All countries in the UK have different laws to regulate the education system as it is a devolved matter. Across the UK, there are five stages of education:1. Early years: - 3–4 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.- 3–5 years in Scotland.- This stage includes nursery and is not compulsory.2. Primary: - Ages 4–11 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.- Ages 5–12 in Scotland.3. Secondary: - Ages 11–18 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.- Ages 12–18 in Scotland.4. Higher education (FE): - It is not compulsory. - It concerns non-advanced education and often represents a necessary qualification for some types of universities and careers. - It takes place in further education institutions (HEIs) and further education institutions. 5. Higher Education (HE): - It is not compulsory.- The educational institutions of this stage are universities, colleges and other higher education institutions. The "national curriculum", introduced in 1988, provides a common system for primary and secondary education in Wales and England, setting out the subjects and standards that children should achieve in each subject. Northern Ireland and Scotland use their own curriculum. Furthermore, there are two different groups of schools in the UK: state schools and independent schools. • State schools operate with public funds, providing free education to pupils. All children in England between the ages of 9 and 15 are entitled to attend free state schools, and around 93% of British students attend them. In England and Wales, state schools must follow the national curriculum. Includes: English, a modern foreign language, science, mathematics, geography, history, art and design, music, citizenship, design and...... middle of paper ......at a glance 2013• http :// www.oecd.org/edu/United%20Kingdom_EAG2013%20Country%20Note.pdf see good reference: google-> OECD Education atGately 2013: national note for the United Kingdom • http://www.bbc.co.uk /news/ education-23261287 see carefully how to refer.• http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/UniversitiesColleges/16640/financial-help• http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index /information- e-services/education-and-learning/higher-education/student-finance/what-you-could-obtain/unit-fees-and-other-expenses/university-fees-per-locality.htm• http ://www. telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/10160519/Private-school-pupils-get-better-degrees-and-jobs.html• see good reference• http://www.theguardian.com/news /datablog/2012/ may/22/social-mobility-data-charts• see reference• http://www.suttontrust.com/who-we-are/about-us/social-mobility/• see reference