Have you ever written enrollment and then wondered if enrolment is the correct spelling? Or perhaps you have seen both forms on school, university, and government websites and wondered why they look different.
The good news is simple: both enrolment and enrollment are correct. The difference is mainly based on the variety of English being used. Enrolment is the standard British English spelling, while enrollment is the standard American English spelling.
Both words have the same meaning. They refer to the act of officially joining a school, course, program, organization, or other group.
For example:
- British English: Enrolment for the course opens next Monday.
- American English: Enrollment for the course opens next Monday.
The difference can also appear in the related verb: British English uses enrol, while American English uses enroll.
So, which spelling should you choose? It depends on your audience. This guide explains the difference, history, regional usage, common mistakes, examples, and the best spelling to use in professional and online writing.
Enrolment or Enrollment
Enrolment and enrollment are both correct spellings.
- Enrolment is the standard British English spelling.
- Enrollment is the standard American English spelling.
- Both have the same meaning.
- The difference is mainly regional, not grammatical.
Enrolment vs Enrollment at a Glance
| Spelling | English variety | Example |
|---|---|---|
| enrolment | British English | Enrolment opens in September. |
| enrollment | American English | Enrollment opens in September. |
What does enrolment or enrollment mean?
Enrolment/enrollment means the act of officially joining or being added to a school, course, program, organization, or other register.
For example:
The university has opened enrolment for new students.
Or:
The university has opened enrollment for new students.
The meaning is exactly the same.
Is enrolment or enrollment correct?
Both are correct. Use the spelling that matches your chosen variety of English.
If you write in British English, use enrolment.
If you write in American English, use enrollment.
Enrolment vs Enrollment: What’s the Difference?
There is no difference in meaning between the two words.
The difference is spelling:
British English → enrolment
American English → enrollment
The same regional pattern occurs with the related verb:
British English → enrol
American English → enroll
The Origin of Enrolment and Enrollment
The history of these words goes back to the idea of putting a person’s name or information on an official record.
The verb enrol comes through French forms such as enroller, which were connected with recording something on a roll or register. A “roll” was historically a document or list, often made by joining or rolling sheets of material together.
English later developed enrol as a verb meaning to enter a person’s name on an official list or register.
The noun enrolment developed from this verb. Enrollment is the American spelling of the same noun.
The spelling difference is part of a larger pattern in English. British and American English developed different spelling preferences over time. American English often adopted or standardized spellings that differ from traditional British forms.
For enrol/enroll, the difference became established as:
- British English: enrol
- American English: enroll
The corresponding nouns became:
- British English: enrolment
- American English: enrollment
Modern dictionaries recognize both forms as standard. Cambridge Dictionary lists enrolment as the UK spelling and enrollment as the US spelling.
The important point is that neither spelling is a modern mistake. Both have a legitimate place in standard English.
British English vs American English Spelling
The easiest way to remember the difference is:
British English: enrolment
American English: enrollment
The difference is also visible in the base verb.
| Form | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | enrol | enroll |
| Noun | enrolment | enrollment |
| Past tense | enrolled | enrolled |
| Present participle | enrolling | enrolling |
| Meaning | Same | Same |
Why are enrolled and enrolling the same?
This is an important detail.
Although the base verbs are enrol and enroll, both varieties use:
enrolled
and:
enrolling
So you may see:
She enrolled in the course.
in both British and American English.
You may also see:
Students are enrolling now.
in both varieties.
The regional difference is most obvious in the base verb and noun:
enrol → enrolment
versus:
enroll → enrollment
Regional Spelling Comparison
| Country or English variety | Common form |
|---|---|
| United States | enrollment |
| United Kingdom | enrolment |
| Australia | enrolment |
| New Zealand | enrolment |
| Canada | enrolment and enrollment both occur |
| International English | Depends on the target audience |
Australia and New Zealand generally follow British-style spelling in this word and commonly use enrolment.
Canadian English can use both forms. In Canadian writing, the best choice may depend on the institution, publication, or style guide.
Fulfil or Fulfill: Are Both Spellings Correct?
Which Spelling Should You Use?
The right spelling depends on who will read your writing.
Use “enrolment” for British English
Choose enrolment if your readers use British English.
It is the natural choice for many contexts in the UK, including:
- schools
- universities
- government information
- educational organizations
- formal notices
- British publications
Example:
Student enrolment has increased this year.
Use “enrollment” for American English
Choose enrollment when writing for a US audience.
It is common in:
- American schools
- colleges
- universities
- government documents
- business writing
- American news
Example:
College enrollment has increased this year.
What should Australians and New Zealanders use?
For Australian and New Zealand audiences, enrolment is generally the appropriate form.
For example:
Student enrolment opens in January.
