College

Historically, a college was a place where people came together for a specific purpose.

That purpose did not have to be educational, as in the College of Cardinals, or the College of Arms.    But most colleges today have a primarily if not exclusively educational purpose.

Types of college

Chambers Dictionary defines college as “an institution for higher, professional or vocational education."

In higher education, colleges tend to be parts of universities, as at Oxbridge, London or Durham.    This division is not by subject (as in departments or faculties) but based on governance, finance, geography, or just historical accident.

In further education a college is more like a university:  a self-standing autonomous body.    Most state-funded bodies offering FE courses are called Colleges.    And certain professions tend to train at colleges, such as in medicine, music, theology and the technologies.

All these colleges offer education beyond school, as the phrase “going to college” implies.

But a few schools are also called colleges, like Dulwich or Eton, again for historical reasons.

Colleges in the Private Sector

Colleges were commoner in the past.    Distance learning providers were called correspondence colleges, and many bodies used the term in their titles;   ODL QC was originally the Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Colleges.

Some private sector providers still call themselves colleges, though the proportion is small; probably less than 20%.

Although there have been calls from within the publicly-funded sector to restrict the use of the term college, currently, there are no restrictions on using the name. Often there is little difference between those who call themselves colleges, and those who choose school, academy, or centre.

The choice of name has no implications for what they offer, or how good it is.    But it does project an academic image, which is why some providers choose it.

Those who wish to avoid academic associations, such as those who offer courses to industry and commerce, are more likely to choose centre, company, or training organisation instead.

Related Terms:

• provider
• school

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