college definition uk

Sixth form colleges provide high-quality academic education to 16 to 18-year-olds enabling them to progress to university or higher level vocational education.
Colleges are inspirational places to learn because education and training is delivered by expert teaching staff in industry-standard facilities. From basic skills to postgraduate degrees, colleges offer first rate academic and vocational teaching, in a range of professions including engineering, hospitality, IT, construction and the creative arts.

Institutions that offer degree-level courses in the UK are called either ‘recognised’ or ‘listed’ bodies.
Recognised bodies are higher learning institutions that can award degrees.

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References:

http://www.gov.uk/check-a-university-is-officially-recognised
http://ukcisa.org.uk/Research–Policy/Statistics/International-student-statistics-UK-higher-education
http://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school