What Is Higher Education? Definition, Types, and Why It Matters for Your Child’s Future

Higher education is the stage of learning that comes after secondary school, the universities, colleges, and specialist institutions where students earn degrees, diplomas, and professional qualifications. For many families, though, it can still feel like a distant and complicated milestone. What does it actually involve? How is it structured? And how early does the journey towards it really begin?

This article explains what higher education means, the levels and qualifications within it, and how the right school environment, like The ABC International School (ABCIS) in Ho Chi Minh City, helps students build towards it from the earliest years.

Key Takeaways

• Higher education refers to study after secondary school, including universities, colleges, and vocational institutions.
• It offers a range of qualifications, from degrees to diplomas and certificates.
• Beyond academics, it supports skill development, personal growth, and global opportunities.
• Not all students follow the same path, and different options may suit different individuals.
• Early preparation within a supportive school environment can make the transition smoother and more successful.
• Higher education sits above further education (such as A Levels) and spans levels 4 to 8 of formal qualification frameworks, from bachelor’s degrees up to doctorates.

What Is Higher Education?

Higher education refers to any formal education undertaken after secondary school, usually at a university, college, or specialist institution, that leads to a recognised qualification such as a degree, diploma, or certificate. It is sometimes called tertiary education, or informally “higher studies.”

Unlike school, higher education is built around independent learning, critical thinking, research, and deep specialisation in a chosen field. Students take far greater ownership of their study, and assessment rewards analysis and original thinking rather than recall.

So what counts as higher education? The simplest test is the level of the qualification. Any programme that requires a completed secondary education to enter, and that leads to a degree, higher diploma, or equivalent, is higher education. Undergraduate study, such as a bachelor’s degree, is the entry point, which is why the answer to “is undergraduate study higher education?” is yes.

Higher Education vs Tertiary Education 

The two terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a useful distinction. Tertiary education is the broad umbrella for all post-secondary study: it covers both higher education (degree-level academic and professional study) and technical and vocational education and training (TVET). In everyday use, and throughout this article, “higher education” refers specifically to degree-level and equivalent study.

What Counts as Higher Education? The Main Types

Higher education is not a single pathway. It includes a range of options designed to suit different interests, strengths, and goals.

1. Universities

Universities offer academic programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Students can pursue:

• Bachelor’s degrees
• Master’s degrees
• Doctoral (PhD) qualifications

These institutions often combine teaching with research, encouraging deeper exploration of subjects.

2. Colleges

Colleges may focus on undergraduate education or offer more flexible, career-oriented programmes. They often provide:

• Diplomas
• Foundation courses
• Associate degrees (in some systems)

For many students, colleges offer a more personalised learning environment.

3. Vocational and Technical Institutions

These institutions provide practical, job-focused training. Programmes are designed to develop specific skills for industries such as:

• Engineering
• Hospitality
• Design
• Information technology

Beyond degrees, higher education also includes qualifications such as Higher National Certificates and Diplomas (HNCs and HNDs), foundation degrees, and professional certificates awarded by universities and colleges. These sit at higher-education level even though they are shorter or more applied than a full degree.

The Levels of Higher Education Explained

Higher education is organised into levels, which is usually what people mean when they ask which “stage” or “class” higher education refers to. In the British system these map to the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, where higher education spans levels 4 to 8, from the first year of a degree up to a doctorate. The two main stages are undergraduate and postgraduate.

Undergraduate Qualifications (The First Degree)

This is the first level of university study, for students who have completed secondary school and their A Levels or an equivalent qualification.

• Bachelor’s Degree: The most common undergraduate degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts – BA, Bachelor of Science – BSc). It typically takes three to four years of full-time study and provides a comprehensive foundation in a subject.
• Foundation Degree: A two-year course that combines academic learning with practical workplace skills. It can often be ‘topped up’ to a full Bachelor’s degree with one or more additional years of study.

Postgraduate Qualifications (Advanced Specialisation)

This stage is for students who have already earned an undergraduate degree and wish to specialise further.

• Master’s Degree: An advanced degree that deepens expertise in a particular area (e.g., Master of Arts – MA, Master of Science – MSc). It usually takes one to two years to complete.
• Doctoral Degree (PhD): The highest academic qualification. It involves three or more years of original research and is intended for those aspiring to be leading experts or academics in their field.

What Is a “Higher Degree”? 

Parents often ask what a “higher degree” or “higher education degree” actually means. A higher education degree is simply any degree earned at this level, most commonly a bachelor’s degree at undergraduate level. A “higher degree,” by contrast, usually refers specifically to a postgraduate qualification: a master’s or a doctorate earned after the first degree. In short, every degree here is a higher education qualification, but a “higher degree” points to postgraduate study.

