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School vs College vs University in UK: What's the Difference

Updated on 17 April, 2024

Kanika Pruthi

Kanika Pruthi

Sr. Content Writer & Study Abroad Expert

School vs College vs University in UK: What's the Difference

UK Education System

The education system in the UK has five phases of study: early years, Primary Education, Secondary Education, Further Education (FE), and Higher Education (HE). Enrolling in a respective institute between ages 5 and 16 is mandatory, except in Northern Ireland, where the lower age is four years. 

Further education and higher education are not mandatory, but they can be pursued in colleges and universities. Let’s start by explaining the key stages of the UK education system.

Key Stages of UK Education System

Considering the compulsory education till one’s secondary education completion, there are four key stages. Here’s a brief overview of each of them:

Stage

Age

Common Term

Description

Key Stage 1

5 to 7 years

Primary School/Primary Education

The initial years include assessing a kid’s ability to decode phonics. This stage ends with an exam to evaluate their English, Maths, and Science performance.

Key Stage 2

7 to 11 years

Primary School/Primary Education

Students understand the previously learned curriculum in a more advanced way. This stage analyzes the kid’s English, Science, and Math knowledge through national assessment tests. 

Key Stage 3

11 to 14 years

Secondary School/Lower Secondary/Secondary Education

This stage prepares the students for their General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSE) examination. Students are introduced to new subjects and learn the basics. Some may sit for their GCSE test at the end of this stage or take other national qualification exams.

Key Stage 4

14 to 16 years

Secondary School/ Upper Secondary/Secondary Education

Finally, the students gain their knowledge on nationally accepted foundational or core subjects. It is the most common timeframe for students to go for national assessment tests and take their GCSE or other national qualifications.

*Note: Northern Ireland's primary educational age range is between 4 and 10 years.

What is School in UK

Most schools in the UK are either state-funded or private. A small percentage of students attend private schools in the UK: 6% in England, 4% in Scotland, 2% in Wales, and less than 1% in Northern Ireland. 

Even though the curriculum in the four nations of the UK, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, are more or less the same, their operations may differ. 

The local authority funds different kinds of state schools in the UK. Generally, these are:

  • Foundation schools or voluntary schools
  • Community schools
  • Grammar schools
  • Academies and free schools.

Another kind of school in the UK is a faith school, where education is segregated depending on one's faith. Most of these are either catholic or Church of England.

What is College in UK

Colleges in the UK mean you are pursuing Further Education. Approximately 1,87,000 students are enrolled in colleges in the UK. Enrolling in a college means that the student has already completed their compulsory education and is over 16 years of age. 

You can sit for GCSEs during college if you have yet to pass them during your schooling period. There are around 240 colleges in the UK, usually offering vocational courses or other A-level programs that allow you to get admission into a university or start working right after. 

You will develop your practical skills during this period, preparing you for your career.

What is University in UK

You must be at least 18 years old to enroll in a university in the UK. More than 240 colleges are affiliated with universities in the UK. Usually, you can receive an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a university. 

The programs are generally taught by world-class faculty and include top-notch research facilities for various arts and science fields. Besides, studying at a university in the UK means you get to experience a rich student life with vibrant communities.

Difference Between College, School, and University

It is evident that schools, colleges, and universities offer different levels of education. Your particular level of study will determine which educational grade is suitable. So, here, we have described the major differences between a school, college, and university in the UK. 

Aspect

Schools in UK

Colleges in UK

Universities in UK

Age Requirement

Ages 5 to 16

Ages 16 to 18

Above 18 years old

Educational Focus

Primary and secondary education

Further education, skill-based studies, vocational programs

Higher education, bachelor's, master's, or PhD

Qualifications Offered

None

Diploma, foundation, and degrees, General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND), International Baccalaureate

Bachelor's, master's, or PhD

Mandatory Attendance

Yes

No

No

Curriculum

Foundation and knowledge development

Skill-based and vocational courses

Theoretical and practical studies

Flexibility in Programs

None

Part-time or full-time courses

Mostly full-time courses

Entry Requirements

None

English language proficiency, cut-off marks from previous degrees

English language proficiency, cut-off marks from previous degrees

Target Audience

Native people of the country

Individuals meeting entry requirements

Individuals meeting entry requirements

Fees

Free

Lower fees, flexible programs

Higher fees, standard programs

Top Universities, Schools, and Colleges in UK

In this section, we have enlisted the UK's top 10 schools, colleges, and universities.

Top 10 Schools in UK

Here are the top 10 schools in the UK as per GCSE results.

Schools

Rankings 2023

St Paul's School, London

1

Perse School for Girls, Cambridge

2

Westminster School, London

3

King Edward VI High School for Girls, Birmingham

4

Whitgift School, South Croydon

5

The Abbey School, Reading

6

Wimbledon High School GDST, London

7

The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, Borehamwood

8

Eltham College, London

9

Eastbourne College

10

Top 10 Colleges in UK

Here are the top 10 colleges in the UK, along with their location.

Colleges

Rankings 2023

Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge

1

Greenhead College, Huddersfield

2

Woodhouse College, Finchley

3

King Edward VI College Stourbridge, West Midlands

4

St Aidan's and St John Fisher Associated Sixth Form Centre, Harrogate

5

Runshaw College, Leyland

6

Plymouth College of Further Education, Devonport

7

Peter Symonds' College, Winchester

8

Winstanley College, Billinge

9

The Sixth Form College, Farnborough

10

Top 10 Universities in UK

Here are the top 10 universities in the UK, along with their world ranking

Universities

QS World University Rankings 2024

University of Cambridge

2

University of Oxford

3

Imperial College London

6

UCL

9

The University of Edinburgh

22

The University of Manchester

32

King's College London

40

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

45

University of Bristol

55

The University of Warwick

67

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FAQs

College or university - which is the best for my studies?

Your study level depends on whether you should enroll in a college or university. Passing your school means a college should be your choice. After that, you can apply to universities if you want to go for higher education. Both colleges and universities in the UK can cater to your specific needs.

What are the entry requirements for admission to a college in the UK?

Suppose you're an international student applying to a UK college. In that case, most institutions require you to meet the following criteria: five General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSEs) with a C grade or above and English proficiency through TOEFL or IELTS. UK students (ages 14-16) take GCSEs as year-end exams in various subjects (theory and some practical work), starting preparation in year 10 (or even year 9).

Are school degrees in the UK enough to start my career?

After finishing your compulsory school education, you can either start your career or pursue further education. While school degrees make you eligible for certain job roles, pursuing higher education for better opportunities is always advisable. 

Kanika Pruthi

Sr. Content Writer & Study Abroad Expert

Kanika has 5+ years of experience as a writer and content developer. She has written for a wide range of industry verticals, including hospitality, restaurants, non-profits, finance, IT, HR, technology, payroll, and education. She has worked as a creator for a few leading companies and has also helped brands grow through her creative writing.

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