It is common to hear the words college and university get used interchangeably. However, is there a difference? Frequently, we find fully-fledged universities that using the name college. The College of William and Mary, Virginia, for example. Some colleges offer programs that are normally offered by universities. So, are they just the same thing? I think not. In some countries, such as the UK, a university awards the degree, but the institutions of learning and training are called colleges. In the United States colleges and universities are sometimes entirely different institutions.

Here are some of the differences between a college and a university:

1. Universities have a broad range of academic disciplines. They usually offer undergraduate and graduate programs. Colleges, on the other hand, only have limited options and do not have a master’s or a Ph.D program.

2. Universities are viewed as research institutions, unlike colleges that focus mainly on practical training. Universities usually have research centers and libraries that facilitate a lot of research. On the contrary, colleges prepare students for vocational paths

3. Universities are larger than colleges. They have many schools or colleges such as School of Engineering and School of Human Resource among others. This is due to the wide variety of courses they offer. Some colleges focus only on one field. Take for example the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that devotes itself only to science and engineering.

4. Universities usually admit a large number of students compared to colleges. Hundreds of students attend a lecture in university while only a few do in college. This is due to the numerous disciplines as well as the prestige that comes with the connotation. Students are therefore more attracted to university than college.

5. Student-to-faculty ratio is lower in college than in university. The large intake of students in university leads to a large student-to-faculty ratio. It is consequently easier for students in colleges to have a closer relationship with their professors than in universities.

6. Colleges usually award certificates, diplomas and two-year associate’s degree. Universities, however, award master’s degree and doctorates.

7. Colleges programs are about two years long while university programs are averagely about four years.

Even though some of the roles of colleges and universities overlap (both offer a bachelor’s degree, for example) and that it may seem that only a thin line separates them, it is evident that some clear-cut differences exist too. University programs offer Ph.D programs while colleges do not. Colleges mostly specialize in practical training while universities focus on research. The universities that stick to the name college do so because they wish to maintain their traditional name. However, many exceptions exist, and in some cases, these institutions differ only in the name only.

Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of MyEnglishClub to add comments!

Join MyEnglishClub

Comments

  • As we all know, student life is very complicated, and many students face problems. The main problem a student faces is a lack of time. In most cases, this is due to the combination of work and study. If you don't know what to do, I can recommend these guys www.collegessaywriter.com/essay/, they have all the information you need at very good prices.

  • Look like a spaceship, got stars in my vehicle. geometry dash

    Geometry Dash
    Jump and fly your way past an endless stream of obstacles in Geometry Dash, a rhythm-based platformer. Dodge obstacles in lockstep with awesome music…
  • The best part for our self motivation is to challenge our self this is how we can know our capabilities plus pros and cons. We are here to help students who done their assignment on time or on deadlines so we are one of the best Essay Help UK with cheapest cost and rate.

    Buy Essay Help Online & Cheap Essay Writing Service UK
    Buy premium essay help online & best essay writing service UK. We have professional essay writers to process your 'Do My Essay & ‘Write My Essay' req…
  • I have the delight of perusing the article precisely. I took in this as an intriguing and captivating message and I think it is extremely important and informational. I am appreciative for their endeavors in making this article.

    Reminders contribute to nearly 25 percent of all business message traffic. Companies use bulk SMS to send their employees or customers instant reminders regarding events and tasks. Since, texts are read within minutes, this is one of the smartest tools of communications and definitely trumps emails.

    Mass Texting, Text Blast & Bulk SMS as low as $0.0083 | Expert Texting
    With Expert Texting mass text messaging capability, you can achieve more than 99.2% open & read ratio. A quality mass text messaging & text blast ser…
  • Essay Writers UK industry-acclaimed writers are PhD certified, possessing the knowledge of a variety of research and writing techniques to produce unique ideas for the solutions.

    UK’s Legit Essay Writing Service At Cheap Prices
    Instant Essay is the legit essay writing service UK & essay help UK, offering wide range academic writing solution to students’ problems. Chat now!
  • There is no effective difference between colleges and universities but in Europe and there apparently is a significant difference. That is why every college in the United States that can do so has changed its name from college to university. But for the most part of a university was any post-secondary institution in which you could get a masters and Ph.D. degree. Best Law Essay Writing Service
    Essay Writing Service UK And Essay Help Online | Speedy Response
    Essay Avenue is essay writing service UK offers essay help through its dedicated online essay writers in UK, get 40% discount on your essay help onli…
This reply was deleted.