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Colleges in the UK

Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College
Loughborough, Leicestershire, East Midlands, LE12 8WD
Welbeck The Defence Sixth Form College is one of the UK's leading full-boarding educational establishments. It's where motivated, ambitious students from all backgrounds take their first steps towards

Devenish College
Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, BT74 6JL
Following a number of deaths in disused quarries in Northern Ireland in the past number of years the Department of the Environment, led by the Environment Minister, has launched an educational

Regal International College
Manor Park, East London, London, E12 6BT
June and September enjoys the best of the summer weather, and bare in mind it can get very damp and cold during the winter, especially in January and February. Please note that REGAL will not be party

Immanuel College
Bushey, Hertfordshire, East England, WD23 4EB
Welcome to Immanuel College, an Independent school for boys and girls aged 4-19 years, established in 1990 to educate Modern Orthodox Jewish children in a caring environment of academic excellence,

Oscott College
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, West Midlands, B73 5AA
Welcome to the website of St Mary's College, Oscott, the seminary of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Established on its current site in 1838, the college is located approximately six miles north of the

Archbishop Beck
Liverpool, Merseyside, North West England, L9 7BF
We will look after and support each other, recognising the worth and achievement of all, realising at the same time our own self worth. We will create an atmosphere which promotes high standards of

United World College
Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, CF61 1WF
Located in the 12th Century St Donat's Castle in the United Kingdom, UWC Atlantic College is the founding college of a global education movement and international residential school. Each year, 350

West Thames College
Isleworth, South West London, London, TW7 4HS
If you want a college with the WOW factor, look no further. Our Isleworth campus (officially opened in 2012) with its award-winning buildings, landscaped lawns and the beautiful grade II listed Spring

Severn Business College
Leyton, East London, London, E10 6AE
Severn Business College is a privately-funded college, which provide courses in English and Business at various levels to local and international students. Severn Business College specialises in

Sylvia Hodge College
Warrington, Cheshire, North West England, WA1 1EX
Welcome to Sylvia Hodge College of Health & Beauty Website This privately run college is situated in Warrington town centre. We have been established for over 14 years and have an excellent track

Guildford County School
Guildford, Surrey, South East England, GU2 4LU
I am pleased that you have shown an interest in our school, and I hope you find our website informative. Guildford County School, an academy school, has an established reputation for academic

York Student
Net provides modern student homes near the University of York, York St. John, York College and Askham Bryan College. We can suit all budgets from a room in a house at £60 per week, to a luxury

Astor College For The Arts
Dover, Kent, South East England, CT17 0AS
Cadets throughout their time in cadets can achieve many scholarships and certifications in flying, gliding BTEC Level 2, First Diploma and GCSE equivalents in Uniformed Services. We provide pathways

Goldsmiths University Of London
Deptford, South East London, London, SE14 6NW
Goldsmiths, University of London was founded in 1891, and has been part of the University of London since 1904. We've a rich academic history, but we're also known for our creative approach. From the

Writtle College
Chelmsford, Essex, East England, CM1 3RR
Writtle College campus is a unique place. It is set in its own 220 hectare estate with landscaped gardens, working animal units, construction areas, workshops and retail, business and leisure
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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