A sixth form college is an educational institution where students aged 16 to 19 study typically for advanced post-school level qualifications such as A Levels, Business and Technology Education Council, and other vocational qualifications. Here are some key differences between sixth form colleges and school sixth forms:

Sixth Form Colleges:

• Focus solely on educating students aged 16-18.
• Are often larger than school sixth forms and often offer a wider range of courses including technical and vocational qualifications.
• Are separate from secondary schools and offer the same provision as a school sixth form.
• Have a much larger and more diverse population of students, providing students with a greater sense of independence and opportunities for socializing and making new friends.
• Often have more extensive resources than school sixth forms, including state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

School Sixth Forms:

• Are typically an extension of a secondary school with students continuing their studies at the same location.
• Offer A-levels, BTECs, and sometimes the International Baccalaureate.
• Are usually smaller than sixth form colleges and offer a narrower range of courses.

In the UK, sixth form colleges provide education to students in Years 12 and 13, so that they can gain the qualifications needed to take them on to the next stages of their career. Sixth form is classed as further education, which is compulsory in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. There are currently over 90 sixth form colleges in England and Wales, and most of these perform extremely well in national examination league tables.