"Universities" And "Colleges": Know What These Terms Mean In Different Countries

Whilst ‘college’ and ‘university’ are terms mostly understood by people across national boundaries, what they signify within the context of a particular country might be different. In India, for example, we use colleges to denote semi-independent institutions where students undertake their coursework under the larger ambit of a university.

For instance, Hansraj and Ramjas are colleges within the University of Delhi, Jai Hind and NMIMS are colleges under Mumbai University, and so on. This meaning does not hold true everywhere, especially in some of the most popular destinations for undergraduate studies for students from India.

Difference Between Colleges And Universities In Different Countries

Let us try to understand the difference between colleges and universities in the context of different countries.

United Kingdom

Perhaps one of the more ambiguous countries in this list, the United Kingdom broadly follows two systems-

Firstly, the terms "college" and "university" are often used by different institutions which have the same offerings to students. This implies that there is no difference between the degrees offered and coursework taught in colleges and universities. This is evident in how Kings College, London and the University of Warwick are institutions similar in all regards but their usage of "college," and "university".

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Secondly, there is an added layer of nuance, and this can be identified within two institutions – Oxford University and Cambridge University. Both these universities consist of several colleges, amongst which students are admitted whilst being a part of either of these institutions. Students undertake their coursework in these colleges and identify with them within the larger realm of the university.

United States Of America

The United States perhaps has one of the most evident distinctions between a college and a university. There are two types of educational institutions in the United States: liberal arts colleges and national universities.

National Universities In The USA

National Universities are academic institutions which offer a wide range of academic programmes ranging from bachelor's and associate degrees to graduate school and PhDs. They consist of different ‘schools’ or ‘colleges’ which are semi-independent bodies that have a specific academic focus. For example, New York University has a Tandon School of Engineering, a College of Arts and Sciences, a Stern School of Business and so on. Students studying in universities benefit from the possibility of engagement with a more diverse study body, curricula, and research, and the potential of converting their undergraduate degrees into graduate programmes and beyond.

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Some Renowned Universities | The most distinguishable universities in the US are those in the Ivy League (Harvard, Princeton, Columbia and so on), and others including Stanford, some of the campuses of the University of California, etc.

Liberal Arts College In The USA

Liberal Arts Colleges are the less renowned yet equally prestigious and beneficial counterparts of universities in the context of undergraduate education. Unlike universities, colleges offer undergraduate degrees only mostly focused on the liberal arts. Colleges tend to have departments within them that have a specific academic focus. With a much smaller student body, it is argued that liberal arts colleges offer a more immersive, personalised, and holistic education as compared to universities.

Some Renowned Colleges | Some of the leading liberal arts colleges include Williams College, Amherst College, Wellesley College, Pomona College, and Claremont McKenna College.

Canada

In Canada too, universities and colleges are strikingly different types of institutions, perhaps even more so than in the United States of America.

Universities In Canada

Universities in Canada are mostly focused on offering undergraduate and graduate degree programmes to students. These programmes are academically rigorous in addition to being focused on industry experience and engagement. Some universities in Canada are among the leading academic institutions in the world and similar to their international counterparts, they have high tuition fees and extremely selective admission processes. Whilst certain universities do offer diploma and part-time programmes to students, both the scope and diversity of these programmes are very limited.

Also Read | Things To Know Before Choosing Canada As A Study Destination

Some Renowned Universities | The University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and McGill University.

Colleges In Canada

Colleges in Canada are mostly focused on diploma and certificate programmes. These programmes are industry-specific and entail a fair share of compulsory industry exposure. Even though they are not as competitive as universities, they are sought-after, especially by international students as opportunities of securing stable employment in the country with a good return on investment on the cost of education.

The identity of an institution as a college/university evidently has different meanings in different countries.

Some Renowned Colleges | Some of the most renowned colleges in Canada include Centennial College, Seneca College, Humber College, and George Brown College.

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Other Countries

Most other countries in the world follow a system similar to those of National Universities in the United States of America. Universities have specialised and dedicated schools where students pursue their undergraduate/graduate coursework. Hence a student is both a member of the college and the university. For example, the University of Sydney in Australia, the National University of Singapore in Singapore, and Trinity University in Ireland all have an engineering school/college and a business school/college within their ambit as universities. Despite a few exceptions, this ‘norm’ or ‘system’ tends to be uniform across the world.

The identity of an institution as a college/university evidently has different meanings in different countries. One rule remains true though—students must thoroughly understand the academic institutions that they apply to and the benefits/ challenges within the same.

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Students should carefully evaluate what these institutions are and what experiences they provide before and after the completion of undergraduate education. This research, understanding, and clarity are imperative in achieving the outcomes that one generally thinks of prior to commencing undergraduate education abroad.

Vijeeth Srinivas is a development consultant with more than extensive experience in the foreign education industry. With the Centre for Career Development and Essai Education he has helped hundreds of students secure positions in leading universities abroad. He is keen to make novel developments in education and skill development more accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.