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Colleges in the UK
Liverpool College
We recognise that all pupils have different talents and strive to ensure that every pupil has an equal opportunity to find and develop the talents they do possess. We believe that the development of
Boston College Workbased Learning
Boston, Lincolnshire, East Midlands, PE21 6JF
At our main campus - Rochford, you will find our dedicated sixth form centre and university centre along with workshops and industry styled classrooms of our vocational courses. Peter Paine is our
Earl Mortimer College
Leominster, Herefordshire, West Midlands, HR6 8JJ
Ofsted Inspection - EMC is a GOOD school. TRANSPORT ANNOUNCEMENT - Are you eligible for free or subsidised transport to EMC? See our Admissions & Transport page for more information. Check out the
Peacock College UK
Dalston, East London, London, E8 2FD
Peacock College UK offers excellent opportunities in professional education to students all over the world. Situated in Hackney, London, the College provides vide variety of courses in Business
Glasgow Clyde College
Glasgow Clyde College is a multi-campus college with three sites in Anniesland, Cardonald and Langside. One of Scotland's largest further education institutions, the College was formed in August 2013
Bethnal Green Academy
Bethnal Green, East London, London, E2 6NW
Information about our school, a message from the Headteacher and our online prospectus. Our Sixth Form. Learn more about our brand new Sixth Form, download course guides and find out about the range
City Of Glasgow College
The College now has a fantastic portfolio of over 2,600 courses across a wide variety of areas which can be studied in various modes of attendance such as full time, part time, day release and
Marine Academy Plymouth
Plymouth, Devon, South West England, PL5 2AF
Marine Academy Plymouth is the UK's first Marine Academy; it's a state-funded specialist secondary school with three sponsors who are the Plymouth University, Cornwall College and Plymouth City
All Hallows Catholic College
Macclesfield, Cheshire, North West England, SK11 8LB
All Hallows Catholic College is an all-ability Voluntary Academy for boys and girls aged 11 to 18. In addition to our traditional Catholic community we are pleased to welcome students from other
The Northern College Of Creative Hypnotherapy
Stockport, Greater Manchester, North West England, SK7 1AH
I began my Foundation Course in 1989 with the Academy of Curative Hypnotherapy at The Tameside General Hospital Post Graduate Centre. Training in two widely different Hypnotherapy disciplines. I
College Kits Direct
Leicester, Leicestershire, East Midlands, LE8 6NU
At College Kits Direct, our aim is quite simply to offer the highest levels of customer service, professional quality products, all at very competetive prices. This will take you to our dedicated
Bath Dance College
Radstock, Somerset, South West England, BA3 3PH
Coming from Bath it was my ambition to provide an accessible, affordable, professional training facility within the South West. With professional vocational performing arts / drama schools previously
Iron Mill College
Exeter, Devon, South West England, EX1 1QT
The Iron Mill is a long established educational and training organisation and a place of high professional standards. It is known both nationally and internationally as a place of excellence and there
Sarum College
Salisbury, Wiltshire, South West England, SP1 2EE
Sarum College rose from the ashes of the Salisbury and Wells Theological College, which closed in the mid 1990s, and took over its library. The collection was begun in 1860 by the then-Bishop of
Blessed George
Banbury, Oxfordshire, South East England, OX16 9DG
A warm welcome to Blessed George Napier Catholic School and Sixth Form Specialist Sports College, an academy within The Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Company. We are a Catholic school and, as
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Many students from abroad, when visiting a foreign country for an exchange year or to simply enroll at a Bachelor or Masters degree course, or another type of an educational course, often find it difficult to figure out the educational system of the country hosting them as students. And this is totally normal and understandable. At the end of the day, the majority of the countries in the world follow their own educational system that may be similar to other countries in the world, but not necessarily exactly the same.
This is a common case when it comes to the term “college” in the UK. When students from the USA and many other countries in the world are asked to define what college is, they will quickly explain to you that college is the same thing as university. However, is it the same in the UK? Did you know that college in the UK is something different from university? Today we are about to explain the basic differences between a college and an university in the UK, so stay tuned if you are interested in this topic.
