higher education: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Neutral
Quick answer
What does “higher education” mean?
Education provided by universities, colleges, and other institutions that award academic degrees, typically following secondary school.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Education provided by universities, colleges, and other institutions that award academic degrees, typically following secondary school.
A formal stage of learning involving advanced study, research, and specialized professional training, leading to qualifications like bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. It often implies a focus on critical thinking, academic scholarship, and preparation for skilled professions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'higher education' (HE) is often used to distinguish it from 'further education' (FE), which is non-degree vocational training. In the US, the term is synonymous with 'postsecondary education' or 'tertiary education', encompassing colleges and universities.
Connotations
Both carry strong connotations of academic advancement and professional qualification. In the UK, it may more explicitly imply the university sector versus technical colleges.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both, with near-identical core meaning and usage. The term is standard in policy, news, and academic discourse in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “higher education” in a Sentence
N + in higher educationV (e.g., pursue, enter) + higher educationAdj (e.g., public, private) + higher educationhigher education + N (e.g., sector, degree)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “higher education” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government plans to reform how we fund higher education.
American English
- She decided to pursue higher education on the East Coast.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company recruits graduates from top higher education institutions.
Academic
Recent studies on the funding models for higher education were published.
Everyday
She's hoping to go into higher education after her A-levels.
Technical
The Bologna Process aims to ensure comparability in the standards of higher education qualifications across Europe.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “higher education”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “higher education”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “higher education”
- Using 'high education' (incorrect). Using it as a plural countable noun (*'higher educations'). Confusing with 'further education' (UK) or 'community college' (US) in specific contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'University' is a specific type of institution that provides higher education. 'Higher education' is the broader concept, which can also be provided by colleges, institutes of technology, and other accredited institutions.
In the UK, 'further education' (FE) typically refers to non-advanced education and training after secondary school, often vocational (e.g., NVQs, BTECs, apprenticeships). 'Higher education' (HE) refers to degree-level and above study at universities and some colleges.
No, it is generally an uncountable noun. You do not use an indefinite article. Correct: 'She has higher education.' or 'She received a higher education.' (Here 'a' refers to a 'type/form of'). Incorrect: 'She has a higher education.' in most contexts is awkward.
'Postsecondary education' is a very common and precise synonym in American English. Informally, Americans might also simply say 'college', as in 'go to college', even if referring to university.
Education provided by universities, colleges, and other institutions that award academic degrees, typically following secondary school.
Higher education is usually formal, neutral in register.
Higher education: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ.ər ˌed.jʊˈkeɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ.ɚ ˌed.jʊˈkeɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Ivory tower (sometimes pejoratively associated with higher education)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HIGHER' than school. It's the education you get HIGHER up the academic ladder, after high school.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION IS A LADDER/JOURNEY (climbing to a higher level of learning).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically considered part of 'higher education'?