STUDENTS

A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term (or its cognate in another language) is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English (or an equivalent in other languages). In its widest use, student is used for anyone who is learning.

Australia

In Australia, after kindergarten or preschool, children begin primary school, starting with ‘grade prep’ (in New South Wales the first year is called ‘kindergarten’, and in South Australia the first year is called ‘reception’) and continuing ‘year one’, ‘year two’ through to ‘year six’, except in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland, where they go through to ‘year seven’. They then move on to secondary school (also known as high school) for ‘year seven’ (‘year eight’ in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland) through to ‘year twelve’. Year eight to ten’s are all referred to as juniors and year eleven and twelve are referred to as seniors. After year twelve, students may pursue tertiary education at university or TAFE (technical and further education). Children in primary and secondary school are all referred to as students. The term student is used for all learners including those in primary school, secondary school, an

Canada

In Canada, special terms are occasionally used. In English provinces, the high school (known as academy or secondary school) years can be referred to simply as first, second, third, and fourth year. Some areas call it by grade such as grade 10, grade 11, and grade 12. , Grades 9 through 12 are considered high school, with grades 1 through 6 called “elementary school” and grades 6 through 8 called “middle school” or “junior high school” in some provinces. In university, students are classified as first-, second-, third-, or fourth-year students. In some occasions, they can be called “senior ones”, “twos”, “threes”, and “fours”. The first week of university for first year students is commonly known as Orientation week.

Europe

United Kingdom

In the past, the term “student” was reserved for people studying at university level in the United Kingdom. Children studying at school were called “pupils” or “schoolchildren” (or “schoolboys” or “schoolgirls”). However, the American English use of the word “student” to include pupils of all ages, even at elementary level, is now spreading to other countries, and is found in the UK (particularly in the state sector), as well as Australia and Singapore. In South Africa, the term “learner” is also used.
In England and Wales, teenagers who attend a college or secondary school for further education are typically called “sixth formers”. If pupils follow the average pattern of school attendance, pupils will be in the “lower sixth” between the ages of 16 and 17, and the “upper sixth” between 17 and 18, however many schools still refer to them as “year 12” and “year 13” or “AS” and “A2”. They “go up” to university after the upper sixth.
In Scotland, pupils sit Highers at the end of fifth year (when aged 16–17) after which it is possible for them to gain entry to university. However, many do not achieve the required grades and remain at school for sixth year. Even among those that do achieve the necessary grades it is common to remain at school and undertake further study (i.e. other subjects or Advanced Highers) and then start university at the same time as their friends and peers.
At universities in the UK, the term “fresher” is used informally to describe new students who are just beginning their first year. Although it is not unusual to call someone a fresher after their first few weeks at university, they are typically referred to as “first years” or “first year students”. There is little derogatory connotation to this name in the UK, except for an occasional reference to “freshers” in a tone that implies naivety. More commonly, it will be used in a kindly fashion. For instance, a university official might ask a student if they are a fresher without any hint of a put down.
The ancient Scottish University of St Andrews uses the terms “bejant” for a first year (from the French “bec-jaune“ – “yellow beak”, “fledgling”). Second years are called “semi-bejants”, third years are known as “tertians”, and fourth years, or others in their final year of study, are called “magistrands”.
In England and Wales, primary school begins with an optional “nursery” year followed by reception (similar to kindergarten) and then move on to “year one, year two” and so on until “year six”. In state schools, children join secondary school when they are 11–12 years old in what used to be called “first form” and is now known as “year 7”. They go up to year 11 (formerly “fifth form”) and then join the sixth form, either at the same school or at a separate sixth form college. A student entering a private, fee-paying school (usually at age 13) would join the “third form” — equivalent to year 9. Many schools have an alternate name for first years, some with a derogatory basis, but in others acting merely as a description — for example “shells” (non-derogatory) or “grubs” (derogatory).
In Northern Ireland and Scotland, it is very similar but with some differences. Pupils start off in nursery or reception aged 3 to 4, and then start primary school in “P1” (P standing for primary) or year 1. They then continue primary school until “P7” or year 7. After that they start secondary school at 11 years old, this is called “1st year” or year 8 in Northern Ireland, or “S1” in Scotland. They continue secondary school until the age of 16 at “5th year”, year 12 or “S5”, and then it is the choice of the individual pupil to decide to continue in school and (in Northern Ireland) do AS levels (known as “lower sixth”) and then the next year to do A levels (known as “upper sixth”). In Scotland, students aged 16-18 take Highers, followed by Advanced Highers. Alternatively, pupils can leave and go into full time employment or to start in a technical collage.
Large increases in the size of student populations in the UK and the effect this has had on some university towns or on areas of cities located near universities have become a concern in the UK since 2000. A report by Universities UK, “Studentification: A Guide to Opportunities, Challenges and Practice” (2006) has explored the subject and made various recommendations.
A particular problem in many locations is seen as the impact of students on the availability, quality and price of rented and owner-occupied property.

Mature students

A mature, non-traditional, or adult student in tertiary education (at a university or a college) is normally classified as an (undergraduate) student who is at least 21–23 years old at the start of their course and usually having been out of the education system for at least two years. Mature students can also include students who have been out of the education system for decades, or students with no secondary education. Mature students also make up graduate and postgraduate