The Difference Between University and College in UK
Confusion about a foreign educational system is a common thing students from abroad face and they may feel intimidated by that. However, there is no place for worries, because things are often easy to explain and get used to. This applied for the difference between a college and a university in the UK. In many countries both terms are pretty much interchangeable and mean the same thing. Other countries simply never use the term college and they have universities only. However, when it comes to the UK, there are both a college and a university as a part of the educational system and they mean something different. Well, if you are an exchange student in the UK or going there to study for a degree, you will soon find out that the country has a pretty unique educational system and the college is not the only thing different here.
Before explaining more in-depth the difference between a university and a college in the UK, let’s get some basic understanding about the educational system in the country in general, about a university, and about a college. It is a very good and important beginning if you are interested in studying in the UK and getting a degree, because there are different options and opportunities and you can choose the one that best suits and meets your requirements and needs as a student. Both a university and a college can help you develop in different ways and achieve different goals. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference between a college and a university and make the right decision, depending on your plans for the future.
In general, the UK educational system is divided in five major stages as it follows: Early years, Primary years, Secondary School, Further education, Higher education. The first three stages of education in the UK are the base of what the world knows as compulsory education. What happens at the end of secondary school is that students will sit for GCSE or A-Levels exams and next they will be free to make the decisions and choices about their future. This is the first stage, where the difference between a college and a university in the UK is very apparent. Basically, the main thing that differs a college and a university in the UK is that both terms determine a different level of education in the country.
In the most common way around the world, students will move from secondary school to a university, if they wish so. However, the UK educational system throws one more option for students in the whole mix and this is the college. UK students face a few opportunities by the end of this period and they can either decide to simply find a job right away and not to follow further education plans, they can enroll at a higher education, which is a university, if they have taken their A-Levels, or they can choose to enroll at a further education course and gain particular set of skills needed to land a specific job and start a specific career, which in the UK is referred to as a college. With these options in mind, it is safe to say that there are a bunch of differences when we compare a college and a university in the UK. The main one is that both terms are used for different levels of education, however, both a college and a university will differ in the context of degrees, duration, study curriculums, and more.
What Makes a University Different Than a College
When it comes to the UK, national universities can offer two types of degrees – undergraduate degrees and postgraduate degrees. Some universities in the country can also offer some further and specific educational courses, such as foundation degrees.
College in the UK Explained
A college is an educational institution that offers further education courses that will lead to specific qualifications and degrees. With that in mind, a college is usually assumed to offer more practical skills and qualifications. College qualifications in the UK include the following: diploma, foundation degrees, GCSE, Higher National Certificate, Higher National Diploma, International Baccalaureate.
In general, college courses in the country are designed in a way that students can obtain a certain level of skills and qualifications in a particular field. By finishing college, students are able to get a job or gain academic preparation for continuing their education at a university. A college course will also be more focused on providing students with a set of more practical skills. Therefore, a college in the country is often chosen by students, who want to obtain skills and become employable in a shorter period of time. A college will usually offer a part-time and flexible studying option besides the full-time studies that normally list last for one to two years.
The Benefits of Studying in a College
Almost two hundred thousand people in the UK are attending a college every year according to recent studies. So what makes so many people decide to continue their studies at a college? Is it beneficial to study at a college? However, it is important to mention that more students in the country prefer to attend a university over a higher education college. But still, their many benefits when it comes to a college, including:
• Lower tuition fees for a college
• Less overloaded college classes
• Study at college from home and reduce expenses
• Flexible college study programs
• Opportunity to continue with a university degree after college
• More individual support at college
College Tuition Fees
When it comes to higher education in the UK, it is pretty much costly and expensive, therefore, a college is a good option if you are on a budget. Enrolling and studying at a UK college will cost you significantly less. So if you don’t have the money for university tuition and you don’t want to rely on a student loan, a college is a good solution. College students in the UK are further encouraged by being provided with a range of merit-based and need-based bursaries.
The difference between university and college in UKWhat makes a university different than a college
College in the UK explained
The benefits of studying in a college
College tuition fees
