United Kingdom Education System Changes & Policy Tracker
The United Kingdom has a devolved education system with distinct policy, curriculum, assessment and funding arrangements in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. School education is broadly structured around primary, secondary and post-16 pathways, but qualification systems and governance differ by nation. For tracking purposes, the UK requires separate monitoring of national ministries, exam regulators, school calendars, higher education bodies and post-16 skills policy.
Country Education Profile
| Official Name | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| ISO Code | GB |
| Region | Europe |
| Subregion | Northern Europe |
| Capital / Seat | London |
| Compulsory Education | Education is devolved. England, Wales and Scotland generally require education from around age 5 to 16, while England also requires participation in education or training until 18. Northern Ireland has an earlier compulsory starting age, generally from age 4, and compulsory education continues until 16. |
| School Structure | The United Kingdom has four related but separate school systems. England and Wales commonly use early years, primary, secondary and post-16 sixth form or college stages. Scotland uses early learning and childcare, primary P1-P7 and secondary S1-S6. Northern Ireland uses pre-school, primary P1-P7 and post-primary Years 8-14. |
| Academic Year | School calendars vary by nation, local authority and school type. England and Wales usually run from September to July, Scotland commonly from mid-August to late June, and Northern Ireland from early September to late June. |
| Main Exams | Major qualifications include GCSEs and A levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with national differences in regulation and grading. Scotland uses National Qualifications, including National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher. University admission is commonly coordinated through UCAS, while some courses use additional entry tests or interviews. |
| Higher Education | Universities are autonomous and regulated or funded through devolved arrangements. England is regulated by the Office for Students, Scotland is funded through the Scottish Funding Council, Wales is overseen by Medr, and Northern Ireland higher education policy sits with the Department for the Economy. UK higher education follows bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree cycles. |
| Vocational Education | Vocational and technical education is delivered through further education colleges, apprenticeships, school sixth forms, training providers and work-based routes. England includes T Levels and apprenticeships, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland operate their own skills, qualifications and apprenticeship frameworks. |
| Digital Education | Digital education is managed separately across the UK. England uses national digital services and optional resources such as Oak National Academy, Wales uses Hwb, Scotland uses Glow, and Northern Ireland uses regional digital learning and school technology services. |
| Governance | Education is highly devolved. The UK Government Department for Education is responsible mainly for England, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland operate separate ministries, regulators, curricula, qualification systems and school administration arrangements. |
| International Student Note | The United Kingdom is a major international higher education destination. International students should check UCAS deadlines, institutional entry requirements, tuition fee status, visa sponsorship and country-specific student finance rules. |
| Last Verified | 2026-07-06 |
Latest Education Changes
DfE Updated Free School Meals Guidance for the 2026 to 2027 Expansion (United Kingdom, June 2026)
The Department for Education updated guidance confirming that from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to a free school meal in covered settings.
Scotland Published Updated Guidance for Phone-Free Learning Before Planned Legislation (United Kingdom, June 2026)
The Scottish Government published updated national guidance encouraging schools to restrict mobile phone use during teaching and learning time at a minimum, ahead of planned legislation.
Scotland Reported Nearly 30,000 More Pupils Benefiting from Free Instrumental Music Tuition (United Kingdom, June 2026)
The Scottish Government reported that participation in school instrumental music tuition rose to more than 70,000 learners after fees were abolished and annual investment of up to £12 million continued.
Scotland Shared Early Curriculum Materials and Set Out Next Steps for 2028 Reform (United Kingdom, June 2026)
The Scottish Government announced that early samples of new curriculum materials had been shared with councils as part of the most significant Scottish curriculum reform in more than a decade.
DfE Published Guidance on SEND Inclusion Bases and Inclusive Learning Spaces (United Kingdom, June 2026)
The Department for Education announced first-of-its-kind guidance on dedicated teaching and support spaces for children and young people with SEND.
Northern Ireland Funded Research-Informed Conferences Across More Than 300 Schools (United Kingdom, June 2026)
Northern Ireland announced funding for over 300 schools across 53 clusters to host Research-Informed Conferences during the 2026 to 2027 academic year.
