College

What is a College?

A college can be a tertiary educational institution awarding degrees or vocational education. In most of the world, a college is a high school or secondary school, training institution, or part of a university.

The Versatile Term ‘College’

Interestingly, the term “college” comes from Latin meaning ‘selected together.’ This word has taken on many meanings across different countries and contexts. In the United States, for instance, it can refer to a constituent part of a university, an independent institution offering bachelor-level courses, or an institution offering instruction in a particular professional, technical, or vocational field.

College Variations Around the World

In Canada, there is a strong distinction between ‘college’ and ‘university.’ Colleges typically offer technical or career training, while universities provide four-year degree programs. In Chile, the term “college” is not usually used for tertiary education but is used mainly in the name of some private bilingual schools.

United States Context

In the United States, there were 5,916 post-secondary institutions (universities and colleges) as of 2020–21. A ‘college’ can refer to a constituent part of a university, an independent institution offering bachelor-level courses, or an institution offering instruction in a particular professional, technical, or vocational field.

Financial Considerations

Students must pay for college before taking classes. Some borrow the money via loans, and some students fund their educations with cash, scholarships, grants, or some combination of these payment methods. In 2011, the state or federal government subsidized $8,000 to $100,000 for each undergraduate degree.

Types of Colleges in the US

Colleges vary in terms of size, degree, and length of stay. Two-year colleges usually offer an associate degree, and four-year colleges usually offer a bachelor’s degree. Often, these are entirely undergraduate institutions, although some have graduate school programs.

Liberal Arts Colleges

In the United States, four-year institutions that emphasize a liberal arts curriculum are known as liberal arts colleges. Until the 20th century, liberal arts, law, medicine, theology, and divinity were about the only form of higher education available in the United States.

University vs College

While there is no national standard in the United States, the term ‘university’ primarily designates institutions that provide undergraduate and graduate education. A university typically has as its core and its largest internal division an undergraduate college teaching a liberal arts curriculum, also culminating in a bachelor’s degree.

Historical Context

The founders of the first US institutions were graduates of Oxford and Cambridge, and their institutions were initially small communities with residential tutors. Over time, these ‘colleges’ assumed the right to confer degrees, and Harvard changed its title from college to university, but the term ‘college’ persisted in American English.

Residential Colleges

In 2016, a Princeton taskforce aimed to strengthen the contribution of residential colleges to student education. The US Public Interest Research Group found that students spend up to $1,200 per year on textbooks and supplies.

Higher Education in Asia

In India, colleges typically offer high school diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, or programmes up to PhD level, affiliated with regional universities. In Bangladesh, colleges offer higher secondary education. In Hong Kong, the term ‘college’ refers to tertiary institutions or a residence hall within a university.

Autonomous Institutes & Colleges in India

In India, an autonomous college is one that needs to be affiliated to a certain university but can conduct its own admission procedure, examination syllabus, fees structure etc. However, at the end of course completion, they cannot issue their own degree or diploma.

Israel and Macau

In Israel, any non-university higher-learning facility is called a college. Institutions accredited by the Council for Higher Education in Israel (CHE) to confer a bachelor’s degree are called ‘academic colleges.’ In Macau, the term ‘college’ has traditionally been used in the names of private educational institutions.

Philippines and Singapore

In the Philippines, San Beda College specializes in law, AMA Computer College specializes in information and computing technologies, and Mapúa Institute of Technology specializes in engineering. In Singapore, junior colleges provide final two years of secondary education, while Institutes of Technical Education (ITE) campuses offer vocational training.

Colleges in Africa

In South Africa, private or independent tertiary institutions call themselves colleges. In Zimbabwe, private or independent secondary schools with Advanced Level students and polytechnic colleges are also referred to as colleges.

Europe and Beyond

In Europe, Greece has centers of post-lyceum education (KEME) and private non-tertiary schools called Kollegio. Ireland uses the term ‘college’ for institutions of tertiary education. In England, over 60% of higher education providers directly funded by HEFCE are sixth-form or further education colleges.

Netherlands and Portugal

In the Netherlands, there are three main educational routes after high school: MBO (middle-level applied education), HBO (higher professional education) and WO (scientific education). In Portugal, the term colégio is used as a generic reference to a private (non-government) school providing from basic to secondary education.

Conclusion

The term ‘college’ is a versatile word that carries different meanings across various countries and contexts. Whether it’s a high school, an independent institution, or part of a larger university, the term reflects the diverse landscape of higher education worldwide. As we navigate through this complex educational terrain, understanding these nuances can help us make informed decisions about our academic paths.