The term ‘school’ is normally used in Scotland to describe state or private education, both primary and secondary, which concludes at ages sixteen. … Scotland provides free education to all children living in Scotland and has done so as early as the 17th century.
Why that country suitable for high education
A major reason to study in Scotland is to be part of world-renowned research. Researchers in Scottish universities are responsible for many world-changing innovations, such as the MRI scanner and keyhole surgery.
Scotland’s economic performance is now stronger than – or just as good as – the UK on key measures: even excluding the contribution of North Sea oil and gas, output per head in Scotland is 99 percent of the UK average and the highest in the UK outside London and the South East.
The whole of the UK is classed as one country – even though the school systems vary in each nation – but with Scotland’s performance so similar to England’s this makes little difference to the world ranking. The UK overall is in 26th place for maths, 23rd for reading, and 21st for science.