Further Education Further education may be used in a general sense to cover all non-advanced
courses taken after the period of compulsory education. It is post-compulsory
education (in addition to that received at secondary school), that is distinct from the
education offered in universities (higher education). It may be at any level from basic
skills training to higher vocational education such as City and Guilds or Foundation
Degree.
A distinction is usually made between FE and higher education (HE). HE is education
at a higher level than secondary school. This is usually provided in distinct institutions
such as universities. FE in the United Kingdom therefore includes education for
people over 16, usually excluding universities. It is primarily taught in FE colleges,
work-based learning, and adult and community learning institutions. This includes
post-16 courses similar to those taught at schools and sub-degree courses similar to
those taught at higher education (HE) colleges (which also teach degree-level
courses) and at some universities.
Colleges in England that are regarded as part of the FE sector include General FE
(GFE) and tertiary colleges, Sixth form colleges, Specialist colleges (mainly colleges
of agriculture and horticulture and colleges of drama and dance) and Adult education
institutes.
In addition, FE courses may be offered in the school sector, both in sixth form (16-19)
schools, or, more commonly, sixth forms within secondary schools.
In England, further education is often seen as forming one part of a wider learning
and skills sector, alongside workplace education, prison education, and other types
of non-school, non-university education and training. Since June 2009, the sector is
overseen by the new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, although some
parts (such as education and training for 14-19 year olds) fall within the remit of the
Department for Education.