Hi emar further education comes after mandatory education in the UK. Most commonly, the stages are: Primary Education - ages 5-11 [Sometimes Middle School - 8-13] Secondary Education - 11-16 Further Education - 16-18 [though can be done by adults of any age if they are returning to education] Higher education - 18+ Primary and Secondary education are compulsory and it is usually done in a school. Further education is optional and is usually done at a sixth form department of a school or a further education college. Higher education is usually done at a university. Sometimes college and university (even school in US English) are used interchangeably, and some universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, are made up of colleges. But generally, and if exclude adult learners , the system is: Primary - 5 to 11 years old (compulsory) Secondary - 11 to 16 (compulsory) Further Education - 16 to 18 (optional) Higher Education - 18 to 21+ (optional The main qualifications are GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) taken in the last two years of secondary school, and A-Levels (Advanced Level, taken in sixth-form or college. Of course, there are various other types of qualification but these are the most common ones.

Hi Emar. Further Education is sometimes called the school of second chances. If you don't do well academically at school, you may go to an FE college to study a trade rather than go into higher education. However, there is also the option to study certain subjects that will get you to university if that is your wish but your school won't allow you to remain and prepare with them. Adults might also go to improve their literacy or maths skills. If they are migrants and need to learn English, they can find subsidised or free lesson there too. You might also go to an FE college if you want to learn something as a hobby such as jewelry making, pottery or music FE is a very broad church! Hope that helps.