British universities and colleges

There are currently around 170 universities and HE colleges and over two million higher education students in the UK. Of these, 87% are from the UK, 4% are from other countries of the European Community, and over 8% are from countries outside of the European Community.

Higher education institutions offer a wide range of qualifications and titles ranging from higher education certificates and diplomas, foundation degrees, bachelors degress, bachelors degrees with honours and higher (postgraduate) degrees such as masters degrees and doctorates. Typical courses leading to an honours degree last for three years if taken full-time.

All major higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and each determines its own admissions policy and requirements. Entry is competitive with specific requirements set for each course (in most cases requiring A-level or Scottish Higher or quivalent qualifications). Institutions also welcome applicants from mature candidates with experience but who may lack formal qualifications.

Most undergraduate admissions are dealt with centrally by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) although there are exceptions. Postgraduate admissions are dealt with by institutions directly although an increasing number of institutions are making use of the UCAS UKPASS system.

In England, the older universities were established by Royal Charter or act of Parliament. The Privy Council has the power to grant university status to an institution that has the necessary characteristics.

The existing 'old' universities include many founded in the 1950s and 1960s, 'civic' universities (founded by Royal Charter in major cities in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries), and the first colleges of the University of Wales, which were established in the nineteenth and early and mid twentieth centuries.

The universities of Oxford and Cambridge date from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and three Scottish universities, St Andrews, Glasgow and Aberdeen, have existed since the fifteenth century.

In 1992, former polytechnics were given the status of universities under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. These institutions are sometimes called 'new' universities, although many of them have their origins in vocational colleges that have a long history.

Universities are self-governing and independent and have their own degree-awarding powers. Institutions that have been awarded these powers are listed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) is responsible for all aspects of higher education.

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) was established in 1997 as an independent body funded by subscriptions from UK universities and colleges of higher education, and through contracts with the main UK higher education funding bodies. The QAA works with higher education institutions to define academic standards and quality. provides advice to the Privy Council on issues relating to degree awarding powers.

Like universities, higher education colleges are self-governing and independent. Some colleges were founded up to 150 years ago, and a significant number were established as church colleges. Some award their own degrees and other qualifications; in other colleges, qualifications are validated by a university or national accrediting body.

Higher education colleges with degree awarding powers can also apply to the Privy Council for the right to use the title of 'university college'.

Universities and colleges receive £14.5 billion in funding. Of this, £6.1 billion comes from the UK HE funding bodies, £3.4 billion from other government sources, and £6.1 billion from non-government sources such as private fees, industry and charities.

The nature of higher education in the UK has changed significantly over the past 30 years. The number of students studying at universities and colleges has increased dramatically, with over two million students at higher education institutions today.

The age of undergraduates has changed too. Formerly these were largely school leavers studying full-time. The student population now includes large numbers of mature and part-time students.

Higher education is part of what is commonly referred to as 'lifelong learning', which is not limited to the compulsory school years, but extends through an adult's working life and sometimes into retirement.

We welcome your comments and feedback on this article.