Northern Ireland Announced a Review of School Behaviour Policy and Practice (United Kingdom, June 2026)
Northern Ireland's Education Minister announced a review of behaviour policy and practice across schools, with independent advice to inform updated policy and guidance.
DfE Announced 3,000 Additional Surprise Ofsted Nursery Visits (United Kingdom, June 2026)
The Department for Education announced more than £8 million a year for early years safeguarding, including 3,000 additional unannounced Ofsted nursery visits, stronger checks and faster action.
Monthly Change Archive
United Kingdom Education System Statistics
The United Kingdom has four devolved education systems: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This module uses UK-wide official statistics where a common series exists, and separate devolved source data where school structure, census coverage, qualifications, or governance differ. Source years differ across school, further education, higher education, finance, and adult attainment datasets.
Education System Snapshot
Values use the latest source year available for each series. UK-wide school figures below refer to maintained schools unless the note states a different coverage.
Education System Pathway
The UK pathway cannot be reduced to one school ladder. Ages below are typical ranges used to compare the four systems.
Education is devolved. The UK has shared statistical reporting for some indicators, but curriculum, school census rules, inspection, qualifications, and funding routes vary by nation.
Governance and Responsibility Map
Education responsibilities are split by nation and sector. UK-wide totals should be read with this governance structure in view.
England
Department for Education leads school and skills policy. Ofqual regulates qualifications and assessments. Ofsted inspects schools and further education providers. The Office for Students regulates higher education providers in England.
Scotland
The Scottish Government leads school policy. Local authorities operate most public schools. The Scottish Qualifications Authority manages National Qualifications. The Scottish Funding Council funds further and higher education.
Wales
The Welsh Government leads school policy and the Curriculum for Wales. Estyn inspects education and training. Qualifications Wales regulates general and vocational qualifications. Medr covers tertiary education and research funding functions.
Northern Ireland
The Department of Education covers pre-school, primary, and post-primary education. The Education Authority has operational roles. The Department for the Economy covers further and higher education. CCEA supports curriculum, examinations, and assessment.
Pupil-Teacher Ratios by UK Nation
Pupils per teacher in maintained schools, academic year 2024/25.
The DfE UK release reports pupil-teacher ratios by nation because education systems and teacher census coverage differ across the UK.
Chart analysis
- Scotland reported the lowest ratio in the UK-wide maintained-school series at 13.3.
- Wales reported the highest ratio in this series at 18.9.
- Ratios are descriptive staffing indicators and should not be converted into outcome rankings.
Higher Education Student Mix by Level
Share of UK HE students in further education colleges or higher education providers, academic year 2023/24.
Percentages are rounded in the DfE release, so the displayed shares may not sum exactly to 100%.
Chart analysis
- First degree programmes accounted for the largest reported share at 64%.
- Master’s and other postgraduate courses accounted for 25% of reported HE students.
- Higher education counts should be kept separate from school enrollment and further education counts.
National Education System Indicators
This table combines UK-wide official series with selected devolved and international indicators. The source-year column identifies the reporting period for each row.
