Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage, third level, and post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education. Higher education is taken to include undergraduate and postgraduate education, while vocational education and training beyond secondary education is known as further education in the United Kingdom, or continuing education in the United States.

Colleges, universities and polytechnics are the main institutions that provide tertiary education (sometimes known collectively as tertiary institutions). Tertiary education generally culminates in the receipt of certificates, diplomas, or academic degrees.

University students who undergo their first years in tertiary education face new challenges as university life is a learning environment where independent study is central to education. Interaction between the students and lecturers is limited. In tertiary education, analytical skills take precedence over the ability to memorize. Hence, for a successful academic result, students must strive hard and utilize all possible resources. This includes writing down all the major points from lectures and taking advantage of all available materials - using the supportive mediums provided by institutions such as online lecture notes and PowerPoint presentations.