European School System

[Michael]

I don't get it...
I hear all this talk about A-levels and such and I have no clue what they are. I just want to know, what's the difference from european schooling then from canadian or american schooling?

[Soul-Divider]

The first most obvious thing is the fact that european, (and I'm sure by that you actually mean british, since the french, german and spanish do other things too) start 1 year earlier than in america/canada, so you finish primary school and everything else 1 year earlier.

A-levels are what you study at college, at your first year of college (usually 16 years old) you study AS-levels, which are basically easier versions of a-levels, in the second year you move on to a-levels in your chosen subjects, and all this leads on to university at the usual age of 18 (can vary depending on length of course at college.)

However, certain people, at college may which to do a BTEC, which is the equivilent of 1-4 A-levels depending on the standard (or set if you don't get that) of the group, and unlike A-levels, you do 1 course in a particular subject, rather than a set of 3-5 A-level subjects. And also, there's no end of year exam, as it is done via series of assignments and projects.


So to sum up.
AS-levels, taken in first year of college, a group of 3-5 sujects with end of year exams and coursework during the year
A-levels, taken in second year of College, a group of 3-5 sujects with end of year exams and coursework during the year
BTEC, taken for 1-3 years of college, a single course, made up of assignments with no exams.


Get the idea? and ofcourse, that's only at college where A-levels apply

[Michael]

Oh, wow, thanks for telling me. The system there is a sort of a whole lot different then over here. It seems simplier here.

[Soul-Divider]

to me, our seems simpilar than yours

I presume it's the one your used to that seems easiest