Higher Education by the Numbers

Higher education is one of the fastest-growing stages of education worldwide. According to UNESCO, the only UN agency with a mandate in higher education, global enrolment has more than doubled over the past two decades, yet the gross enrolment ratio still sits at around 43%, with wide gaps between regions. That mix of rising demand and uneven access is exactly why globally recognised qualifications and clear pathways matter so much for today’s students.

For families choosing an international school, the more relevant figure is progression. At ABCIS, more than 95% of students progress to university, many to leading institutions around the world, a reminder that where a child studies at school shapes the university pathways open to them later.

Why is a University Education a Worthwhile Investment?

Choosing to pursue higher education is a significant investment of time and resources, but the outcomes profoundly shape a graduate’s future.

1. Enhanced Career and Earning Potential: A degree is a mandatory requirement for many professions like medicine, law, and engineering. University graduates consistently have higher employment rates and significantly greater lifetime earning potential than non-graduates.
2. Development of Critical Life Skills: University teaches more than just subject knowledge. Students learn to think critically, analyse complex problems, manage their time effectively, and communicate ideas persuasively, skills essential for any career.
3. Personal Growth and Global Networking: Living and studying independently fosters maturity and resilience. Students also connect with peers and faculty from diverse global backgrounds, building a valuable lifelong network.

Further Education vs. Higher Education: What’s the Difference?

In the British education system, these two terms have distinct meanings that are important for parents to understand.

• Further Education (FE): This is the education undertaken after compulsory schooling (age 16) but before the university degree level. A-Levels are the most common form of further education, specifically designed to prepare students for the academic rigour of higher education. Other FE courses can be vocational.
• Higher Education (HE): This refers specifically to degree-level courses taken at a university or similar institution. It begins only after a student has successfully completed their further education qualifications, like A-Levels.

Think of it this way: successfully completing further education is the key that unlocks the door to higher education.

Examples of Higher Education Systems Around the World

Higher education systems vary across countries, but many follow similar structures and offer globally recognised qualifications.

1. United Kingdom

Students typically progress from iGCSE subjects and A Levels, the final school stage often called Key Stage 5, to a university degree, usually three years, with strong subject specialisation from the start.

2. United States

The US system offers greater flexibility. Students often explore a range of subjects before selecting a major, allowing more time to discover their interests.

3. International Pathways

Many students today choose to study across different countries. This can provide:

• Exposure to diverse cultures
• Access to a wider range of universities
• Broader academic and career opportunities

A global perspective is becoming increasingly valuable in today’s interconnected world.

Globally Recognised Qualifications and Student Mobility

One of the biggest advantages of an international education is mobility. Qualifications such as iGCSEs and A Levels are recognised by universities worldwide, and international agreements increasingly make it easier for students to move between countries and have their learning recognised. For a student in Vietnam, that means the door is open not only to Vietnamese universities but to institutions across the UK, US, Australia, and beyond.

Is Higher Education Right for Everyone?

Higher education can open many doors, but it is not the only pathway to a successful future.

Some students may choose alternative routes, such as:

• Vocational training for practical, job-ready skills
• Apprenticeships that combine work and learning
• Direct entry into the workforce

Each pathway offers different benefits. The most suitable choice depends on the student’s interests, strengths, and the future plans they are working towards.

How The ABC International School Supports the Journey to Higher Education

Preparation for higher education begins long before students submit university applications. At ABCIS, a British international school with over 30 years in Ho Chi Minh City and four consecutive “Outstanding” British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection grades, students build the academic foundation, independence, and confidence that higher education demands.

• A strong academic foundation: internationally recognised iGCSEs and A Levels, accredited by Cambridge International and AQA and accepted by universities worldwide.
• Independent learning: students are encouraged to question, explore, and take ownership of their learning, easing the shift to university-style study.
• A balanced environment: extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, and a Work Placement programme develop skills well beyond the classroom.
• Personalised guidance: tailored support helps each family weigh up university, vocational training, or another route, reflected in more than 95% of students progressing to university.

If you are still comparing options, it helps to understand how higher education compares with secondary education, and how to choose the right international school in Ho Chi Minh City.t is considering university, vocational training, or another direction, support is tailored to their individual goals.

Preparing for the Future Starts Early

Higher education is a destination, but the journey towards it starts in the earliest years of school, in the curiosity, habits, and confidence a child builds long before any application. At ABCIS, students are supported at every stage, from strong early foundations to clear pathways beyond school.

To learn more about how ABCIS supports your child’s educational journey, visit a campus or get in touch with the admissions team.

• Trung Son Campus: #152-158, Street No. 1, Trung Son, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Nha Be Campus: #2, Street No. 9, Tan An Huy, Nha Be Commune, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Phone: +84 (0)28 7308 1828
• Email: office@theabcis.com

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