Where Did James Corden Go to College?

James Corden is a popular British actor, writer, producer, comedian and television host who has become well-known in the United States for hosting the late night talk show The Late Late Show with James Corden on CBS.

But before Corden became a household name across the pond, he was just a teenager in England trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his life after finishing secondary school.

So where exactly did James Corden go to college? Let’s take a closer look at Corden’s educational background and path to stardom.

What Level of Education Did James Corden Complete in the UK?

The British education system differs somewhat from the American system. In the UK, students attend “primary” school from ages 4-11 and then move on to “secondary” school from ages 11-16. After finishing secondary school at age 16, British students have several options:

• Leave school entirely and start working
• Pursue vocational training like an apprenticeship
• Continue to a Sixth Form College for 2 additional years of school (ages 16-18)
• Enroll in a college or university

So what route did James Corden take after completing secondary school?

James Corden Attended Holmer Green Senior School

Corden was born and raised in Buckinghamshire, England. He attended several primary schools in the area before moving on to Holmer Green Senior School for his secondary school education from ages 11-16.

Holmer Green Senior School is a state-run secondary school located in the village of Holmer Green in Buckinghamshire. At the time Corden attended in the 1990s, it was known as Holmer Green Upper School.

According to various reports, Corden had an enjoyable experience at Holmer Green, where he took an interest in drama and music. He began acting in school productions and was reportedly a popular, outgoing student.

He Then Moved on to Sixth Form College

After completing his GCSE exams at age 16, James Corden decided to continue his education at a Sixth Form College for two additional years beyond secondary school.

Sixth Form Colleges in the UK are focused on students ages 16-18 preparing for their A-Level exams, which are necessary for admission to universities in Britain. The vast majority of British students who wish to attend university complete two years of Sixth Form.

James Corden attended Henley College in Coventry for Sixth Form. At Henley, he studied drama and continued to act in school productions.

So in summary, after finishing primary and secondary school in Buckinghamshire, Corden completed his pre-university education at a Sixth Form College in Coventry. This gave him his A-Level qualifications.

What Degree Did James Corden Earn at University?

After completing his A-Levels at age 18, James Corden was accepted to the University of Exeter in Devon, England in 1996.

However, Corden did not complete his degree at Exeter. Here are the key facts about his college experience:

• University Attended: University of Exeter
• Years Attended: 1996-1997 academic year
• Degree Program: Bachelors (BA) in Drama and English Literature
• Did He Graduate? No, Corden left Exeter after his first year.

So while Corden was at Exeter for a year studying drama and English, he did not complete his degree. After the 1996-1997 academic year, Corden opted to leave higher education and pursue an acting career right away.

Why Did Corden Leave University Early?

By all accounts, James Corden enjoyed his studies at Exeter but decided the university environment was not for him after a year.

Corden has stated in several interviews that he “loved his course” but struggled with some aspects of university life. In particular, he found living away from home challenging since he comes from a very close family.

Additionally, Corden has said the feedback he received during his first year acting in plays at Exeter made him believe he could make it as a professional actor sooner rather than later. The positive response gave him the confidence to leave school early.

So while Corden seemed to thrive in his actual drama studies, he ultimately decided the overall university experience was not the right path for him. The option to leave higher education and pursue acting full-time at age 19 was likely too tempting to pass up.

He Did Not Obtain an Undergraduate Degree

Since James Corden left the University of Exeter after only 1 year, he did not earn an undergraduate degree there.

Corden does not seem to have regrets over this decision – his acting career took off rapidly in his early 20s. However, he also does not hold a university degree.

Some key facts:

• He attended Exeter for only the 1996-1997 academic year.
• This means he completed roughly one year of an undergraduate program.
• Corden did not finish his BA program in Drama and English Literature.
• He does not hold a degree from Exeter or any other university.

While lacking a degree hasn’t hampered his success, Corden has commented that he still occasionally has nightmares of being unqualified. But for the most part, he seems content with his choice to leave university early.

