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Overview of the UK's further education sector

AuthorDaniel Higginbotham, senior editor
Posted on

Whether you're leaving school, looking to retrain or considering a career in teaching, discover how the UK's further education sector supports learners of all ages

FE sector key statistics

  • Further education (FE) includes study after secondary school.
  • College is for people of all ages, with courses free for students aged 16 to 18.
  • 1.6 million students go to college in England each year.
  • 209,000 learners study at college in Scotland, 127,000 in Wales, and 37,000 in Northern Ireland.
  • 54,000 teachers work at FE colleges, with up to 12,400 new recruits needed by 2028/29.

What is further education?

Further education includes any study after secondary education that doesn't form part of an undergraduate or graduate degree.

These post-secondary school qualifications are delivered by FE, sixth form, and specialist colleges that aim to provide top-quality academic, technical, and professional education and training for both young people and adults.

Read more about what's included under the FE umbrella at GOV.UK - Further education courses.

What are FE colleges?

FE colleges provide post-16 education and training for students of all ages. They offer:

  • academic, vocational and technical qualifications
  • apprenticeships
  • adult learning programmes.

With full-time, part-time, online and work-based study options available, FE can support:

FE colleges are found throughout the UK and often work closely with employers, universities and local communities to support skills development and progression into work or higher education (HE).

What's the difference between higher and further education?

FE usually includes qualifications up to Level 3, such as:

  • A-levels
  • BTECs
  • T Levels.

HE refers to qualifications studied at Levels 4 and above, usually at universities and some colleges.

While FE generally covers post-16 study after GCSEs, HE focuses on qualifications above Level 3 (including undergraduate and postgraduate study) and usually follows the completion of FE study.

Why choose further education?

Further education offers a flexible route for learners who want to:

How is the FE system structured?

How many colleges are there in the UK?

According to the Association of Colleges (AoC), there are 253 colleges in the UK (March 2026), which break down as:

  • 210 colleges in England
  • 24 in Scotland
  • 13 in Wales
  • 6 in Northern Ireland.

What types of colleges are there?

Most colleges are referred to as general FE colleges, but there are several different types of institutions.

For instance, of the 210 colleges in England:

  • 155 are general FE colleges
  • 35 sixth form colleges
  • 9 land-based colleges
  • 9 institutes of adult learning (formerly specialist designated colleges)
  • 2 art, design and performing arts colleges.

How many students attend college in the UK?

Nearly two million students attend college across the UK each year, with:

  • 1.6 million in England
  • 209,000 in Scotland
  • 127,000 in Wales
  • 37,000 in Northern Ireland.

What FE courses can you study?

The most widely available FE and college-based qualifications include:

See college courses for an overview of the main FE qualifications studied at college.

Who are college courses aimed at?

Anyone aged 16 and over can go to college, although the Association of Colleges' College Key Facts 2025/26 report found that almost two-thirds 59% of college funding was spent on 16 to 19 education.

It's unsurprising that sixth form and general FE colleges providing qualifications at A-level standard benefit most from the funding, especially as education is still free for students in this age group.

Colleges are inclusive places to learn:

  • Over a quarter (28%) of those aged 16 to 18 studying in England reported some form of learning difficulty and/or disability.
  • A quarter (25%) of this age group were from an ethnic minority background.

In addition, 914,000 adults (those aged 19 or over) study or train at college in England, of whom 687,000 are aged 25 or older. This shows that college courses are for everyone, whether they are starting a career, developing new skills or changing direction.

Can you do an apprenticeship at college?

Yes. Many apprentices complete their training through a college alongside their workplace learning. In England, 147,000 apprentices study at college, including 50,000 aged 19 or under.

The average college trains around 900 apprentices. Explore our apprenticeship guides to find out how apprenticeships work, what opportunities are available and how to apply.

What about studying undergraduate courses?

While university may sometimes be referred to as further study, it only offers qualifications at Levels 4 and above, with the most popular being undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Levels 6 and 7.

However, there are FE and higher education (HE) colleges that run undergraduate programmes at Levels 4 and 5, such as:

Read our guide to undergraduate qualifications.

Can I still go on to university?

Many FE qualifications are assigned UCAS Tariff points, helping learners progress to undergraduate study. To see how different qualifications compare, explore our guide on how to apply for university.

Some FE qualifications can be topped up to a full degree, so if you're thinking of going to university but still aren't sure, the course may offer credit should you choose to continue your studies.

