Higher education in Great Britain

The nature of higher education in Great Britain has changed significantly over the past 30 years. The number of students studying at universities and colleges has increased dramatically, with over 2 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 ‘lifelong learning’, which is not limited to the compulsory school years, but extends through an adult’s working life and sometimes into retirement. Higher education is available at universities, colleges, institutions of higher and further education.