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Colleges in the UK
Harlow College
Harlow, Essex, East England, CM20 3EZ
Described by Robert Halfon MP as "The biggest and best business event in the East of England". Our Apprenticeships team will be on hand to answer all your questions. Try out some brilliant have-a-go
Wessex College
Frome, Somerset, South West England, BA11 4LA
Our highly qualified and experienced team share a vision and a passion to achieve excellent outcomes, consistent with Every Child Matters, for our young people. We offer placements to young people
International College Of Oriental Medicine
East Grinstead, West Sussex, South East England, RH19 1DZ
Hello and welcome to ICOM; we hope you enjoy looking at what we can offer you. Established in 1972, ICOM is the longest established acupuncture teaching college in the UK providing students with the
North Tyneside College
Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, North East England, NE28 9NL
Welcome to TyneMet College and a really exciting opportunity to discover your talents and get into the career of your dreams. We've got a whole range of exciting opportunities for you with lots of
ABI College
Acton, West London, London, W3 9NW
We are dedicated to providing an enriching, accessible, affordable and career-relevant higher educational experience for all students. Our two ABI campuses In London (Acton) and Reading are
Brownlow Fold Community Learning Centre
Bolton, Greater Manchester, North West England, BL1 3EF
We are proud to be one of the North West's largest providers of vocational training and further education and believe our superb faculties, experienced tutors and professional network of support
Al-Maktoum College
Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education, formerly known as Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, was established in 2001. Its aim is to bridge the possible gap between the Muslim and
New River College
Archway, North London, London, N19 4AB
New River College is a consortium of three Pupil Referral Units (PRU) split across four sites in the London Borough of Islington. The Secondary PRU is based at Lough Road, with a satellite centre for
National Business College
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber, HD1 4EN
Established in 1983 as a private college specialising in business related subjects and information technology - the main focus now is to help young people find jobs and gain relevant qualifications
Golders Green College
Golders Green, North West London, London, NW11 8DY
Students wishing to move into or out of the Premium Class can inform us one week before they wish to move. See Rules for further information. We provide high quality TEFL/TESOL teacher training
The Hathershaw College Of Technology
We care deeply about the personal development of each of our students. From the moment a pupil enters the College we want them to feel a sense of happiness and belonging, as this is very important to
Abbey Gate College
Chester, Cheshire, North West England, CH3 6EN
Abbey Gate College is an independent coeducational day school set in beautiful grounds at Saighton Grange, some three miles south of the City of Chester. The College has some excellent facilities, but
Frewen College
Rye, East Sussex, South East England, TN31 6NL
The aim of the Sixth Form at Frewen is to offer a holistic education, providing support where needed, whilst encouraging each student's movement towards greater independence in preparation for higher
Cambian Lufton College
Yeovil, Somerset, South West England, BA22 8ST
Cambian Lufton College is a welcoming, vibrant specialist residential college for young people with a range of learning disabilities. We provide personal, social and vocational education, care and
Penwith College
Penzance, Cornwall, South West England, TR18 2SA
Stunning new buildings with extraordinary backdrops of coastline and countryside provide the perfect location for high class education. The unique combination of smaller class sizes and well
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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