| Area | Indicator | Value | Unit | Source year | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governance | Devolved school systems | 4 | Systems | 2025 release | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland operate separate education systems. |
| Schools | Maintained schools across the UK | 29,532 | Schools | Academic year 2024/25 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Maintained-school coverage; not a count of every independent provider. |
| Schools | Maintained-school annual change | -47 | Schools | 2024/25 vs 2023/24 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Equivalent to a 0.2% decrease in the reported series. |
| Pupils | Maintained-pupil change across the UK | -48,205 | Pupils | 2022/23 to 2024/25 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | DfE cautions against some 2023/24 UK-level comparisons because Northern Ireland data was incomplete for some phases. |
| Teachers | FTE teachers in maintained schools | 565,523 | FTE teachers | Academic year 2024/25 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Full-time equivalent count across maintained schools. |
| Teachers | FTE teacher annual change | -1,390 | FTE teachers | 2024/25 vs 2023/24 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Equivalent to a 0.25% decrease in the reported series. |
| Teachers | Female share of FTE teachers | 74% | Percent of FTE teachers | Academic year 2024/25 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | All maintained-school phases combined. |
| Teachers | Female share of primary FTE teachers | 85% | Percent of primary FTE teachers | Academic year 2024/25 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Primary-level teacher workforce in the UK maintained-school series. |
| Teachers | Female share of secondary FTE teachers | 64% | Percent of secondary FTE teachers | Academic year 2024/25 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Secondary-level teacher workforce in the UK maintained-school series. |
| Pupil-teacher ratio | England maintained-school PTR | 18.0 | Pupils per teacher | Academic year 2024/25 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Nation-level ratio reported in the UK series. |
| Pupil-teacher ratio | Scotland maintained-school PTR | 13.3 | Pupils per teacher | Academic year 2024/25 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Nation-level ratio reported in the UK series. |
| Pupil-teacher ratio | Wales maintained-school PTR | 18.9 | Pupils per teacher | Academic year 2024/25 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Nation-level ratio reported in the UK series. |
| Pupil-teacher ratio | Northern Ireland maintained-school PTR | 17.1 | Pupils per teacher | Academic year 2024/25 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Nation-level ratio reported in the UK series. |
| Further education | UK FE student annual change | -0.1% | Percent change | 2023/24 vs 2022/23 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Further education student numbers stayed close to the prior year in the UK total. |
| Further education | Female share of FE students | 55% | Percent of FE students | Academic year 2023/24 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | All reported UK FE students in the DfE release. |
| Higher education | HE students in UK FE colleges or HE providers | 2.99M | Students | Academic year 2023/24 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Coverage includes higher education in FE colleges or HE providers. |
| Higher education | First-degree share of HE students | 64% | Percent of HE students | Academic year 2023/24 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Rounded source value. |
| Higher education | Master’s or other postgraduate share | 25% | Percent of HE students | Academic year 2023/24 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Rounded source value. |
| Higher education | PhD share of HE students | 4% | Percent of HE students | Academic year 2023/24 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Rounded source value. |
| Higher education | Other undergraduate share | 8% | Percent of HE students | Academic year 2023/24 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Rounded source value; shares may not sum exactly to 100%. |
| Higher education | Female share of HE students | 56% | Percent of HE students | Academic year 2023/24 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | All reported UK HE students in the DfE release. |
| Higher education | HE provider enrolments | 2,904,425 | Student enrolments | Academic year 2023/24 | HESA | HE providers only; not identical to the DfE HE-including-FE-colleges total. |
| Adult attainment | Adults aged 19–64 qualified to Level 4+ | 50% | Percent | Q4 2024 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Adult attainment is survey-based and should not be merged with school enrollment counts. |