What are the most popular methods of study at college?

As with university, you can choose between full and part-time study for most courses. While some require you to spend a significant amount of time in the classroom, colleges often use a blended learning approach, with online distance learning complementing the traditional face-to-face teaching.

For qualifications such as A-levels and BTECs, online college courses are also very popular. This is because you'll have the opportunity to study and earn a qualification without visiting the college in person. The course will typically involve interacting with tutors and other learners online through:

  • chat forums
  • lectures
  • training sessions
  • webinars.

Popular FE providers include the Open Study College and Online Learning College, while The Open University offers qualifications at undergraduate level and above.

You can also explore free courses as signposted by the National Careers Service (NCS).

This flexible approach to learning allows students to study at a time and place that fits their lifestyle. It's perfect if a local college isn't accessible to you.

Read more about the benefits of online learning.

Am I eligible for student finance?

As mentioned, FE college courses are free for 16 to 18-year-olds, but tuition fees are likely to apply to adult learners (anyone 19 and over). Even younger students can still claim education-related costs through the government's 16 to 19 Bursary Fund.

You may be able to claim for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) if you're studying in:

When it comes to online learning with private course providers, you'll need to pay course fees. For instance, if you're taking A-levels, you'll need to consider exam and invigilation fees, as well as tuition costs, while some courses may have additional fees for the practical aspects of the programme.

A range of grants and loans are offered at a local level for adult education. For example, see the booklet on fees, finance and funding for adult learners from The Manchester College.

For undergraduate courses at college, consider applying for government support, including:

  • maintenance loan support
  • tuition fees.

Read more about student loans and finance at the undergraduate level.

Can international students go to college in the UK?

Yes, international students can apply to go to college in the UK. However, you'll need to arrange your visa before entering the country.

Students from European countries will require 'settled' status under the European Union (EU) Settlement Scheme to live and study here. However, in many cases, college fees remain quite reasonable. See GOV.UK - Studying in the UK: guidance for EU students. Read more about studying abroad.

The AoC has revealed that the average tuition fee for international students studying a one-year full-time FE college course in England is £8,622 per year, with Level 3 courses proving the most popular.

As colleges are renowned for providing a pipeline to university, a high proportion of international students choose to progress to HE courses.

Indeed, the AoC added that international students also take qualifications at Levels 4 and 5, with colleges charging around £11,051 per year for their undergraduate courses.

The most popular subject area for short-term international students is English language teaching, with average tuition fees of £6,945.

Why do international students choose UK colleges?

The AoC also found that, in the international marketplace, the main reasons for coming to the UK for FE-level study are to:

The most popular subject areas for college-sponsored international students include:

  • business, economics and accounting
  • creative industries
  • science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Read more about studying in the UK at degree level.

Explore the scholarships and funding available from the British Council - and get information on how to apply to study in the UK.

How do I get a job in further education?

If you are interested in becoming a college teacher, now is a good time to enter the profession.

The AoC's College Key Facts 2025/26 report revealed that FE colleges in England employ around 133,000 people, including 54,000 teachers.

However, the Department for Education's (DfE) Teacher workforce: secondary and further education summary (April 2025) explained how 12,400 new recruits are needed by 2028/29.

Due to the skills shortage of FE teachers in the sector, there is a demand for those who can teach:

  • basic skills (literacy and numeracy)
  • GCSE English and maths
  • vocational skills.

A qualified FE teacher can earn £27,786 to £41,905, with a national average wage of £39,900 for those working full time.

Read about how to become an FE teacher and other jobs in education.

What FE organisations represent each country?

UK colleges are represented by the following organisations specific to each home nation:

  • AoC - The membership organisation representing FE, sixth form, tertiary and specialist colleges in England.
  • Colleges Scotland - The collective voice of the college sector in Scotland.
  • Colleges Wales - An education charity that promotes the public benefit of further education in Wales.
  • Northern Ireland (NI) Direct - Oversees the two university colleges, six FE colleges and an agri-food and land-based college in NI.

Where are colleges based?

In England, colleges are available throughout the country, so there are plenty of options, including:

  • North West - 39
  • South East - 31
  • London - 30
  • Yorkshire and the Humber - 26
  • West Midlands - 23
  • South West - 20
  • East - 19
  • North East - 13
  • East Midlands - 12.

Find out more

Written by Daniel Higginbotham, senior editor

Prospects · July 2026