What happens after secondary school in the UK?

Refugio Gastineau: Right....During the Last 2 years of secondary school ("years 10 and 11", ages 15 and 16 approximately), you study for your GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) usually in 10-12 subjects, some compulsory some optional. Coursework takes place over the two years, and there are final exams at the end. Grades are A*ABCD etc. Only grades A* - C count for anything.After GCSEs a lot of students carry on to do A-levels. A levels take 2 years and are divided into two parts - AS and A2, usually students take 4 AS subjects, drop one, and continue the other 3 to A2 level.A-levels are used as criteria for admission to university. A levels are graded ABC etc (note no A* at A level). Clever people can also do Advanced Extension Awards in some subjects.University applications are made through a centralised system - UCAS - with a single application form. Applications are made before the A2 level exams, so you and the university have to try to guess how you'! ll do at A levels. Offers are made before A level results come out and are conditional on achieving whatever results the offering university wants. Some universities require AAA or even AAAA results.University grading is by "degree classifications" a 1st is the best, then 2:1 (upper 2nd), 2:2 (lower 2nd), 3rd....Show more