subject: About UK institutions [print this page] About UK institutions About UK institutions
The UK has a large range of fantastic schools, colleges and universities to choose from throughout England, study usScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The UK is home to over 170 higher education institutions and 500 further education institutions offering a vast range of course and subject options including some you won't find anywhere else in the world. Firm quality standards are in place meaning you will be guaranteed a certain level of study. For example, all universities and colleges that award degrees in the UK have to have been granted special degree awarding power by the UK Government. Courses and institutions are regularly monitored and assessed. This means UK qualifications offer a guarantee of quality that makes them so widely accepted internationallystudy us.
Although the standards are the same, the range of institutions and courses are broad. Institutions can broadly be split into the following categories: higher education colleges, universities and further education institutions.
Higher education colleges
Colleges in the UK offer a great range of qualifications, and tend to be more relaxed environments that universities, with more emphasis on classroom learning and practical experience. Most higher education colleges can't award degrees in their own name, but usually they are allied with a university that can. Colleges usually offer education across a range of levels, from vocational qualifications, A-levels (school-level qualifications in the UK), access and foundation courses to university and some offer full degree qualifications.
Universities
Universities offer a range of undergraduate (such as a BA, BSc and BEng) and postgraduate (such as an MA, MBA and PhD) qualifications, and can be split into three general categories.
Campus universities
A campus university supplies everything you need on one site. These tend to be newer universities, based on a purpose-built campus, usually on the outskirts of a city, though some are more central. The site will encompass university departments, lecture halls, library, shopping and sports facilities. There will also likely be accommodation options. The aim is to present you with your education community and learning facilities on one campus.
Non-campus university
If you're more eager to mix with the local community, a non-campus university is an excellent option. These tend to be based in a city or town, with their buildings spread across one area. These tend to be older universities that have developed and grown organically over the years and have departments in different locations. The majority have halls of residence, though you may have to move between sites.
Collegiate universities
Certain UK universities - particularly older ones such as Cambridge, Oxford and York - are actually formed of a number of smaller colleges. Although you are still a member of the university as whole, each college acts as a mini-campus. Your college will provide you with accommodation, facilities, societies and entertainment, though you will study with students from other colleges and will be free to use their facilities too.
