Top 17 English courses in Wales

Wales is an extraordinary, beautiful and picturesque country, one of the four main parts of the United Kingdom. This is a land of boundless lakes, melodious songs and a persistent Nordic character, stunning coastal landscapes and mysterious fogs. In addition to its unique historical, cultural and tourist value, Wales provides an opportunity to receive a high-quality, prestigious education. Studying in Wales is becoming more and more popular among international students every year, and there are logical explanations for this – the country has many advantages.

Below some core facts about Wales is provided:

• National language: English, Welsh
• Capital: Cardiff
• Currency: Pound Sterling
• Area: 20,777 sq.km
• Form of government: constitutional monarchy
• Time: UTC 0, summer +1
• Major cities: Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Bangor
• Language of instruction = English
• Language requirements = In 1+, IELTS 6.0
• There are entrance exams = yes.

The secondary and primary education is compulsory for all students aged from 5 to 16 years old. Traditionally, educational institutions are divided into public (usually free) and private (paid). The studying is conducted in as English (in this case, Welsh is studied as a second foreign language), as and in Welsh – the choice is made by the child and his parents, the curricula are practically the same and equally well balanced. The main specific of studying in school in Wales is high variability of programs, focus on practical application of the acquired knowledge, personal approach to each student and focus on the production and business sector.

Below the information about educational programs in the best boarding  school in Wales is provided:

• Preparatory school is the initial stage. Age of students is from 7 to 11-13 years. The main task is to help children to enrol in prestigious educational institutions, such as Public Schools. Foreign students can start studying in a few educational institutions from the age of 7. Main disciplines: English and other languages, mathematics, fundamentals of religion, natural science, music, labour, physical education, art, information and communication technologies, history, geography, theatre art. The middle stage (ages 11-13 to 14) is more popular with foreign students. The above subjects form the basis of the curriculum. Optional subjects included in the tuition fee can be used as additional classes.
• GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education), age of students – 14-16 years. Duration of studying is two years. Then there is the next stage after the 11th grade — Sixth Form (12-13 academic years), then A-Level, IB, Pre-U or BTEC. Upon graduation, a valid certificate of secondary education is issued in Wales. The program takes into account academic education not only in compulsory subjects, but also by choice, taking into account student’s interests. The list of disciplines is determined by the nature of the educational institution. The mandatory list usually includes the following: English, mathematics, natural sciences (from one to three). Most often it is supplemented with English literature, foreign language and religious studies.
• A-level is the program of graduating classes of secondary education. The Advanced level certificate allows students of boarding schools in Wales to enrol in universities in various countries. The duration of studying is 2 years. At the first stage, the students choose four or five subjects from 15-40 prospective disciplines. In the second academic year, their number may be reduced to three or four. At the end of each stage, it is required to pass examination tests. The choice of disciplines is determined by the planned specialization.
• IB (International Baccalaureate). In the classroom, children acquire knowledge in the natural sciences, humanities and separately in the future university profile. The program consists of six subjects — native language, foreign language, mathematics and three elective subjects. Three academic disciplines are studied at the basic level and three at the advanced level. The three mandatory elements are: EE (extended essay), TOK (course of theory of knowledge) and CAS ("Creativity. Action. Service" — social, community work, art, sports). At the end of the second academic year, students take exams.
• Cambridge Pre-U - one of the new alternative courses for high school students, which many schools in Wales are engaged in. It was developed by the Cambridge International Examination Commission taking into account the world practice of obtaining secondary education. The program quickly gained popularity. It has been recognized by many American universities. Students choose three out of 27 disciplines. Additional courses are added to them, which are not included in the diploma. At the end of the studying, it is required not only to pass exams, but also to provide a portfolio on the subject of "Global Perspectives", as well as scientific research. After all of the above, high school students are awarded a diploma.

Laura Galindo

Marketing Director

What makes English so special for families from all over the world?

In 2023, statistics show there are about 1.5 billion people around the world who speak English both natively and as a second language. English is the global language for business, tourism, aviation, sciences, and media (to name a few).

It is most essential for families in that this will allow for the younger generations to have innumerable employment opportunities within and outside their birth country.

It is legally approved that students living and studying in Wales can pay no more than 1,255 pounds annually for their studies; subsidies are also provided for students who have chosen Welsh as the main language of instruction. Thus, the cost of studying here is quite acceptable.

The state cordially welcomes foreign students and applicants — the choice of educational directions here is quite wide, and the requirements are quite standard. You will need to provide a school certificate for the 11th grade, all diplomas and certificates, as well as confirm a high language level by passing a profile exam.

The foreign students need to pass language test and personal interview. In case of enrolment on the program GCSE, it is necessary to pass examination tests in natural sciences and mathematics, on the A-level - in four disciplines. Foreign applicants with an insufficient level of English are recommended to first receive intensive language studying in special international centers (based on ranking educational institutions). At the same time, the studying will take place simultaneously with the standard academic program.

Depending on the requirements of a particular private school in Wales, the package of documents for studying in England may vary.

Main documents are as following:

• Report card (may contain grades for the last 2-3 years of study), at the same time, they may ask for a transcript: number of hours, name of disciplines;
• Certificate of international standard (confirms the level of proficiency in English), passing scores may vary depending on the educational institution;
• Letters of recommendation (a characteristic may be required not only from the class teacher, but also from the school principal, teachers of mathematics and English);
• A motivational letter in free form (in it the child must state why he wants to enroll in this particular school and what he expects from studying in the future).