| Adult attainment | Adults aged 19–64 qualified to Level 3+ | 68% | Percent | Q4 2024 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Highest qualification measure. |
| Adult attainment | Adults aged 19–64 qualified to Level 2+ | 84% | Percent | Q4 2024 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Highest qualification measure. |
| Finance | Government education expenditure annual change | +3.8% | Nominal percent change | FY 2024–25 vs FY 2023–24 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Government expenditure across the UK. |
| Finance | Government education expenditure real-terms change | -0.3% | Real-terms percent change | FY 2024–25 vs FY 2023–24 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Real-terms measure in the DfE release. |
| Finance | Government education expenditure as share of GDP | 4.1% | Percent of GDP | FY 2024–25 | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Government expenditure measure; not the same definition as OECD total investment. |
| Finance | OECD primary-to-tertiary education investment | 6.1% | Percent of GDP | OECD 2025 country note | OECD Education at a Glance | OECD total education investment definition differs from the DfE government-expenditure series. |
| Finance | Expenditure per student, primary to post-secondary non-tertiary | USD 13,063 | USD per student | OECD 2025 country note | OECD Education at a Glance | OECD comparable expenditure measure. |
| Finance | Total expenditure per tertiary student | USD 35,350 | USD per student | OECD 2025 country note | OECD Education at a Glance | Includes R&D in OECD tertiary expenditure definition. |
| Finance | Government expenditure per tertiary student | USD 7,896 | USD per student | OECD 2025 country note | OECD Education at a Glance | OECD government expenditure measure. |
| Finance | Government funding share before transfers, primary to post-secondary non-tertiary | 86.4% | Percent of total funding | OECD 2025 country note | OECD Education at a Glance | OECD funding-source definition. |
| Finance | Public funding share after transfers, pre-primary education | 70.3% | Percent of funding | OECD 2025 country note | OECD Education at a Glance | OECD funding-source definition. |
| Finance | Public funding share before transfers, tertiary education | 44% | Percent of funding | OECD 2025 country note | OECD Education at a Glance | OECD funding-source definition. |
| International students | International or foreign share of tertiary students | 23.4% | Percent of tertiary students | 2023 | OECD Education at a Glance | OECD mobility definition may differ from HESA domicile groups. |
| England | Pupils across all school types | Over 8.9M | Pupils | January 2026 | DfE Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics | England-only school census release; includes state-funded and independent schools. |
| England | Schools across all school types | 24,499 | Schools | January 2026 | DfE Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics | England-only release. |
| England | Pupils eligible for free school meals | 26.5% | Percent of pupils | January 2026 | DfE Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics | Represents over 2.2 million pupils in the England release. |
| Scotland | Pupils in public school census series | 695,923 | Pupils | 2025 | Scottish Government | Primary, secondary, and special pupils in the Scottish pupil and teacher characteristics release. |
| Scotland | Teachers in public school census series | 53,475 | Teachers | 2025 | Scottish Government | Teacher count in the Scottish release. |
| Scotland | Scotland pupil-teacher ratio | 13.2 | Pupils per teacher | 2025 | Scottish Government | Scottish Government release; differs slightly from DfE UK series timing. |
| Wales | All schools | 1,534 | Schools | January 2025 | Welsh Government | Includes 1,449 maintained schools and 85 independent schools. |
| Wales | All pupils | 469,824 | Pupils | January 2025 | Welsh Government | Includes maintained and independent schools. |
| Wales | Maintained-school pupils | 460,091 | Pupils | January 2025 | Welsh Government | Maintained schools only. |
| Wales | FTE qualified teachers in maintained schools | 23,729 | FTE teachers | January 2025 | Welsh Government | Qualified teachers in maintained schools. |
| Wales | Pupils with ALN or SEN in maintained schools | 43,885 | Pupils | January 2025 | Welsh Government | Represents 9.5% of maintained-school pupils in the Welsh release. |
| Northern Ireland | Grant-aided school enrolment release coverage | School and funded pre-school enrolment | Administrative census | 2024/25 | Department of Education NI | Final enrolment bulletin covers grant-aided schools and funded pre-school education. |
Education Levels and Typical Routes
The UK level map below uses typical ages. Local rules, school organization, and qualification names vary by nation.
