United Kingdom Student

the new graduates of europa-institut in germany gather throw mortar boards in air part of graduation ceremony

traditionally, term student reserved people studying @ university level in united kingdom.

at universities in uk, term fresher used informally describe new students beginning first year. although not unusual call fresher after first few weeks @ university, typically referred first years or first year students .

the ancient scottish university of st andrews uses terms bejant first year (from french bec-jaune  – yellow beak , fledgling ). second years called semi-bejants , third years known tertians , , fourth years, or others in final year of study, called magistrands .

in england , wales, primary school begins optional nursery year followed reception , move on year one, year 2 , on until year 6 . in state schools, children join secondary school when 11–12 years old in used called first form , known year 7 . go year 11 (formerly fifth form ) , join sixth form, either @ same school or @ separate sixth form college. pupil entering private, fee-paying school (usually @ age 13) join third form — equivalent year 9. many schools have alternate name first years, derogatory basis, in others acting merely description — example shells (non-derogatory) or grubs (derogatory).

in northern ireland , scotland, similar differences. pupils start off in nursery or reception aged 3 4, , start primary school in p1 (p standing primary) or year 1. continue primary school until p7 or year 7. after start secondary school @ 11 years old, called 1st year or year 8 in northern ireland, or s1 in scotland. continue secondary school until age of 16 @ 5th year , year 12 or s5 , , choice of individual pupil decide continue in school , (in northern ireland) levels (known lower sixth ) , next year levels (known upper sixth ). in scotland, students aged 16–18 take highers, followed advanced highers. alternatively, pupils can leave , go full-time employment or start in technical college.

large increases in size of student populations in uk , effect has had on university towns or on areas of cities located near universities have become concern in uk since 2000. report universities uk, studentification: guide opportunities, challenges , practice (2006) has explored subject , made various recommendations. particular problem in many locations seen impact of students on availability, quality , price of rented , owner-occupied property.