The difference between higher and further education can be a common cause of confusion. Further education is used to describe the education that occurs following compulsory post-16 secondary education, which is usually distinct from that offered in universities (higher education). It includes a few different levels such as A-Levels and Higher National Diplomas. Foundation Degrees are also a type of further education and take 2 years to complete compared with the 3-4 years of most bachelor's degrees which are offered by both universities and colleges. Sometimes it is possible to extend a Foundation Degree to a bachelor's degree, with one year or more of extra study.

Further education is usually taught in the sixth-form college part of a school or in independent further education colleges, as well as in other work-based, adult and community learning institutions in the United States, further education is sometimes referred to as continuing education.

Higher education primarily describes post-18 learning that takes place at universities, as well as other colleges and institutions that award academic degrees, and professional qualifications. While higher education is the common name in the UK and Ireland, it is also known as post-secondary, tertiary and third level education.