| Level | Typical age | Years or stages | International alignment | Authority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early childhood and pre-primary | Usually 3–5 | Nursery, reception, early learning and childcare, funded pre-school | ISCED 0 where applicable | Devolved administrations and local delivery bodies | Entitlements, terminology, and start ages differ by nation. |
| Primary education | 4/5–11/12 | England/Wales Years 1–6; Scotland P1–P7; Northern Ireland P1–P7 | Usually ISCED 1 | Nation-level policy; local authorities or education bodies support delivery | Northern Ireland has an earlier compulsory starting age than the other UK nations. |
| Lower secondary education | 11/12–14 | Key Stage 3 or Broad General Education route | Usually ISCED 2 | Devolved curriculum bodies | Scotland uses Curriculum for Excellence stages rather than the same key-stage structure as England. |
| Upper secondary compulsory stage | 14–16 | GCSE route or Scottish National Qualifications route | Usually ISCED 3 lower part | Ofqual, Qualifications Wales, CCEA, SQA, and devolved administrations | England, Wales, and Northern Ireland commonly use GCSEs; Scotland uses National Qualifications. |
| Post-16 general education | 16–18 | Sixth form, college, S5/S6, Years 13–14, Highers, Advanced Highers, A levels | Usually ISCED 3 | Devolved administrations and qualification regulators | England requires participation in education or training until 18, but school attendance itself can end earlier. |
| Technical and vocational education | Usually 16+ | Further education, apprenticeships, technical qualifications, work-based routes | ISCED 3–5 depending on programme | Devolved skills and education bodies | T Levels are England-specific; other vocational routes vary across the UK. |
| Short-cycle tertiary and other undergraduate | Usually 18+ | Foundation degrees, HNC/HND, certificates, diplomas, other undergraduate study | Often ISCED 5 or first-cycle tertiary depending on award | Higher education and tertiary regulators by nation | Provision can occur in colleges or HE providers. |
| Bachelor’s or equivalent | Usually 18+ | First degree | ISCED 6 | Degree-awarding institutions and national regulators | A standard honours degree is often three years in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and four years in many Scottish routes. |
| Master’s or equivalent | Post-bachelor or integrated route | Taught master’s, research master’s, integrated master’s | ISCED 7 | Degree-awarding institutions and national regulators | HESA and DfE higher education measures label postgraduate categories separately. |
| Doctoral or equivalent | Post-master’s or research pathway | PhD and other doctoral study | ISCED 8 | Degree-awarding institutions and research funding bodies | DfE reports PhD students as 4% of UK HE students in 2023/24. |
Exams, Qualifications, and Transitions
The UK has no single national school-leaving exam or single national university entrance exam. Major qualifications and transitions are managed by devolved regulators, awarding bodies, institutions, and admissions services.
| Transition | Exam or process | Typical stage | Managing authority | Purpose | Source note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary to secondary | Admissions process varies | Age 11 in England, Wales, Northern Ireland; age 11/12 in Scotland | Local authorities, schools, trusts, or education bodies depending on nation and school type | Placement into secondary or post-primary education | No UK-wide selection exam. |
| End of lower secondary or broad general stage | Subject choices and curriculum progression | Around ages 13–14 | Schools and devolved curriculum authorities | Selection of later secondary subjects or qualification pathways | Stage names and curriculum structure differ by nation. |
| England upper secondary completion | GCSEs | Year 11, age 16 | Awarding organisations regulated by Ofqual | General secondary qualifications and post-16 progression | Ofqual regulates qualifications, examinations, and assessments in England. |
| Wales upper secondary completion | GCSEs and Welsh qualifications | Year 11, age 16 | Qualifications Wales and awarding bodies | General secondary qualifications and post-16 progression | Qualifications Wales regulates general and vocational qualifications in Wales. |
| Northern Ireland upper secondary completion | GCSEs | Year 12, age 16 | CCEA and other regulated awarding bodies | General secondary qualifications and post-16 progression | Northern Ireland uses its own curriculum and examination arrangements. |
| Scotland senior phase qualifications | National 4, National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher | S4–S6 | Scottish Qualifications Authority | Secondary qualifications, college entry, apprenticeship routes, and higher education entry | SQA describes Highers as standard entry requirements for higher education in Scotland. |
| Post-16 academic route | A levels, Highers, Advanced Highers, AS levels, and other nation-specific awards | Ages 16–18 | Qualification regulators and awarding bodies by nation | Progression to higher education, employment, apprenticeships, or further study | Qualification names and regulatory coverage differ by nation. |
| Technical and vocational transition | Technical qualifications, apprenticeships, college awards | Usually 16+ | Devolved education and skills authorities | Occupational training, skilled employment, and further study | T Levels are England-specific; vocational routes differ elsewhere. |
| Higher education admission | Institutional admissions using qualifications and applications | Usually age 18+ | Universities, colleges, and admissions services | Entry to degree and other tertiary programmes | The UK does not use one central national university entrance exam. |
Source-Year Crosswalk
The crosswalk identifies which dataset supports each major group of indicators.
