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Colleges in the UK
St Thomas The Apostle College
Peckham, South East London, London, SE15 2EB
I feel very privileged to be Head of School at St Thomas the Apostle College. We are a very successful Catholic boys school which I am proud to say is within the top 4 performing schools in Southwark,
Dyke House Sports & Technology College
Hartlepool, County Durham, North East England, TS24 8NQ
I am extremely proud to introduce you to Dyke House Sports & Technology College - an outstanding and dynamic school. The latest OFSTED report describes Dyke House as "an outstanding school" stating
Student Houses Plymouth
Plymouth, Devon, South West England, PL4 7DR
The University of Plymouth is the 9th largest University in the United Kingdom by total number of students (including the Open University). It has over 30,000 students, almost 3,000 staff and was
Prior Pursglove College
Guisborough, North Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber, TS14 6BU
We have a strong reputation for high standards, outstanding facilities and a real commitment to helping you, as an individual, to be as successful as you possibly can be. We want you to be happy here.
College Pines Golf Course
Worksop, Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, S80 3AL
College Pines is a well established, 18 hole heathland course set amid the idyllic surroundings of Clumber Park and Worksop College. Designed and operated by former international golfer David Snell
Princethorpe College
Rugby, Warwickshire, West Midlands, CV23 9PX
The College is renowned for the way in which it looks after its pupils and is characterised by its strong Christian ethos, which underpins everything we do. The school has a unique history, beautiful
Seevic College
South Benfleet, Essex, East England, SS7 1TW
Seevic is based in Benfleet, Essex, halfway between Southend and Basildon. We offer a range of A-Levels, BTECs, Professional / Vocational Qualifications, Apprenticeships and Higher Education courses.
Trinity Catholic College
Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber, TS4 3JW
Trinity Catholic College, formed September 2009, is the amalgamation of two of the area's long established schools;Newlands FCJ Specialist Maths and Computing School and St David's Roman Catholic
Canterbury College - Business
Canterbury, Kent, South East England, CT1 3AJ
We will be sending our Newsletter to our Alumni, every quarter, keeping you up to date with what is happening at Canterbury College. Canterbury College was established in 1947 and is now one of the
Southampton Language College
Southampton, Hampshire, South East England, SO15 2AN
Southampton Language College is located in Brunswick Place in the centre of Southampton. Our building is opposite the large central parks with a great view. We are just a few minutes' walk to the main
Leeds College Of Music
Leeds, West Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber, LS2 7PD
At Leeds College of Music we provide a stimulating and collaborative environment in which students can become creative, confident and versatile practitioners in their chosen fields. See how our
College House
Windermere, Cumbria, North West England, LA23 1BU
Warm, comfortable, traditional, slate built family home with nice garden. Very close to the village centre and railway station but with views of the Lakeland fells from the front of house. Perfect
Royal College Of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists
Camden Town, North West London, London, NW1 4RG
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) works to improve health care for women everywhere, by setting standards for clinical practice, providing doctors with training and lifelong
Norland College
Bath, Somerset, South West England, BA1 6AE
Norland Agency is here to offer all Norlanders lifelong support not only in looking for positions all over the world, but also to provide support and advice whenever you need it. We are committed to
United College London
Farringdon, City of London, London, EC1V 4PW
We focus on forward thinking and flexible designed courses and seminars to meet all requirements. We always assess our students' needs in a professional and friendly way and we always pay personal
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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