Going to the UK to study in Form 5: Do you take A Levels or the Foundation?
Summary
It points out the differences between the UK Foundation and UK A level in terms of target, learning environment and further study prospects. It also sets up 4 different situations to analyze whether Foundation or A level is more suitable.
Foundation is suitable for 3 types of students
- I lack science elective subjects , but I hope to study medical laboratory, radiation therapy, nutritionist, pharmacist, optometrist, nursing, etc. in a British university . Even if this student has a good DSE score, he still has to study British Foundation . Why not just finish Form 5 and study Foundation?
- Average grades in Form 5 Mathematics or 2 elective subjects: Occasionally failed or 2 or more subjects are just passing. Assuming that the school grades and DSE are comparable, this student is likely to go to a British university through Foundation after taking DSE . Why not go to British Foundation after completing Form 5 ?
- I know what I want to major in university, I don't want to take DSE , I have completed Form 5 and hope toIn the UK Foundation, students can choose subjects that match their interests, saving a year and graduating as soon as possible to enter the workplace. After completing Form 5 and 3 years of university, it only takes 4 years to complete a UK university degree, which means they can graduate one year faster than students who have to take the DSE.
Foundation studies can be taken at British universities , FE Colleges and Sixth Form Colleges . Regardless of the type of institution or the reasons for choosing Foundation studies, students must haveclear goals and relatively mature self-managementto achieve the expected results.
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4 reasons to study A levels
- The elective subjects in secondary school are narrow , such as BAFS + Economics. Students hope to study A-level in the UK to broaden their academic foundation and increase their possibilities for university subject selection.
- If you want to go back to Hong Kong to study medicine or other specialties , studying A levels in the UK will allow you to focus more on and comprehensively study math and science. A levels vs DSE are 2-3 times easier to get ideal grades.
- If a student is in Form 4 and wants to skip to A-level , he will graduate one year earlier than his Hong Kong classmates. If the student is 16 years old on September 1, he will be old enough to study A-level in the UK , 2 years of A-level, plus 3 years of university, and graduate one year earlier than his Hong Kong classmates.
- If you want to apply to famous British universities , such as Oxford University, Cambridge University, University of Edinburgh, King's College London, University of St. Andrews , there is no Foundation, and DSE, IB or A level results are required.
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Comparison of Foundation vs A level tuition and learning environment
Foundation or A level courses are both affordable and expensive, costing HK$250,000 to HK$500,000 per year, including tuition, room and board.
- FE College is a low-cost British college with many valuable or even free value-added services, such as foreign language learning opportunities, free city bus passes, etc. Mature and independent students will naturally enjoy the independent learning environment and achieve their learning goals.
- The most expensive British preparatory school is the Sixth Form College , which offers a wide range of A-level subjects and distinctive Foundations, such as the Foundation for studying design in the UK , the University of London Foundation , and the Foundation for studying medicine in the UK . It is suitable for students who need personalized services academically.
- British boarding schools of course offer A levels, and a few offer Foundation. The fees are similar toBritish preparatory schools and Sixth Form Colleges are similar, the difference lies in the learning environment. In addition to academics, British boarding schools also have special arrangements for extracurricular activities, with a wide variety of choices, butBritish Sixth Form Colleges are located in big cities, and students need to arrange their extracurricular time by themselves. Therefore, if students need a comprehensive campus life, British boarding schools are more suitable.
UK Foundation vs A level reading
- University of London Foundation : You can enter certain elective subjects at London School of Economics (LSE) or King's College London (KCL) through Foundation, and the grade requirements are much easier than A level or DSE!
- NCUK Foundation : One to Many Foundation, one Foundation can connect multiple British universities
- UK university admission requirements : Find out what grades and subjects are required for your desired UK university, so as to decide whether you should take the DSE or complete Form 4 or Form 5 before going to study in the UK?
- British education system : Learn about the courses available to students of different ages when studying in the UK
- British secondary school system : You can see the Hong Kong and British school system diagrams and know the right time to choose Foundation and A level. You can graduate one year earlier than the Hong Kong school system.
- Studying in the UK: Whether you choose Foundation or A level, you need to know the relevant prices
- British secondary schools : Some British secondary schools offer both Foundation and A level courses.
Foundation vs A level FAQ
- It depends on what you want to major in university. If it is business, architecture, engineering, psychology, law, tourism, politics, life sciences, computer science, etc., you don’t actually need to pay an extra year of UK Foundation fees, because even if your grades are at level 2-3, highly ranked Russell Group universities have International Year 1 , allowing you to graduate in 3 years.
- If you want to study Health Sciences, such as nutritionist, pharmacist, optometrist, medical laboratory technician, nurse, or radiation therapist, but do not have a science major, you need to consider Foundation .
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