This article introduces the basic structure and terminology of the education system in English-speaking countries, with comparisons to Chinese terms where helpful.
中小学
- Age 3: Nursery school (幼儿园)
- Age 5: Primary school (小学)
- Age 11: Secondary school / Pupils (中学)
- Age 16: College (学院) or Sixth Form (高中的最后两年)
- Age 18: University (大学)
College vs University
- College is usually smaller than a university and often only offers undergraduate degrees.
- University offers a wider range of subjects and both undergraduate and graduate (postgraduate) degrees.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degrees
- Undergraduate (本科): First degree, usually 3-4 years (e.g., BSc - Bachelor of Science)
- Postgraduate (研究生): Further study after the first degree, such as:
- MSc (Master of Science): 1-2 years, often career-oriented
- Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy): 3-8 years, research-oriented; required for most university teaching positions
Example:
He’s got a Ph.D. in computer science. She hopes to get a place at Oxford.
When you complete your first degree, you are a graduate. If you continue studying, you become a postgraduate student.
Masters vs PhD
A master degree needs 2 years to complete, often is career-oriented. Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) need 5 to 8 years to complete, it is research-oriented. Ph.D. is practically mandatory to become a postsecondary(高等教育) teacher, such as a professor.
Academic Year Structure
The school year is usually divided into three terms (periods of study), each about 13 weeks long.
GPA(Grade point average)
- To enter a better university after graduation, your GPA should be higher than 3.0 (about 80% or above).
Grade and Mark
During each lecture, there are exercises for you to practice. After each week one homework will be released. Exercises and homeworks have due time, they should be submitted before due. There are usually two mid-term exams and a final exam. If you get higher than 90%, you had a high mark or good grade.
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大学（university and college）
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本科（undergraduate）4 years degree, first degree
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BSc (Bachelor of Science): 3-4 years
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MSc (Master of Science): 1-2 years
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Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy): 3-8 years
He’s got a Ph.D. in computer science. She hopes to get a place at Oxford.
When you complete your first degree, you are a graduate. Some students then go on to do a second course or degree, called a postgraduate course/degree.
When people study one subject in great detail, we say they are doing research.
Research
When people study one subject in great detail, we say they are doing research.
School vs University
- In school, you have teachers and lessons.
- At university, you have lecturers (讲师) and lectures (讲座).
Professor and Faculty
- The head of a university department (also called a faculty, though less common in spoken English) is usually called a professor.
- Note: An ordinary teacher or lecturer is not a professor.
Professor(系主任)
The head of the department(also called a ‘faculty’(学院、系), but less common in spoken English) at a university is usually called a professor. (An ordinary teacher or lecturer is not a professor)
Summary Table
| Chinese Term | English Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 幼儿园 | Nursery school | Age 3 |
| 小学 | Primary school | Age 5 |
| 中学 | Secondary school | Age 11 |
| 学院 | College | Age 16+ |
| 大学 | University | Age 18+ |
| 本科 | Undergraduate | First degree |
| 研究生 | Postgraduate | MSc, Ph.D. |
| 教师 | Teacher | School |
| 讲师 | Lecturer | University |
| 教授 | Professor | Head of department/faculty |
This guide should help you understand the basic structure and terminology of education in English-speaking countries.