Across the UK there are five stages of education: early years, primary, secondary,
Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE). Education is compulsory for all
children between the ages of 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) and 16. FE is not compulsory
and covers non-advanced education which can be taken at further (including tertiary)
education colleges and HE institutions (HEIs). The fifth stage, HE, is study beyond
GCE A levels and their equivalent which, for most full-time students, takes place in
universities and other HEIs and colleges.