Tertiary education - Definition and Overview

Tertiary education, also referred to as third-stage or third level education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education such as a high school, secondary school, or gymnasium. Tertiary education is commonly higher education which prepares students for a quaternary education, but it can also be vocational education and training. Colleges and universities are examples of institutions that provide tertiary education. Tertiary education generally culminates in the receipt of a degree: vocational certification, Associate's degrees, or Bachelor's degrees (B.A. or B.S.).

See also

• Academic degree
• Education by country
• List of colleges and universities by country