Tertiary education

Tertiary education, also called higher education or post-secondary education, is learning that comes after finishing secondary school. It includes places like universities, colleges, and vocational schools. This type of education helps people gain special skills and knowledge.

Students in tertiary education usually earn certificates, diplomas, or academic degrees. It is important because it prepares people for jobs and helps them learn new skills. As technology changes the way we work, having this education becomes more important for finding good jobs.

Definition

Higher education, also called post-secondary or tertiary education, is learning that comes after finishing secondary school. It includes places like universities, colleges, and polytechnics where students can earn degrees.

In the past, not many students went beyond primary school, so "higher education" sometimes meant secondary education. This is why some schools for teens are called high school.

History

The oldest known places for learning were in ancient Egypt, called "houses of life." These were like libraries where people studied subjects such as law, math, and medicine.

In ancient Greece, schools like Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum became models for later schools. In China, during the Han dynasty, special schools taught important classics to prepare students for government jobs.

In the 7th century, cathedral schools began in Western Europe, and the first Madrasahs were founded in the Muslim world. The University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco is recognized as the oldest continuously operating higher education institution. The University of Bologna in Italy, founded in 1088, is the oldest university in the modern sense.

Since World War II, many countries have seen more people attending higher education. This has been important for their economies.

Enrollment

More students are going to school after high school around the world. In 2000, about 19 out of every 100 people went. By 2017, that grew to 38 out of 100. More girls than boys are joining these schools.

In countries with less money, only about 9 out of 100 people go to school after high school. But in richer countries, about 77 out of 100 people do. We hope to see even more students join these schools in the future, especially in countries that are growing fast.

Every country wants to make sure everyone can keep learning, no matter their age. This includes going to school after high school. Many rules around the world say that everyone should have the chance to go to these schools.

Grade and educational inflation

Some schools that teach students after high school have been criticized for giving out higher grades than students sometimes deserve. Some experts think that too many students are finishing school in certain subjects. This can mean there aren't enough jobs for everyone after they finish their studies. This can cause young people to not have the jobs they expected or to have jobs that don’t need all their training.

Effects

See also: Academic bias

People who finish their studies at a college or university often have different ideas and values than those who do not. They usually support diversity and have more positive feelings toward different groups of people. These graduates tend to support open policies, like free trade, open borders, and easier rules for international migration.

Finishing school can help a country grow its economy and can lead to better jobs and less poverty for individuals. Investing in education helps both people and the government.

Providers

In the U.S., higher education is offered by universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, conservatories, and institutes of technology. There are also special schools like vocational schools, universities of applied sciences, trade schools, and career-based colleges that award degrees. Education that does not lead to a degree is sometimes called further education or continuing education.

Higher education includes teaching and research. It covers both undergraduate studies and more advanced graduate-level or postgraduate studies, often called graduate school in North America. Besides learning specific skills for a job, students also develop important abilities such as critical thinking, working well in teams, understanding information, making good choices, solving problems, and communicating clearly.

Statistics

This section shows how much money countries spend on education after high school.

Another table shows how many adults in each country finished education after high school.

A report from 2014 says that by that year, most young people in wealthy countries finished high school. People with education after high school earned more money than others. For the first time, more young women finished high school than young men. More people were going to university than ever before. By 2014, many people aged 25–34 were studying at a university.

By region

Australia

In Australia, "tertiary education" means the studies a student takes after finishing secondary school. Options include universities, technical and further education (TAFE), and private universities.

Europe

Although tertiary education in the EU includes university, it can differ from country to country.

France

After going to nursery school (French: école maternelle), elementary school (French: école primaire), middle school (French: collège), and high school (French: lycée), a student may go to university, but may also stop at that point.

Italy

See also: Higher education in Italy and List of universities in Italy

Education in Italy is compulsory from 6 to 16 years of age. It is divided into five stages: kindergarten (scuola dell'infanzia), primary school (scuola primaria or scuola elementare), lower secondary school (scuola secondaria di primo grado or scuola media inferiore), upper secondary school (scuola secondaria di secondo grado or scuola media superiore) and university (università). Education is free in Italy and available to children of all nationalities who live there. Italy has both private and public universities. The University of Bologna is the oldest one ever. Most universities in Italy are supported by the government.

Kazakhstan

Main article: Higher education in Kazakhstan

Tertiary education in Kazakhstan follows laws set by the government. It includes universities and other higher-education institutions. The government oversees these schools.

Portugal

Main article: Higher education in Portugal

Ukraine

Main article: Higher education in Ukraine

United Kingdom

Under devolution in the United Kingdom, education is handled separately in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. In England, "tertiary education" means the same as "higher education" (study after age 18). In Wales, the term "tertiary education" was adopted in 2018 to include education and training for people older than 16. Some special further education colleges in England and Wales call themselves "tertiary colleges" even though they are part of secondary education. These schools teach both students leaving secondary school and adults.

North America

Canada

Main article: Higher education in Canada

United States

Main article: Higher education in the United States

The higher education system in the United States is organized separately by each state. Schools can be run by private groups or by state and local governments. The United States Department of Education gives an overview of tertiary education.

Africa

Nigeria

In Nigeria, tertiary education means education after secondary school. This can be found at universities (run by the government or private groups), monotechnics, polytechnics and colleges of education. After secondary school, students may go to a tertiary school or get vocational education. Students must take exams to enter a tertiary institution.

Asia

Japan

Main article: Higher education in Japan

The Ministry of Education and UNESCO say tertiary education in Japan includes university education, two-year colleges (Tanki Daigaku), colleges of technology and specialized colleges.

Hong Kong

Main article: Higher education in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong "tertiary education" or "higher education" means any education after secondary school. This includes universities, post-secondary colleges, public universities, and government-funded schools.

Philippines

Main article: Higher education in the Philippines

Singapore

Main article: Education in Singapore

In Singapore, "tertiary education" or "Post-secondary Education" means any education after secondary school. This includes, Junior Colleges, Centralised institutes, Polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education and Universities.