The term college (Latincollegium) is most often used today to denote an educational institution. More broadly, it can be the name of any group of colleagues (see for example electoral college, College of Arms). Originally it meant a group of people living together under a common set of rules (con-, "together" + leg-, "law"); indeed, some colleges call their members "fellows". The precise usage of the term varies among English-speaking countries.
United Kingdom
British usage of the word "college" remains the loosest, encompassing a range of institutions:
In general use, a "college" refers to; institutions between secondary school and university, colleges of further education and adult education. Many types of institutions have "college" in its name but are not "colleges" in the general use of the word. For example Eton College would not be referred to as a college, but as a school or by its full name Eton College website using school as the educational institute but College as the name.
University of Cambridge: The Colleges - Information about the college system, and contact details for each of the colleges.
Meta Description: [ There are 31 Colleges in Cambridge that house and teach all students enrolled in courses of study or research at the University. Each College is an independent institution with its own property and
income. ]