This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2008)

Students attend a lecture at a tertiary institution.

Number of tertiary graduates in Europe by country. Numbers are in thousands.

Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage, third level, and post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as a high school, secondary school, or gymnasium. Higher education is taken to include undergraduate and postgraduate education, while vocational education and training beyond secondary education is known as further education in the United Kingdom, or higher education in the United States.

Colleges, universities, institutes of technology and polytechnics are the main institutions that provide tertiary education (sometimes known collectively as tertiary institutions). Tertiary education generally culminates in the receipt of certificates, diplomas, or academic degrees.

[edit] Usage in varying national contexts

[edit] United Kingdom

"Tertiary education" includes further education (FE), as well as higher education (HE). A "tertiary college", which is now often known as a FE College, is a college offering courses such as A Levels, that allow progression to HE, alongside vocational courses.

[edit] See also

• Education Index
• Education by country
• List of colleges and universities by country

 Stages of formal education   (Portal)  

Preschool →	Kindergarten →	Primary →	Middle →	Secondary →	————— Tertiary —————
					Vocational, Further	—— Higher education ——
						Undergraduate →	Postgraduate
Also: Early childhood education, Alternative education (Homeschooling), Adult education