Terri wanted to know what the difference is between a college and a University in the UK.
Here goes...
Universities are for over 18s, and are where you go to study for a degree - your Batchelor's Degree, your Masters, your Doctorate. They are often the focus of a lot of academic research too.
Easy.
Colleges are much more mixed.
Most of our colleges are for over 16s. They can be a stepping stone between school and Uni, but they also teach more vocational skills - electronics, various building trades, etc. This is the type of college that my daughter goes to.
However, some schools for under 16s also call themselves colleges - we have a boarding school near here that is called Kent College (costs more than I earn) while another less reputable school is called a "Community College".
In addition, some Universities are sub-divided into Colleges. My son's Uni is one of these, having about 8 different Colleges. Each college has a different ethos - similar to fraternities in the US? One is very sporting, one is nerdy, one is for party animals, etc. Helps new students to place themselves with people with similar interests, or at least away from those with opposite interests!
So may daughter goes to College, while my son is a member of a College at a University...
Hm, was that the dullest blog post ever?
12 comments:
No, not dull at all. I love to hear how things are set up over there. We sometimes think things are the same all over when there is a world of difference. We have universities, colleges, trade/vocational schools, community colleges over here. Something for everyone. My son attended the University in Austin, but was enrolled in the College of Natural Science (for a Computer Science degree).
Agg79 - Glad you didn't find it dull - I guess our systems aren't really that different.
Colleges, universities, college of university; leave it to the education system to create a dileberately confusing nomenclature for itself. And we wonder why students leave school seemingly dumber than when they went in.
Wigsf - Yep, some seem to succeed DESPITE the system instead of because of it!
I didn't think it boring either! It's so interesting to hear how things work in other countries. Thanks for taking the time to explain! :)
I agree with the rest of the gallery. Not boring at all. Here, I think of colleges as a subset of universities, then there's prep schools...?
Thank you for clearing that up for me. I tried Googling this topic, but couldn't really find a solid answer. Now I don't feel so dumb and I understand more about your kids' educational paths.
So, I agree with the consensus. This was not boring in the least!
Helpful, as your English is sometimes different than ours.
Abby - Prep schools - yes these seem to be appearing in the more affluent parts of the country now...
Terri - Glad it is all clear now!
Riot Kitty - Yes, considering we are supposed to speak the same language it is amazing how often we don't understand what is being said!
Here, we have tech schools (and you hope a tech graduate isn't the one drawing blood at the hospital).
We have colleges and you can meet the graduates at the neighborhood coffee shop designing cream hearts on the top of your latte.
Universities turn out reputable doctors and other worthy professionals. . . unless your doctor or lawyer graduated 500 in a class of 500.
I just listed your blog in my "bloggers block" on my site. Sorry for the oversight on my part.
Lotta Joy - I will try to spot these people on my trip next year! Thanks for adding me - although I had not noticed that I was not there and would not have been offended if I had!
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