This follows the British-style spelling used in these varieties of English.
What should Canadians use?
Canadian English is more mixed than British or American English.
Both enrolment and enrollment can be found in Canadian usage. If you are writing for a Canadian university, government department, company, or publication, check its established spelling or style guide.
If no specific style is required, choose one form and use it consistently.
What about a global website?
A global website can use either form.
The best approach is to decide which audience your page primarily serves.
For example:
US-focused website:
Enrollment is now open.
UK-focused website:
Enrolment is now open.
If your website serves both audiences, mention both forms naturally when explaining the difference, but avoid switching randomly throughout the article.
Enrolment and Enrollment: Noun vs Verb
One common source of confusion is that enrolment/enrollment is a noun, while enrol/enroll is a verb.
| Word | Part of speech | Example |
|---|---|---|
| enrol | Verb | Students can enrol online. |
| enrolment | Noun | Enrolment opens Monday. |
| enroll | Verb | Students can enroll online. |
| enrollment | Noun | Enrollment opens Monday. |
Compare the sentences
British English:
I want to enrol in the course.
My enrolment is complete.
American English:
I want to enroll in the course.
My enrollment is complete.
This distinction matters because you cannot use the noun and verb in exactly the same grammatical position.
Common Mistakes with Enrolment and Enrollment
Most mistakes happen because writers confuse regional spelling or confuse the noun with the verb.
Mistake 1: Thinking one spelling is wrong
Incorrect assumption:
“Enrollment is wrong because British English uses enrolment.”
That is false.
Enrollment is correct American English.
Likewise, enrolment is correct British English.
Mistake 2: Mixing the two forms
Avoid unnecessary switching:
Student enrolment is open, but the enrollment form must be submitted online.
If the document is written in British English, it is better to write:
Student enrolment is open, but the enrolment form must be submitted online.
For American English:
Student enrollment is open, but the enrollment form must be submitted online.
Mistake 3: Confusing the noun and verb
Incorrect:
I need to enrolment in the course.
Correct British English:
I need to enrol in the course.
Correct American English:
I need to enroll in the course.
The noun is used differently:
My enrolment is complete.
My enrollment is complete.
Mistake 4: Misspelling the noun ending
Incorrect:
enrolmant
enrollmant
Correct:
enrolment
enrollment
The ending is -ment.
Mistake 5: Writing “enroling”
The correct spelling is:
enrolling
not:
enroling
This is true in both British and American English.
Mistake 6: Using “enrol” for an American audience
This is not necessarily grammatically wrong, but it may look inconsistent in American English.
For a US audience, use:
enroll
rather than:
enrol
For a British audience, use:
enrol
Towards or Toward? American or British English?
Enrolment or Enrollment in Everyday Examples
These words appear often in education, business, government, and online forms.
In an email
British English:
Please complete your enrolment before Friday.
American English:
Please complete your enrollment before Friday.
In a university notice
British English:
Enrolment for the autumn term is now open.
American English:
Enrollment for the fall term is now open.
Notice that autumn and fall also reflect regional vocabulary.
In a school announcement
British English:
New student enrolment begins next week.
American English:
New student enrollment begins next week.
In an online course
Online enrolment is available until Friday.
or:
Online enrollment is available until Friday.
In formal writing
British:
The report examines changes in university enrolment.
American:
The report examines changes in university enrollment.
In news writing
British:
University enrolment has fallen slightly this year.
American:
College enrollment has fallen slightly this year.
On social media
A British school might post:
Enrolment is now open. Apply today!
An American college might post:
Enrollment is now open. Apply today!
Common Phrases: Enrolment vs Enrollment
Both forms appear in many of the same phrases.
| British English | American English |
|---|---|
| student enrolment | student enrollment |
| school enrolment | school enrollment |
| university enrolment | university enrollment |
| course enrolment | course enrollment |
| online enrolment | online enrollment |
| enrolment form | enrollment form |
| enrolment process | enrollment process |
| enrolment period | enrollment period |
| enrolment deadline | enrollment deadline |
| enrolment numbers | enrollment numbers |
| open enrolment | open enrollment |
| enrolment date | enrollment date |
The choice changes with the English variety, but the meaning stays the same.
Enrolment Form or Enrollment Form?
Both phrases are correct.
Use enrolment form in British English:
Please complete the enrolment form.
Use enrollment form in American English:
Please complete the enrollment form.
The same rule applies to related phrases such as:
- enrolment process / enrollment process
- enrolment deadline / enrollment deadline
- enrolment date / enrollment date
- online enrolment / online enrollment
Enrolment or Enrollment – Trends & Usage Data
Google Trends can help show how interest in different spellings changes by country, but it is important to understand what the data means.