How Did Corden Launch His Acting Career After College?

While an unfinished stint at Exeter is the extent of James Corden’s university education, leaving college early proved to be the right move for kickstarting his acting career. Here’s a quick look at how Corden got his big break:

• 1996: Left Exeter after 1st year to pursue acting full-time.
• 1999: Landed first TV role on British series Fat Friends.
• 2000s: Rose to fame in the UK with hit shows like Teachers and Gavin & Stacey.
• 2010: Starred on Broadway in One Man, Two Guvnors to rave reviews.
• 2015: Took over as host of The Late Late Show in the US.

So although Corden did not obtain a degree, he swiftly built up an impressive acting resume after leaving Exeter. Key highlights included breakthrough performances in Fat Friends and Gavin & Stacey as well as a Tony Award-winning run in One Man, Two Guvnors on Broadway.

Corden has never seemed to view his lack of a degree as an obstacle to being a successful performer. And given his stellar career achievements to date, it looks like he made the right choice.

James Corden’s Education Compared to Other Talk Show Hosts

James Corden took an unconventional path to becoming a late night talk show host without finishing university. How does his educational background compare to some other popular American talk show hosts?

James Corden

• Attended University of Exeter for 1 year, did not complete BA degree
• Left university at age 19 to pursue acting career
• Landed breakout role in 1999 TV series Fat Friends
• Hosted The Late Late Show starting in 2015

Jimmy Fallon

• Graduated from College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY with a BA in Communications
• First break into comedy was standup routine while still in college
• Joined SNL as a cast member in 1998
• Took over as host of The Tonight Show in 2014

Stephen Colbert

• Earned a BA in Theatre from Northwestern University in 1986
• Began career in improv comedy with Second City troupe
• Was on The Daily Show from 1997-2005
• Host of The Late Show since 2015

Jimmy Kimmel

• Attended University of Nevada Las Vegas but did not complete a degree
• Left university after one year to pursue radio career
• Co-hosted The Man Show from 1999-2004
• Has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003

James Corden vs. Other Hosts: Key Takeaways

• Corden took the least traditional path by leaving university after only 1 year
• Fallon and Colbert both earned 4-year degrees that helped prepare them for entertainment careers
• Kimmel mirrors Corden in leaving college after 1 year to jumpstart media career
• Having a degree hasn’t been a necessity for Corden or Kimmel’s success as hosts

So while Corden stands out for minimal university education, he proves you don’t need a degree to make it as a popular late night show host. His natural performing talent was the key.

How James Corden’s Lack of Degree Has Affected His Net Worth

Given James Corden’s incredible success as an entertainer on both sides of the Atlantic, how has his decision to leave university early affected his earning potential and net worth?

Estimated Net Worth

According to multiple reports, James Corden’s current estimated net worth is approximately $25 million. This reflects his:

• Earnings as host of The Late Late Show (estimated $6 million/year)
• Film and TV salaries over his career
• Production company profits
• Real estate investments

For someone who is not yet 45 years old, a net worth in the mid 9 figures is clearly impressive.

How Lack of Degree Has Impacted Net Worth

So how has not having a university degree affected Corden’s ability to build such substantial wealth? There are a few factors:

• No student loan debt – Skipping finishing university helped Corden avoid thousands in student loans. This enabled him to keep more of his acting income.
• Swift rise to fame – Leaving Exeter early allowed Corden to start auditioning and working right away. This led to landing big roles in his early 20s.
• Self-confidence – Corden has said positive feedback at Exeter made him realize he could succeed as an actor without a degree.

Overall, while Corden may have missed out on some learning opportunities, leaving university early does not seem to have hindered his ability to become a high earner. The hands-on experience and self-assurance appear to have been more valuable than a degree in his case.

Net Worth Comparison to Educated Hosts

How does Corden’s estimated $25 million net worth stack up against other late night hosts who graduated college?