| Indicator group | Source | Collection type | Source year | Coverage | Use in module |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK schools, pupils, teachers, FE, HE, attainment, finance | DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK | Compiled official statistics | 2024/25 schools; 2023/24 FE and HE; Q4 2024 attainment; FY 2024–25 finance | United Kingdom, with devolved source inputs | Snapshot cards, main indicator table, pupil-teacher chart, finance notes |
| England schools and pupils | DfE Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics | School census and related returns | January 2026 | England; all school types in headline values | England pupil, school, and free-school-meal indicators |
| Scotland pupils and teachers | Scottish Government Pupil and Teacher Characteristics | Annual pupil and teacher census | 2025 | Scotland, public school census series | Scotland pupil, teacher, and ratio indicators |
| Wales schools, pupils, teachers, ALN/SEN | Welsh Government Schools’ Census Results | PLASC and independent school return | January 2025 | Wales; all-school headline values and maintained-school detail | Wales school, pupil, teacher, and ALN/SEN indicators |
| Northern Ireland school enrolment | Department of Education NI annual enrolment bulletin | School census bulletin | 2024/25 | Grant-aided schools and funded pre-school education in Northern Ireland | Coverage note and devolved source mapping |
| HE provider enrolments | HESA Higher Education Student Statistics | Higher education provider data | 2023/24 | UK HE providers | HE provider enrolment indicator and source note |
| International comparison and finance | OECD Education at a Glance | Internationally harmonized indicators | OECD 2025 country note; underlying indicator years vary | United Kingdom in OECD reporting | GDP share, per-student expenditure, funding-source shares, international/foreign student share |
Data Interpretation Notes
These notes describe how the UK figures should be read before comparing indicators across levels or nations.
UK-wide totals are not always uniform
Some UK totals are compiled from separate devolved datasets. School phases, census coverage, maintained-school definitions, and qualification routes are not identical across the four systems.
School, academic, fiscal, and survey years differ
School figures use academic-year or census timing. Finance values use financial years. Adult attainment uses a Q4 2024 survey period. HE and FE values use academic-year reporting.
Finance definitions differ by source
DfE government expenditure as a share of GDP is not the same measure as OECD total education investment. OECD per-student figures use its own comparable definitions and currency units.
Charts are descriptive
Pupil-teacher ratios, expenditure, and enrollment shares describe system features. They do not measure school quality by themselves and should not be used as causal evidence.
Sources and Methodology
DfE Education and Training Statistics for the UK
Supports UK-wide maintained-school counts, teacher counts, pupil-teacher ratios, FE and HE headline indicators, adult attainment, and government education expenditure.
DfE Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics
Supports England-only school and pupil indicators for January 2026, including school count, pupil count, and free-school-meal eligibility.
Scottish Government Pupil and Teacher Characteristics 2025
Supports Scotland pupil, teacher, pupil-teacher ratio, and primary class-size indicators from the annual school census series.
Welsh Government Schools’ Census Results: January 2025
Supports Wales school, pupil, teacher, free-school-meal, Welsh-medium, and ALN/SEN indicators.
Department of Education Northern Ireland School Enrolments 2024/25
Supports the Northern Ireland enrolment coverage note for grant-aided schools and funded pre-school education.
HESA Higher Education Student Statistics: UK 2023/24
Supports HE provider enrolment values and separates provider-only higher education data from the DfE HE-including-FE-colleges total.
OECD Education at a Glance 2025: United Kingdom
Supports internationally comparable finance, funding-source, and international or foreign tertiary student indicators.
Ofqual
Supports the England qualifications and examinations responsibility note.
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Supports the Scotland National Qualifications, Higher, and Advanced Higher transition notes.
Qualifications Wales
Supports the Wales qualifications regulation note.
Values are reported in the source unit and source year shown in the tables. Percentages are rounded where the source reports rounded figures. UK-wide school totals generally refer to maintained schools, while England 2026 school headline figures include all school types. OECD values use harmonized definitions and should not be merged with national finance series without a stated method.
Do not merge UK indicators from different school years, academic years, fiscal years, survey years, sectors, or source systems without a stated method. Devolved education datasets can use different coverage rules, so national summaries should be read as source-defined indicators rather than direct performance rankings.