The English writer George Orwell stated that England is “the most classist country under the sun”. In fact, it seems that not much has changed since the first half of the 20th century. “Classes have changed. But the barriers between them are made of the same clay: money, education, family and work.” (a class act) In English education the separation of systems is equivalent to the separation of classes. (a class act) The system that should guarantee equal opportunities to students disappoints and creates barriers and obstacles. It is becoming increasingly difficult to overlook the “social apartheid” created among people. This essay will cover the following aspect of elitism in the English education system. The emphasis will still be on England as far as the United Kingdom is concerned. In the first part of the analysis we will examine the contrasting attitudes towards higher education between privately educated and fully educated pupils and their chances of applying to university. The second part will show students' feelings and prejudices towards the most renowned universities. The final level of analysis will illustrate the importance of academic roots in the case of the UK's most influential people. “Success is the marriage of money” (a class act) “The Level”, research conducted by Wilkinson and Pickett in 2006, the aim of which was to represent the level of equality in several selected countries compared to the United Kingdom. As a result, the latter was put in a bad light. As income inequality has increased there has been almost zero social mobility, which has left the UK far behind Norway, Sweden or Denmark. This state is closely connected to the education system in English...... middle of paper ......issues by stage: access to higher educationWilkinson, Richard and Kate Pickett. “The Level: Why Equality Is Better for Everyone.” (2011): n. page 2009. Network. 11 May 2014. Social mobility is greater in more equal rich countries Wintour, Patrick. “The lack of social mobility in the UK is due to entrenched elitism, says Alan Milburn.” Theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, 13 November 2013. Web. 06 May 2014. "You're too elitist - Hodge." Times of higher education. Np, June 28, 2002. Web. May 8, 2014. .Young, Toby. “Can free schools ensure a more just society?” (nd): n. page Network. 06 May 2014. .