Useful Info · 18 guides
Education & University
The school system and applications, GCSEs and A-levels, university, UCAS, home fees and student loans.
Start here
- What is UCAS and how do you apply to university? The 2027 entry timetable, five choices, the reference and Clearing9 reads
- What do you need for a master’s degree in the UK? Entry requirements, grade conversion, visa, ATAS and the Master’s Loan5 reads
- Can you get into a UK university with a Turkish high school diploma? Required grade percentage, A levels and the foundation year4 reads
All guides on this topic (18)
- 2
The 8 mistakes immigrant families often make in the UK education system: deadlines, listing one school, term-time trips to Turkey and home fee
Points that cause problems when official rules are missed: the 31 October (Year 7) and 15 January (Reception) deadlines, listing one school, not accepting an offer in time, term-time holiday fines (£80, £160 if unpaid after 21 days), staying in education to 18, home fee status and UCAS dates.
- 3
Can you do a master’s in the UK without a bachelor’s degree? Associate degree (MYO) graduates and admission through work experience
There is no general rule; the university and programme decide. QAA says master's entrants can be honours graduates or people whose work experience convinces admissions staff. Keele online asks for 2-3 years, Henley's Executive MBA over 5 years of management. No example names an associate degree.
- 3
The education systems of Türkiye and England compared: key differences and similarities from school to university
In both, state schooling is free and education runs close to 18. Differences: Türkiye uses a 4+4+4 structure with central placement through LGS and YKS; in England children start in Reception, schools and universities are applied for separately, and a bachelor's is 3 years.
- 3
I want to send my child from Türkiye to a boarding school in the UK: how does the Child Student visa work?
GOV.UK says the Child Student visa is for ages 4 to 17. You need an unconditional offer from a licensed sponsor school, suitable accommodation, enough money and parental consent. The fee is £558, plus the healthcare surcharge. The child cannot claim benefits or bring dependants.
- 9
What is UCAS and how do you apply to university? The 2027 entry timetable, five choices, the reference and Clearing
UCAS says applications for 2027 entry opened on 12 May 2026; the date is 15 October 2026 for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine courses and 13 January 2027 (18:00) for most courses. The fee of £34.50 covers five choices. One reference is needed; the personal statement is at most 4,000 characters.
- 4
Can you get into a UK university with a Turkish high school diploma? Required grade percentage, A levels and the foundation year
Universities set their own requirements. Sheffield accepts the Turkish diploma from schools verified on MEB e-Okul and converts the final-year percentage to A levels (85% = AAA). A foundation year is the alternative. IELTS 6.0 or equivalent is asked.
- 4
Home fee or international fee? Turkish families, ILR holders and the "child of a Turkish worker" category
The university decides fee status. UKCISA says the 'settled' category needs 3 years' UK residence. For a 'child of a Turkish worker', GOV.UK requires parent and child to have lived in the UK by 31 December 2020; later arrivals get no home fee for courses from 1 August 2021.
- 2
What is a student loan and who can get one? Tuition fee and maintenance loan amounts (2026-27)
GOV.UK says there are two main loans: a Tuition Fee Loan (up to £9,790 in 2026-27, paid to the university) and a Maintenance Loan for living costs. UK nationals, Irish citizens and people with settled status and 3 years' UK residence can apply; others use the checker.
- 2
How do you repay a student loan? Plan 5, the threshold and what happens if I move to Türkiye
GOV.UK says repayment depends on your income: on Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above a £25,000 yearly threshold. English undergraduate courses starting on or after 1 August 2023 are Plan 5. If you move abroad for more than 3 months you must tell the Student Loans Company.
- 5
What do you need for a master’s degree in the UK? Entry requirements, grade conversion, visa, ATAS and the Master’s Loan
Universities set master's requirements. In the Sheffield example a four-year bachelor's and usually a UK 2:1 equivalent are needed (Turkish GPA 2.8-3.0/4). A Student visa needs a licensed sponsor, £558 and proof of money; ATAS may apply and Türkiye is not exempt.
- 3
Recognition of qualifications: is a UK degree valid in Türkiye (YÖK) and how do you prove a Turkish degree in the UK (UK ENIC)?
In Türkiye the process is YÖK's online pre-application plus documents (2026 fee 1,250 TL); YÖK assesses after graduation and school recognition is not equivalence. In the UK a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability compares a qualification with UK levels; no grades or English level.
University halls, private halls or a rented house? Deposits, guarantors, contracts and scam warnings
UKCISA says you usually apply for university housing before arriving and often find private housing after you arrive; arrange temporary stay for the first nights. A deposit is usually one month's rent; get proof of payment. Private renting: at most one month's rent in advance.
What happens after 16? A levels, BTEC, T Levels and the duty to stay in education until 18
GOV.UK says that after 16, until 18, a young person must be in full-time education, an apprenticeship, or work or volunteer 20 hours a week alongside part-time education. A levels and T Levels are Level 3. UCAS says regulated Level 3 BTECs earn A level Tariff points.
- 1
Is there a Turkish GCSE and a Turkish A level? Do they count for university applications?
Pearson Edexcel offers a GCSE (9-1) in Turkish, taught since 2018 with exams since 2020, and publishes an A level Turkish specification too. GCSE grades 9-4 are Level 2. Whether a university counts it in its own requirements depends on the course; UCAS asks you to list all qualifications.
- 1
What is a GCSE? Which grades count and when are they taken?
GOV.UK says GCSEs are taken in Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11); most pupils take them in Year 11. Grades 9 to 4 (formerly A* to C) are Level 2 and grades 3 to 1 are Level 1. GCSEs are the base qualification for A levels, T Levels and other routes after 16.
What should you look for when choosing a school in England? Ofsted, performance tables, academies, grammar and private schools
GOV.UK suggests visiting the school, reading the latest Ofsted report, checking performance tables and talking to parents. Types: community, academy, grammar (by test), independent. Distance and catchment rules can make your address affect ranking.
- 1
How do I enrol a child from Türkiye in a state school? Visas, proof of address and the application timetable
GOV.UK says state schools must not refuse a child over nationality or immigration status or ask for a passport or visa. You apply through the local council, also from abroad. A child on a visitor visa cannot enrol. Main dates: 15 January (primary), 31 October (secondary).
- 2
How does the school system in England work? Year groups, Key Stages and the duty to stay in education
GOV.UK says children aged 5 to 16 in England are entitled to a free place at a state school. Education starts in Reception (ages 4-5) and runs through Key Stages from Year 1 to Year 11. Most take GCSEs in Year 11. Until 18 a young person must stay in education or in work that includes training.