• Contact your local British Council office at www.britishcouncil.org/where
• Visit Education UK Scotland at www.educationukscotland.org for everything you need to know about studying in Scotland.
  Or try one of the following for a direct link to the university, college or school of your choice
  
  
• A full list of links to UK university or College is available.
• For accredited independent further and higher education institutions, see the British Accreditation Council web site at www.the-bac.org
• For English language courses, try the English in Britain site at www.englishinbritain.co.uk
• HERO is the national web site for higher education in the United Kingdom, and can be found at www.hero.ac.uk
• Hot courses are the team who designed and built the Education UK site. They also operate the UK's largest database of courses, which they collect for the national learndirect database. Visit them at www.hotcourses.com to search their course database by region or cities of the UK. Alternatively you may contact them about any aspect of this or other sites they operate by sending a feedback email to feedback@hotcourses.com
• The Study UK web site at www.studyuk.hobsons.com provides information about studying in the UK and about UK universities and colleges.
• The DfES (formerly DfEE) International Student web page at www.dfes.gov.uk/international-students contains up to date information and advice on Chevening Scholarships, working in the UK and visa and entry requirements to the UK.
• Links to over 300 specially selected Education UK related sites are maintained by the British Council at www.britishcouncil.org/education/dir/
• The National Grid for Learning portal atwww.ngfl.gov.uk brings together a vast and growing collection of sites that support education and lifelong learning.
• UK Student Life is a website with practical information for international students about all aspects of living in the UK as a student. It also contains ideas about ways of studying British English either in the UK or abroad. You can find it at www.ukstudentlife.com
• City & Guilds is the leading provider of vocational qualifications in the United Kingdom and can be found at www.city-and-guilds.co.uk
• A guide that provides information about studying English and living in the UK at www.worldstudysolutions.com

Students come from all over the world to study for the UK's universally known and respected GCSEs, A-levels, Standard Grades, Highers and other equivalent qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate. These are academic and career-based courses designed to stretch your ability and imagination. And you'll be in the right place to study for them. Many independent boarding schools and colleges are at the top of the UK league tables for GCSE, Scottish Higher and A-level results.

For many international students, GCSEs and A-levels are important steps on the road to degree or career-based courses. GCSEs and Scottish National Qualifications offer you the opportunity to explore a range of subjects from the sciences, humanities and arts, and discover your real strengths and interests. Scottish Highers, A-levels and AS-levels allow you to cover a smaller range in more depth, and to a level that prepares you for higher study. These courses will encourage independent thinking and personal study skills, as well as teamworking on projects. Or maybe you're planning to skip further studies and go straight into a career when you finish school - GCSEs and A-levels are held in high esteem across the globe and will help you stand out from the rest. Employers will be impressed by the skills you've gained through thinking for yourself and through research, teamwork and analysis.

Students are also encouraged to combine their academic work with a lively social life and, wherever you go, there will be a wide choice of extra-curricular activities to get involved in. You could find yourself directing a student play, scoring your school football team's winning goal, developing your singing talents or impressing your tutors with your debating skills. Coming to the UK is a great chance to expand your horizons, meet people from all over the world, get your first real taste of independence and learn more than you thought possible, not just academically but also about yourself and your own strengths. Higher and further education institutions will not only take into account academic results when selecting the best candidates for courses, they will also be looking at your all-round personal development. Your experience in the UK on a GCSE, A-level or equivalent course will build your character and confidence, broaden your outlook and help you become a strong candidate for whichever course or career you choose. Students come away with excellent qualifications and, most important of all, with the confidence, enthusiasm and energy to realise their dreams as well.

Students usually study from eight to 12 GCSE subjects over two years (in Scotland, you might study for a Scottish Certificate of Education Standard Grade, a similar qualification to the GCSE). Most students study a core of statutory subjects and choose additional subjects from a list.

Core subjects include English, mathematics, design and technology, a modern language, a science, information and communications technology (ICT), physical education and (from August 2002) citizenship. Optional subjects include art and design, business studies, drama, economics, engineering, health and social care, leisure and tourism, music, physics, and religious education. Students may take GCSEs in core and optional subjects.

Other subjects are also available at individual schools and colleges, depending on the expertise and qualifications of the teachers. For mature students, GCSE pathway courses are available at some colleges. Students complete a number of GCSEs in one year, which could lead on to an access course, a career-based course, AS-levels, A-levels or a career.

On any GCSE course, you receive formal tuition in the classroom and laboratory but are also encouraged to work independently and undertake research for projects, often outside school hours. Educational visits, either on your own or as part of a small group, are often part of the timetable. Some subjects take account of the work you do throughout the year, while others are assessed entirely by examination. Examinations are independently marked and graded. GCSE grades range from A* (the highest) to G.

New GCSEs in vocational subjects (formerly Part One GNVQ) are a career-based version of the GCSE. Eight subjects are available: art and design, business, engineering, health and social care, information and communications technology (ICT), leisure and tourism, manufacturing, and science. One vocational GCSE is equivalent to two conventional GCSEs. As with other GCSEs, grades range from A* (the highest) to G.

They are advised to choose subjects that will help their future career and/or university application. The vast choice of subjects on offer includes all the GCSE subjects listed above plus geology, sports studies, electronics, photography, theatre studies, media studies and many others. In Scotland, students take National Qualifications at Higher level and, in some cases, at Advanced Higher level (see below). Boarding schools in Scotland offer Scottish Highers, Scottish Advanced Highers and A-levels.

For some subjects, such as mathematics, you will need to have taken a GCSE in the same subject. Others require no specific prior knowledge of the subject.

AS-levels and A-levels take two years altogether. In the first year, you study four or five subjects at AS-level. An AS-level counts as the first half of an A-level in the same subject. In the second year, you choose two to four of those subjects (usually three) to study at A-level. Some subjects take account of the work you do throughout the year, while others are assessed entirely by examination. Examinations are independently marked and graded. A-level grades range from A (the highest) to E.

On both A-level and AS-level courses, you receive classroom and laboratory tuition but you are also encouraged to work independently and undertake research for topical projects, frequently outside school hours.

Vocational A-levels, also called Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE), can be taken alongside or instead of conventional A-levels.They are available in 12-, six- and three-unit awards.The 12- unit awards, also called 'double awards', are equivalent to two A-levels; the six-unit awards are equivalent to one A-level; the threeunit awards are equivalent to one AS-level. Vocational A-levels are offered in 14 subjects: art and design, business, engineering, health and social care, information and communication technology (ICT), leisure and tourism, manufacturing, construction and the built environment, hospitality and catering, land and environment, media communication and production, performing arts, retail and distributive services and science.