College facts for kids
A college is a place where people go to learn, usually after they finish high school. The word "college" comes from the Latin word collegium, which means a group of people working together.
Colleges can be different things depending on where you are in the world. Sometimes, a college is a big school that gives out special degrees. Other times, it's just one part of a larger university. Colleges can also teach you specific job skills.
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What is a College?
In the United States, people often use the words "college" and "university" to mean the same thing. However, a college can also be a smaller part of a bigger university. For example, a university might have a "College of Arts and Sciences."
In places like the United Kingdom, Australia, and India, "college" can mean different types of schools:
- It might be a secondary school or high school.
- It could be a place for "further education," which means learning after high school but before university.
- It can be a training center that teaches skills for specific jobs.
- It might be a school that offers higher education but isn't a full university.
- It can also be a part of a larger university, just like in the U.S.
Different Kinds of Colleges
There are many types of colleges, each with a different focus.
Liberal Arts Colleges
Some colleges are called liberal arts colleges. These schools focus on a wide range of subjects like history, literature, science, and art. They help students think critically and learn about many different topics. Williams College in the U.S. is an example of a well-known liberal arts college.
Technical and Vocational Colleges
Other colleges are more focused on teaching specific skills for jobs. These are often called technical colleges or vocational colleges. They might teach you how to be an electrician, a nurse, or a computer technician. The Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee is an example of a technical institution.
Colleges within Universities
Many large universities are made up of several smaller colleges. For example, the University of London has many colleges, like King's College London. Students might apply to a specific college within a university. This can help make a big university feel like a smaller community.
International Examples
Colleges exist all over the world, and their roles can vary greatly:
- In Finland, a college like Seinäjoki College might offer different types of higher education.
- In Ireland, Trinity College Dublin is a historic and famous university.
- In South Africa, schools like St John's College are often secondary schools for boys.
- In Sri Lanka, Royal College Colombo is another example of a boys' secondary school.
No matter where you are, a college is a place dedicated to learning and helping students grow.
Images for kids
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Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States.
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Seinäjoki College in Seinäjoki, South Ostrobothnia, Finland, in May 2018.
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King's College London, established by a Royal Charter in 1829, is one of the founding colleges of the University of London.
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Scotch College, Melbourne, an independent secondary school in Australia.
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St John's College, Johannesburg, a boys' school in South Africa.
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The Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee is the oldest technical institution in Asia.
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Parliament Square, Trinity College Dublin in Ireland.
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ORT Braude College of Engineering
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The University of Otago in New Zealand.
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Saint Anselm College
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Bowdoin College
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Agnes Scott College
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SUNY Purchase College
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See also
In Spanish: College para niños
