difference between british and australian education systems

Better Schooling: Australian and British Education Systems?

Comparison between Australian and British Education Systems

UK education systemsAustralia and the United Kingdom are both English-speaking countries. Are you a teacher or student looking to join the education systems in either country? Understanding how each education systems works would help you settle quickly and start working toward your goals. The two systems differ in certain aspects, and it is in your interest to know what those differences are. This comparison between Australian and British education systems hopefully provides information you would find helpful.The comparison touches on areas such as costs, examinations, regulation, funding as well as higher education.

Australia Boasts Eight Different Systems of Education

The Australian government, a federal system, has the primary responsibility for education. The country’s population is smaller than that of the U.K. Can you believe Australia boasts of eight different education systems? What’s more, each system sets its own high school leaving exams. Being a registered teacher in one state does not automatically qualify you to teach in a different one. If you wish to move to another state, you will need to register with them.

Increasingly GCSE-focused U.K. Education

The U.K. has made significant changes to the GCSE examinations.These changes started with Michael Gove, a former education secretary in England. The new GCSE is similar to the O-levels of pre-1988 U.K. The new move hopes to address what Gove called the “dumbing down” of the curriculum and grade inflation. The new exams are supposed to be more challenging than GCSE has ever been.

Australia does not have a GCSE equivalent, and no one body sets the country’s education agenda. However, the U.K. seems to be gravitating — albeit unconsciously — toward a federal style system similar to that in Australia. That said, there will always be country-specific differences that set each country’s system apart from those in other jurisdictions.

Types of Schools in Australia

Australian schools aim to provide a well-rounded education that prepares students for life after school. Their education systems covers key learning areas including math, English, arts and science, languages, society and environmental studies, and physical education. They also study technology and health education.

The types of schools found Down Under include government schools, non-government schools, and those based on educational philosophies. Non-government schools include faith-based schools such as Islamic or Catholic schools. Some of the educational philosophies guiding the establishment of schools are the well-known Montessori and Steiner. Every school in Australia needs to ensure registration with specific state’s education department.

Types of Schools in the U.K.

The four main types of school found in the U.K. are academies, maintained Schools, independent schools, and free schools.

Maintained Schools

Local authorities own and maintain these schools. Maintained schools have to adhere to all the requirements of the national curriculum. There are four types of maintained schools. These are foundation, trust, voluntary controlled, and voluntary aided schools.

Academies

Academies are state-funded.  That said, they exercise more independence than most other schools when it comes to directing their curriculum. They have the power to introduce faith-based topics or even change school hours. Sponsors from the business world, faith or voluntary groups work with the Department of Education to establish academies.

Free Schools

Funded by the government but not controlled by the local authority, free schools are like the academies. They can exercise some flexibility regarding term dates and the curriculum. Universities, community groups, parents, charities, or teachers usually establish these schools.

Independent schools

They are public or private schools run using fees paid by parents. They may also get support from various organizations.They can set their curriculum. To ensure independent schools maintain the required standards, the independent schools Inspectorate regularly inspects them.

Compulsory Education both Countries Proceeds Until the Age of 16

Just like in Australia, compulsory schooling in the U.K. starts at the age of five and continues until learners attain the age of 16. Except in one state, Tasmania, compulsory education in all states in Australia proceeds until children hit the age of 16. Compulsory education ends a year earlier in Tasmania, when learners are, often, 15.

Qualifications In Australia

Australian students strive to improve their Tertiary Admission rank — aka ATAR. The ATAR replaces by the year 2018 the Overall Position ranking currently applicable in Queensland. Queensland uses a system based on teachers’ assessments of students’ abilities. The ATAR is the main method that guides the selection of students for university programs.

Most of the programs offered at the universities usually set a minimum ATAR. Naturally, all year 12 students stress over their ATARs after they have sat the exams. Some experts have criticized the ATAR system arguing it forces learners to avoid or choose certain subjects to improve their score.  However, universities are increasingly adopting selection methods that do not consider a student’s ATAR only. Many expect the reliance on ATAR for selection of students for tertiary education to continue declining.

Qualifications In the U.K.

U.K. secondary school students focus on GCSE exams. They sit for these exams at the end of year 11. Traditionally, they have studied math, English, and science. Learners can also study the arts, humanities, technology, vocational studies or languages. Some may leave school at this point, but it certainly is not a good idea. The majority of students in the U.K. are preparing for the A-levels during years 12 and 13. Year 12 is also referred to as “lower sixth” while year 13 is commonly called “upper sixth.”

Diploma or Degree After GCSE exams

Also, a learner in either year 12 and 13 can be said to be a “sixth form” or “upper secondary” student. Successful upper secondary students can choose to join university or get a diploma. The diploma is a relatively new development in the U.K. The traditional path has always been proceeding to the university after the A-levels. In England and Wales, the law requires all kids aged 5 –16 to acquire at least primary and secondary school education.

School Terms

The academic year in the U.K. typically starts in September and ends in June or July of the following year. Each academic year has four school terms. Local education authorities in the U.K. are responsible for setting their holiday and term dates. The longest holiday break runs for five to six weeks. It is the summer school holiday when most people plan their travel.

In comparison, the Australian school year starts in early February and ends in November or early December. The term commencing date varies with states as well as whether the school is a government one or not. Earning an undergraduate degree Down Under takes 3–4 years. In comparison, it would take you 6 – 12 months less time to obtain the same degree in the United Kingdom. That means studying in the U.K. can allow you to enter the labor market a bit earlier.

Australian and U.K. Class Sizes

As a prospective student or teacher, you want to know how big classes are in Australia and U.K. Classes in the U.K. have a maximum of 30 students while 25 is the highest number of learners sitting in Australian classrooms. You may think being a teacher in the U.K. is a lot tougher than it would be Down Under. Class assistants working to support teachers in the U.K. make the slightly bigger classes there more manageable.

Tuition Costs

As a potential student, you would want to know how much it would cost to earn your degree in either country. In both countries, domestic students pay less than international or other students. And governments in both regions set a fees limit beyond which institutions cannot charge. Additionally, both countries provide subsidies and loans that make education more accessible than in most other places.

Tuition Costs In the UK.

How much you pay depends on the particular country. For instance, costs in the United Kingdom for Home students studying typical undergraduate degrees in English universities in the U.K. pay up to 9,250 pounds per year. Welsh institutions charge up to 9,000 pounds for home students. North Irish universities charge home students up to 5,220 pounds less than what England charges its home learners. It gets more interesting. Can you believe that home and European Union students pay ZERO for their undergraduate degrees in Scotland? However, learners from Wales, Northern Ireland, and England end up paying 9,250. International students spend even more.

A typical degree would, therefore, cost you between 0 – 27,750 pounds in the U.K. It would all depend on which country you chose and whether you are a local, EU, or international student.

Tuition Costs In Australia

Australian education systemsIn Australia, the costs can differ significantly across states. Institutions charge fees per unit rather than per year. A student can expect to study a cluster of courses, and each class belongs to a specific “band.” Australian universities offer subjects from different bands at different costs. That means students pay different amounts every year depending on what they are studying.

There are various similarities and differences between Australian and UK education systems. Developing a clear understanding of these differences and similarities can help you make informed decisions regarding preparation. Hopefully, you can now move forward with confidence.

However with the looming Brexit, we tuition costs in the United Kingdom to significantly change.

This post was researched, compiled and written by our MBA project writer in UK who has vast interests in educational maters. visit us at https://www.expertwritinghelp.com for dissertation and academic coaching services at affordable rates.

 

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