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Colleges in the UK
Ellowes Hall Sports College
Dudley, West Midlands, West Midlands, DY3 2JH
Our high standards are evident in a number of areas - academic, sporting, artistic, cultural and behaviour. We will never compromise on these high standards - and we will commit ourselves to helping
Sussex Training Group
Worthing, West Sussex, South East England, BN11 1AZ
As the name suggests we are a company that finds learners for colleges and learning providers. We are well known for providing free and funded NCFE distance learning courses and VRQ based learning. We
Business Development Centre
Grantham, Lincolnshire, East Midlands, NG31
We have over 60 years' experience of providing education and training. In this time we have developed a welcoming and supportive environment where the needs of students are always put first. Come and
DLC Training
Durham, County Durham, North East England, DH7 8ER
Distance Learning College & Training provide flexible distance learning solutions for individuals who aren't able to commit to full time, classroom based studies; our students can work at their own
Harrogate Ladies' College
Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber, HG1 2QG
Harrogate Ladies' College is a school providing an all-round, high quality academic education for girls and boys between the ages of 2 and 11 and for girls only between the ages of 11 and 18. The
Wimbledon College
Colliers Wood, South West London, London, SW19 4NS
Wimbledon College started its life in the parlour of the presbytery of a newly established church - based in house number 3 of Cranbrook Road. In 1893 it moved to the present site, the former grounds
Vernon Community College
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, NG1 6DQ
We were praised for our high standards of support for students, for the quality of our teaching and for our commitment to equality of opportunity, amongst many other aspects of our work. The College
North Warwickshire & Hinckley College
Nuneaton, Warwickshire, West Midlands, CV11 6BH
North Warwickshire & Hinckley College is one of the largest and most successful colleges in the region. We offer brilliant teaching and learning, excellent work experience placements and opportunities
East Kent College
Folkestone, Kent, South East England, CT20 2TZ
Our Study Programmes offer a great alternative to sixth form. We pride ourselves on helping students to find the right path to go on to further study with us, or into work or on to Higher Education.
The College Of Teachers
Holborn, Central London, London, WC1H 0AL
The College of Teachers supports the teaching profession through networks of Membership and qualifications both in the UK and worldwide and aims to be at the forefront of continuing professional
The Video College
Ladbroke Grove, West London, London, W10 5XL
The Video College was set up through a local residents' association in 1994 to give people of all ages an opportunity to train in one of the most vital areas of film making. Once we've re-established
Coulsdon Sixth Form College
Coulsdon, South London, London, CR5 1YA
Coulsdon College has been federated with Reigate College since March 2013. Reigate College has been graded 'outstanding' by Ofsted since 2005 and is regularly placed in the top ten of UK Colleges.
Soham Village College
Soham, Cambridgeshire, East England, CB7 5AA
As a school we aim to achieve, 'excellence with care' in all that we do. High expectations are central to this: high expectations of academic and creative achievements and high expectations of
NCHS - The Science College
Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, West Midlands, ST5 2QY
At the governors meeting held on 11th May it was unanimously agreed to proceed with the proposal that both schools NCHS - The Science College and Clayton Hall Business and Language College convert to
Richmond Adult & Community College
Twickenham, South West London, London, TW1 4LT
RACC provides a centre of learning where students can extend existing skills and acquire new ones. With student success rates at 87.4%, the key to the College's recent growth and success has been its
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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