At what age do most people leave high school/enter university?

Hi, this is just a question out of interest.

At what age would the typical student in the UK finish secondary school/A levels? Here in Ontario, Canada, we used to have a five-year high school programme, but they've recently got rid of that and now most people will be graduating when they're 17/18 years of age.

I've seen people make references to the 'extra year' spent in UK high schools, but what does that mean? Does the average person finish when they're 18/19? And is that why there is the three-year degree in the UK compared to four years here?

Hehe, just trying to make sense of some trivial little things in case I do end up studying in England this year.

Reply 1

JennLlama

Almost everyone in England finishes aged 18 and will start University aged 18, though I guess some must be 19 cos there are no 17 year olds usually! (In Scotland however, people may finish at 17 and will begin University aged 17 or 18 usually).
Jenn xx

Reply 2

Dr. Blazed

You finish school in the academic year you're 18, but a lot of people have a gap year before they go to uni, and mature students are commonplace nowadays. So although you're 'supposed' to go in the year you're 19, many people don't.

Reply 3

satyricon

Yeah, gap years are more and more common here. A lot of my friends just don't know if they'll be ready to go to uni when a lot of them will still be 17... especially considering you're not (legally) able to drink till 19!

Thanks for the replies.