This dissertation describes an investigation into student retention and achievement in English further education colleges. General and tertiary (GTE) colleges offer largely, but not exclusively, vocational qualifications (some do offer A-levels) to full and part time students. Sixth form colleges at the time of this study focused largely on full time students studying academic A-levels. 84% of sixth form colleges in the sample had more than 50% of A-levels in their curricula. 90% of the GTE colleges had less than 28% of A-levels in their curricula. Overall the sixth form colleges had higher retention and achievement rates than GTE colleges. The work carried out in this study confirms that in both sectors there was a wide range of performance differences between colleges. A major principle of government policy was founded on the contested belief that effective management was at the root of college performance. Other research suggested that students' personal circumstances and previous educational experiences would be significantly influential in explaining differences between colleges.