Pupil vs. Student: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 13, 2024
Pupil is traditionally a young learner, especially in primary or secondary school. Student is a learner at any level, often used for those in higher education.
Key Differences
Pupil generally refers to a young learner, especially in elementary and secondary schools. Student is a broader term, encompassing learners of all ages and educational levels, including college and university.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 13, 2024
Pupils are often under direct supervision and guidance of teachers, indicating a more dependent learning relationship. In contrast, students, particularly in higher education, are expected to engage in more independent and self-directed learning.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 13, 2024
The term pupil implies a more formative stage of education, focusing on basic skills and knowledge. Student, however, can imply a more advanced or specialized level of study, often involving research and critical analysis.
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Jan 13, 2024
In certain legal and administrative contexts, pupil can have specific implications related to age and guardianship. Conversely, student is a more universal term, applicable in a variety of educational settings without such specific connotations.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 13, 2024
While pupil is more commonly used in British English to refer to schoolchildren, student is universally understood and used in both British and American English to refer to individuals engaged in learning at any educational institution.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 13, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Age Group
Typically children and teenagers in primary and secondary education.
Learners of any age, often associated with higher education.
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Jan 13, 2024
Level of Education
Basic education, learning foundational skills.
Any educational level, often implying more advanced studies.
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Jan 13, 2024
Learning Relationship
More dependent on teacher's guidance.
More independent and self-directed learning.
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Jan 13, 2024
Usage
More common in British English for schoolchildren.
Universally used in both British and American English.
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Jan 13, 2024
Connotation
Implies formative stages of education.
Can imply a broader, more advanced level of study.
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Jan 13, 2024
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Pupil and Student Definitions
Pupil
A young learner, especially in primary or secondary school.
The pupil eagerly raised his hand to answer the question.
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Student
A learner or someone who attends an educational institution.
The student body elected a new president for the student council.
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Pupil
A person who is taught by another, especially a schoolchild.
The pupil studied diligently for her final exams.
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Dec 18, 2023
Student
Someone who studies a particular subject.
As a law student, she spent hours in the library researching cases.
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Pupil
A student in a lower level of education.
The art teacher praised the creativity of her young pupils.
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Student
A person who is studying at a school or college.
The student submitted her thesis for the final year project.
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Pupil
Someone who receives instruction from a teacher.
The pupil stayed after class for extra help with math.
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Student
One who is enrolled or attends classes at a school, college, or university.
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Dec 13, 2023
Pupil
A minor under the supervision of a teacher.
Each pupil in the class presented their science project.
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Student
A person who studies or learns about a particular subject.
She is a student of human interactions.
He is a student of life.
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Dec 13, 2023
Pupil
The apparently black circular opening in the center of the iris of the eye, through which light passes to the retina.
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Dec 13, 2023
Student
A person who is formally enrolled at a school, a college or university, or another educational institution.
The students were out raising funds for rag week.
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Student
(in particular) A person who is enrolled at a college or university primary]] or secondary school.
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Dec 13, 2023
Pupil
One who studies under supervision of a renowned expert in their field.
Plato was Socrates' pupil, and in turn Aristotle was Plato's pupil.
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Dec 13, 2023
Student
A person engaged in study; one who is devoted to learning; a learner; a pupil; a scholar; especially, one who attends a school, or who seeks knowledge from professional teachers or from books; as, the students of an academy, a college, or a university; a medical student; a hard student.
Keep a gamester from the dice, and a good student from his book.
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Dec 13, 2023
Student
One who studies or examines in any manner; an attentive and systematic observer; as, a student of human nature, or of physical nature.
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Dec 13, 2023
Pupil
(anatomy) The hole in the middle of the iris of the eye, through which light passes to be focused on the retina.
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Dec 13, 2023
Student
A learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines
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Dec 13, 2023
Pupil
The aperture in the iris; the sight, apple, or black of the eye. See the Note under Eye, and Iris.
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Dec 13, 2023
Student
An individual engaged in learning, especially one enrolled in a course of study.
The student excelled in his university courses.
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Dec 18, 2023
Pupil
A youth or scholar of either sex under the care of an instructor or tutor.
Too far in years to be a pupil now.
Tutors should behave reverently before their pupils.
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Dec 13, 2023
Student
An individual who dedicates themselves to acquiring knowledge.
He was a diligent student, always curious to learn more.
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Pupil
A boy or a girl under the age of puberty, that is, under fourteen if a male, and under twelve if a female.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are all children pupils?
Generally, children in primary and secondary education are considered pupils.
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Jan 13, 2024
Is the term pupil outdated?
In some contexts, especially in American English, it can be considered less common.
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Jan 13, 2024
What is a pupil?
A pupil is typically a young learner in primary or secondary school.
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Jan 13, 2024
What is a student?
A student is anyone engaged in learning, often used for those in higher education.
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Jan 13, 2024
What does being a student imply?
Being a student implies being engaged in learning, often at a more advanced level.
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Jan 13, 2024
Can university attendees be called pupils?
Typically, they are referred to as students, not pupils.
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Jan 13, 2024
Do pupils study independently?
Pupils usually rely more on teacher guidance compared to students in higher education.
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Jan 13, 2024
Can adults be pupils?
The term is less commonly used for adults, but in the context of adult education, it can be applicable.
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Jan 13, 2024
Is a pupil always in a formal education setting?
Typically, yes, especially in primary and secondary schools.
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Jan 13, 2024
Can a student be self-taught?
Yes, the term student can apply to self-taught individuals.
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Jan 13, 2024
What responsibilities do students have?
Students are responsible for their own learning, research, and academic progress.
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Jan 13, 2024
Are there different expectations for pupils and students?
Yes, expectations vary based on their educational level and autonomy.
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Jan 13, 2024
Are students always in college or university?
No, students can be learners at any educational level.
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Jan 13, 2024
Is pupil used more in the UK?
Yes, it's more commonly used in British English.
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Jan 13, 2024
Do pupils have more structured learning?
Yes, pupils in primary and secondary education often have a more structured curriculum.
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Jan 13, 2024
Are college attendees in the UK called students or pupils?
They are generally referred to as students.
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Jan 13, 2024
Can the term pupil apply to apprentices?
Historically, yes, though it's less common now.
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Jan 13, 2024
Can a pupil also be a student?
Yes, as pupil is a subset of student, referring to younger learners.
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Jan 13, 2024
Is the term student universally understood?
Yes, student is a universally recognized term for learners at any level.
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Jan 13, 2024
Do students have more academic freedom?
Generally, students, especially in higher education, have more academic freedom.
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Jan 13, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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