Colleges in England
Arthur Barric reviews the many colleges in England.
Students can get a basic higher education in various subjects at colleges in England. England is distinguished by its extensive college system, which provides higher education, a Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor's, or Master's degree, after which students can start working in their field of study.
The best colleges in England are divided into public and private. Their programs are designed in collaboration with industry and the community to meet current needs, meaning colleges offer degrees in high demand in the job market. Their certificates and diplomas are recognised on par with university degrees. Many have agreements with universities and offer degrees from partner universities.
Higher education is becoming increasingly common and popular among students who would like to pay less. After all, the cost of education in colleges is 1.5-2 times lower than in universities.
British colleges offer extensive subjects, including business, management, marketing, accounting, information technology, secretarial work, design, tourism and hotel management, media, computers, etc. Education has a pronounced practical orientation.
College curricula can vary from a few months to three years. Depending on the length of your education, you will receive a certificate or diploma, regular or advanced, a bachelor's degree, or even a master's degree. The study period for a certificate is 32-52 weeks.
During this time, students receive the education they need to pursue careers in junior positions. Diploma programs prepare qualified personnel for mid-level technical and managerial jobs in electronics, industry, construction, architecture, business, etc. It takes three to four years to complete a bachelor's degree.
What do colleges in England offer to foreign applicants?
The main advantage of education obtained in the UK is the diploma accepted by all advanced countries. Thanks to this, every graduate has a chance to build a successful career in any country.
Another significant advantage is the opportunity to get a foothold in England: students are actively involved in the local environment during college. It talks about socialising during internships and working while studying. After graduation, every graduate can stay in England and obtain residency status.
How Colleges in England Differ from Universities
The main difference between the two types of institutions is the number of students. Each university has a large number of students. In addition, universities conduct research and teach a large number of disciplines. But, as always, there are exceptions to every rule.
Residents of England and citizens of other countries who have come from abroad to study are called this type of educational institution English schools.
There are several types of schools in Great Britain:
- Day colleges. Similar institutions are located in Cambridge, London, and other major cities in the country. Colleges aim to give students the knowledge necessary for admission and further study at any university. In addition to in-depth education in academic disciplines, institutions also improve English language skills, prepare for international examinations, etc.
- Boarding Colleges. Boarding colleges in England are British institutions with a closed territory, usually in rural or suburban areas. They have everything students need for study and life. Each institution has living quarters, laundry facilities, dining halls, a health centre, exercise rooms, and many other services and facilities. It also organises recreational activities for students.
- International Colleges. In England, an international college is a particular educational institution in which international students can also study, as can the British themselves. The primary curriculum of English schools is used for teaching. One of the differences between such institutions is the almost total absence of extracurricular activities, freer discipline, and a democratic environment.
- Tutorial colleges are conducted as separate groups. Most often, it is a personal tutoring session for a student. Education takes place in the fundamental disciplines necessary for admission to a higher education institution and further study there. Particular attention is paid to the English language.
Benefits of attending college
Secondary education in the UK is a preparatory stage and an easier way to enter one of the prestigious universities.
In addition, a college education has many positive aspects:
- The lack of exams and the need to attend high school in the UK.
- An opportunity to learn English before you start an academic program.
- Guaranteed acceptance to the university of your choice; transfer to a higher education institution is based on your academic performance.
- The probability of choosing the program that suits your speciality.
- You can possibly start studying at any time of the year—in the college system, you can start in September-October, January-February, and May-June.
- Education in small groups.
As for accommodation, some institutions at this level offer full-board accommodation, and some place their students with English families.
Cost of tuition
College tuition in the UK is not cheap. The price depends on the chosen course and the student's degree: a master's degree is correspondingly cheaper than a bachelor's degree. By comparison, Oxford schools are "very low cost." Here, you will have to pay only 5500-700 euros per student per year.
The minimum tuition fee at University College London will be between 15,000 and 31,000 euros, which is even higher than tuition fees at some English universities. It's all about the high ranking of educational institutions and getting an advantage before entering the next stage—the bachelor's degree.
Page Reference
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- BARRICK, A. (2021) Colleges in England [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article664.htm [Accessed
About the Author
Arthur Barrick is a freelance journalist.