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College
You’ll get a qualification at the end of each course you complete – and can progress through them if you like (for example, going from HNC to HND).
Courses are likely to be more vocational – geared towards a specific career. The class sizes are normally smaller than university lectures.
Courses usually have a fairly structured timetables of lectures, practical classes and seminars. You can study for different types of qualification – National Qualifications, vocational courses, Access courses, modules, HNCs, HNDs.
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University
You’ll probably study for four years before you get a qualification.
Depending on what you study, courses are a mix of practical and vocational, and more academic, exploring a particular subject.
You could be in large lectures with hundreds of other students.
You’ll be expected to study independently – less lectures and classes, but more reading in your own time.
You can study for degrees, Masters courses, and in some subjects move on to postgraduate courses.
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From college to university
Articulation
Colleges and unis often have agreements called articulation. This let students go from HNC and HND courses into year two or three of a degree.
Associate degrees
Some colleges also offer associate degrees in partnership with universities. The first two years are studied at college and the rest at a partner university.
Always check
Before you pick a course, check what arrangements are in place.