• Jimmy Fallon – $60 million
• Stephen Colbert – $75 million
• Jimmy Kimmel – $50 million

Fallon and Kimmel are worth more than Corden, but Colbert’s net worth is comparable despite having a degree. This suggests that while a degree may boost earning potential, it hasn’t been make-or-break for Corden. His natural talents have enabled him to become quite wealthy without one.

Could He Have Earned More with a Degree?

It’s impossible to say for certain, but James Corden conceivably could have earned even more over his career had he finished his BA in Drama. A degree may have opened additional opportunities earlier on.

However, Corden’s lack of degree has not prevented him from becoming an A-list star and building an impressive $25 million net worth. At the end of the day, his raw skills have always been more important.

While a degree may provide long-term benefits, leaving Exeter early was the right move for Corden’s earning power in the near term. And he hasn’t seemed to suffer financially from that choice.

Conclusion

In summary, while James Corden attended the University of Exeter for one year in the 1990s, he does not hold a university degree. Corden left higher education at age 19 to pursue an acting career that swiftly took off in Britain.

Though lacking a BA, Corden’s natural comedic and performing talents enabled him to build a top-tier resume across stage, film, and television. And even without academic credentials, Corden has become an extremely high earner and carved out a $25 million net worth.

Leaving Exeter early was clearly the optimal path for Corden to achieve superstardom and financial success at a young age. While a degree may have helped round out his education, it hasn’t hampered his ability to become an A-list entertainer on both sides of the Atlantic.

So while James Corden doesn’t have a college degree, he has capitalized on his raw talents to become one of the most popular hosts on late night television. For Corden, on-the-job experience and honing his craft has proven more valuable than years in a lecture hall. Though his education may have stopped short, his entertainment career is still going strong.

Frequently Asked Questions About James Corden’s Education

James Corden’s journey from studying drama in England to becoming a top entertainer in Hollywood is an interesting one. Here are answers to some common questions about Corden’s educational background and path to stardom.

What age did James Corden finish school?

Corden completed secondary school at age 16 after finishing his GCSE exams at Holmer Green Senior School in Buckinghamshire. This is the typical age students finish secondary school in the UK.

Did James Corden drop out of college?

Technically, no. Corden left the University of Exeter after completing his first year in 1997. But he was not forced out for academic or disciplinary reasons. He made the choice to leave on his own to pursue acting full-time rather than dropping out involuntarily.

Does James Corden have a degree from university?

No, James Corden does not have a university degree. He studied Drama and English Literature at the University of Exeter from 1996-1997 but did not complete the three-year Bachelor’s degree program.

How did James Corden become famous without a degree?

Corden left university in 1997 at age 19 to focus on his acting career. He was able to land roles like Fat Friends in 1999 and Gavin & Stacey in 2007 that catapulted him to fame in the UK without needing a degree. His natural talent and charisma made up for his lack of university credentials.

Did Corden ever consider going back to get his degree?

Corden has not shown much interest in returning to university as a mature student to finish his BA. Given his successful career, he likely sees no need to complete a degree at this point when he already has an honorary degree from Exeter.

Does James Corden have a Master’s degree?

No, James Corden does not have a Master’s degree. His only university attendance was for one year at Exeter from 1996-1997 where he studied drama and English Literature but did not finish the undergraduate program.

What qualifications did James Corden get in college?

Since Corden left Exeter after only one year, he did not obtain any university qualifications or certifications. The main experience he got were his first year drama modules, but no degree or diploma.

Did Corden go to university before acting?

Yes, James Corden briefly attended the University of Exeter for one year in 1996-1997 before leaving to pursue acting full-time. So he had a small amount of university education prior to kickstarting his professional acting career in his late teens.

Has James Corden received any honorary degrees?

In 2010, the University of Exeter awarded Corden an honorary degree to recognize his acting achievements and positive representation of the university. However, this honorary degree is not an academic credential.