Google Trends measures relative search interest, not the exact number of searches. A higher Trends score does not automatically mean that a word is used more often in everyday writing.
For a regional spelling such as enrolment/enrollment, location is especially important.
United States
US English normally uses:
enrollment
So an American user searching for information about colleges, schools, or programs is more likely to encounter enrollment.
United Kingdom
British English normally uses:
enrolment
UK educational and institutional content commonly follows this spelling.
Australia and New Zealand
These varieties generally favor:
enrolment
because they commonly follow British-style spelling conventions.
Canada
Canadian English can show both:
enrolment
and:
enrollment
The spelling can vary by institution, publication, or style guide.
Why search trends can differ
Search behavior reflects several things at once:
- local spelling habits
- education terminology
- population size
- search intent
- country
- time period
- regional websites
Therefore, it is better to use Google Trends as a regional interest tool, not as proof that one spelling is universally more correct.
Match the spelling to the audience you want to reach.
A US-focused education website should naturally favor enrollment.
A UK-focused education website should naturally favor enrolment.
A page explaining both forms can use both terms naturally because the search intent itself is comparative.
Enrolment or Enrollment – Which Is Correct?
Both are correct.
The choice depends on the English variety.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| British spelling | enrolment |
| American spelling | enrollment |
| Same meaning? | Yes |
| British verb | enrol |
| American verb | enroll |
| Past tense | enrolled |
| Present participle | enrolling |
| Australia | enrolment is generally used |
| New Zealand | enrolment is generally used |
| Canada | Both forms occur |
| Should you mix them? | No, not without a reason |
FAQs About Enrolment or Enrollment
Is enrolment or enrollment correct?
Both are correct. Enrolment is the standard British spelling, while enrollment is the standard American spelling.
Is enrolment British or American?
Enrolment is the British English spelling. American English generally uses enrollment.
Is enrollment American spelling?
Yes. Enrollment is the standard American English spelling of enrolment.
What is the difference between enrolment and enrollment?
There is no difference in meaning. The difference is regional spelling. British English uses enrolment, while American English uses enrollment.
Is it enrol or enroll?
Both are correct. Enrol is the British English form, while enroll is the American English form.
Is enrolling spelled with one or two Ls?
The standard spelling is enrolling, with two ls. This spelling is used in both British and American English.
Which is correct: enrolment form or enrollment form?
Both are correct. Use enrolment form in British English and enrollment form in American English.
Do Australians use enrolment or enrollment?
Australian English generally uses enrolment, following British-style spelling conventions.
Do Canadians use enrolment or enrollment?
Canadian English uses both forms. Enrolment is common, but enrollment also occurs. For formal Canadian writing, follow the relevant organization’s style guide.
Which spelling should I use for a US website?
Use enrollment if your website is written for an American audience.
Which spelling should I use for a UK website?
Use enrolment for a British-English website.
Does enrolment mean the same as registration?
They can be very close in meaning, especially in education. Enrolment usually focuses on officially joining or being entered into a course, school, program, or register. Registration can have a broader range of meanings depending on the context.
Is enrolment a noun?
Yes. Enrolment is a noun.
For example:
Enrolment begins next week.
The American noun is enrollment.
Is enroll a verb?
Yes. Enroll is the American English verb. The British English form is enrol.
For example:
Students can enroll online.
British English:
Students can enrol online.
Enrolment vs Enrollment: Final Rule
Remember this simple rule:
ENROLMENT = British English
ENROLLMENT = American English
The words have the same meaning.
If you need the verb:
ENROL = British English
ENROLL = American English
And both varieties use:
ENROLLED
ENROLLING
The best choice is not about which spelling is “more correct.” It is about using the spelling that fits your audience and keeping your writing consistent.
Conclusion: Enrolment or Enrollment?
So, enrolment or enrollment—which is correct? The answer is that both are correct. The difference is mainly regional. Enrolment is the standard British English spelling, while enrollment is the standard American English spelling.
The same difference appears in the related verb. British English uses enrol, while American English uses enroll. However, the forms enrolled and enrolling are spelled the same in both varieties.
For UK, Australian, and New Zealand readers, enrolment is generally the best choice. For US readers, use enrollment. Canadian English can use both, so a Canadian organization’s style guide is the best guide when one is available.
For websites and professional writing, consistency matters most. Choose the form that suits your readers and use it throughout the page. If your article is specifically comparing the two spellings, mentioning both naturally is completely appropriate.
In short, you do not need to worry about choosing the “wrong” word. Enrolment and enrollment mean the same thing; your audience determines which spelling is best.
Amelia Script is a dedicated grammar specialist and language mentor, simplifying English rules, refining writing skills, and helping learners communicate with clarity and confidence.