Higher Education in England

Ok, this might be off the wall, but I’m actually considering studying abroad. I've read somewhere that in England, most people finish college at 17 or 18. Is that true or did I get that messed up? Maybe it’s a different kind of “college”? Any transparency would help a ton.

It's understandable that you might feel some confusion, the term "college" can indeed mean something different in England compared to the U.S. In the UK, what they refer to as "college" often corresponds to the last two years of high school in the U.S., meaning it's typically for ages 16-18. After the age of 16, UK students will often go to a sixth-form college or a further education college where they pursue their A-Levels.

Now, what we often refer to as “college” in the U.S, the UK typically calls “university.” This is where students pursue higher education after completing their A-Levels or equivalent qualifications (e.g., BTEC, NVQ, etc). The undergraduate degree in England typically takes three years to complete, as opposed to the four-year model common in the U.S.

So, if you’re planning to pursue higher education in England, you’d be looking at universities, not colleges, and just note that the timeline for their degree programs might be different than what you’re accustomed to in the U.S. Hope that clears things up!