Tertiary education" includes further education (FE), as well as higher education (HE). Since the 1970s specialized FE colleges called “tertiary colleges” have been set up to offer courses such as A Levels, that allow progression to HE, alongside vocational courses. An early example of this which expanded in September 1982 as part of a reorganization of education in the Halesowen area which also saw three-tier education axed after just 10 years in force.[3]
In some areas where schools do not universally offer sixth forms, tertiary colleges function as a sixth form college as well as a general FE college.
Unlike sixth form colleges, the staff join lecturers' rather than teachers' unions.