of tuition. Given the high level of academic achievement, the cost of education here is approximately 25% lower than at other institutions of a similar level.
St David's College
St David's College was established in 1965 by John* Major for children who could have drowned in the general education system, but could have flourished under specially created conditions.
The school has 260 students. Children from all over the UK study here, as well as some foreigners. Parents chose this school because it gives students a well-rounded education, with special attention to individual needs, and because of the small classes.
This school has fundamentally changed the lives of young people, who are often modest in their ambitions and less confident in themselves when applying. The comprehensive support enables them to improve their skills, straighten their shoulders and become fully independent and successful.
Each year around 80% of GCSEs are awarded A*-C grades and around 30% of A Levels are awarded the highest A* and a grades.
Much of St Davids College's success also depends on the relatively small number of students in each class, with an average of no more than 10 students per class. It also offers additional classes with one-to-one teachers for students who have difficulty absorbing specific material. In addition to academic education, St Davids College has a strong focus on extra-curricular education and sport. The school has various sports facilities and teams have been established for almost all sports. Every child has to engage in several circles and sections. They particularly like it here on Wednesdays, on which day the lessons end at 13.10. After lunch, the guys go off to do sports, drive through the mud in jeeps, ride horses, go downstream in canoes, climb mountains, etc.
A magnificent studio has been created for fine art enthusiasts, where young artists spend most of their free time. In addition, at St Davids College School there is a magnificent photography studio, a drama club and much more for the full and in-depth development of each child.
St Davids College accepts children of all faiths and beliefs. They do not preach here, nor do they pick out any particular denomination, but raise children in the best of the general Christian tradition.
Llandovery College
Llandovery College is one of the most successful, old (founded in 1847) and small indoor educational institutions in Wales. Only about 340 people study here, which provides each student with the personal attention and involvement of a teacher, a personalised approach.
The academic achievements of students and graduates attest to the success of this approach.
According to A-level results, 64% of students achieved grades from A* to B, of which 30:- from A* to A and 10% - the highest grade A*
According to the GCSE results, 84.8% of students obtained grades from A to C: 36% of them - grades A*-a and 60% - from A* to B.
The campus in the National Park is also well located: the children are guaranteed clean and fresh air, plenty of walks and opportunities for outdoor sports. At the same time, London can be reached by car within three hours - in their free time, pupils have access to all the city's recreational and cultural infrastructure.
The school also has a strict, but at the same time balanced, timetable. The student day starts at 8:30 (assembly), followed by lessons, creative and sporting electives, break times and homework. On Wednesdays, a "short day" is offered: the children are only busy until lunch and the rest of the day can be used for rest or a favourite hobby.