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{{short description|Institution of higher education and sometimes research that grants professional academic degrees}}{{Not to be confused with|Vocational school|3=Technical school}}{{for|the type of institution in Finland|University of applied sciences (Finland)}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2020}}
[[File:Örebro University Primary Building.jpg|thumb|Örebro University, Sweden]]
A '''university of applied sciences''' ('''UAS'''), nowadays much less commonly called a '''polytechnic university''' or '''vocational university''',<ref>[https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=vocational+university%2Cuniversity+of+applied+sciences%2Cpolytechnic+university%2Ctechnological+educational+institute%2C+&year_start=1800&year_end=2019&corpus=26&smoothing=3&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cvocational%20university%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cuniversity%20of%20applied%20sciences%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cpolytechnic%20university%3B%2Cc0 Ngram Viewer]</ref> is an institution of [[higher education]] and sometimes research that provides [[vocational education]] and grants [[academic degree]]s. It should not be confused with [[Vocational school|vocational schools]] or [[Technical school|technical schools]] that do not meet the strict standards of higher education nor have the ability to grant officially accredited academic degrees.

In some countries, a vocational university more precisely grants [[professional degree]]s like professional bachelor's degree, professional master's degree and professional doctorates. The term is not officially used in many countries and an assignment to a certain type of university in a certain country's educational system is therefore difficult. The UK once had a very extensive vocational university sector with its polytechnic system dating back to the mid-19th century. Vocational universities are often regulated and funded differently (for example, by the local government rather than the state) from research-focused universities, and the degrees granted are not necessarily interchangeable.

==Education==
{{See also|Vocational school}}
The education at vocational universities combines teaching of both practical skills and theoretical expertise. It can be contrasted with education in a usually broader [[science|scientific]] field, which may concentrate on [[theory]] and abstract [[concept]]ual knowledge. There is also the historical background that an educational institution was called a [[medieval university|university]] in the [[Middle Ages]] only if a certain classical [[wiktionary:canon|canon]] of subjects was taught (typically including [[philosophy]], [[medicine]] and [[theology]]). In modern times, other subjects, namely [[natural science|natural]] and [[engineering]] sciences, became more important, but institutions of [[tertiary education]] focusing on these subjects and not offering the classical canon have been until recently or are still denied the prestigious denomination "university" in all countries. They had to use other, more general terms (which in many languages are [[false friend]]s of the English term "high school", sometimes with modifiers), including {{Lang|de|[[Fachhochschule]]}} in [[German language|German]], {{Lang|fr|Haute École}} in [[French language|French]] ([[Belgium]] and [[Switzerland]]), {{Lang|nl|Hogeschool}} in [[Dutch language|Dutch]], {{Lang|no|Høyskole}} in [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]], {{Lang|it|Scuola universitaria professionale}} in [[Italian language|Italian]], etc.

There are different varieties, including vocational universities of applied sciences (also named [[polytechnic (disambiguation)|polytechnic]]s or [[institutes of technology]]), vocational universities of liberal arts, etc. In recent years, many vocational universities have received full university status, such as the [[University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna]], [[Austria]] (Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, formerly Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien), or the [[Örebro University]], [[Sweden]] (formerly Örebro Högskola). There are also some establishments which now have full university status but continue to use their former names, such as the [[Royal Institute of Technology]] in [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]].

==In Europe==

===Austria ===
{{Main|Fachhochschule}}

===Finland===
{{Main|Ammattikorkeakoulu}}
[[File:Savonia AMK - Opistotie 2 - Hatsala - Kuopio.jpg|thumb|[[Savonia University of Applied Sciences]] in [[Kuopio]], [[North Savonia]], Finland]]
In Finland, vocational universities are called ''Ammattikorkeakoulu'' (Yrkeshögskola in Swedish, translated "university of applied sciences", literally "vocational high school"). They focus on vocational education and do not grant [[Licentiate (degree)|licentiate]] or [[doctorate]] degrees.

Certain universities are called ''korkeakoulu'' because they effectively have only one faculty, e.g. ''Teatterikorkeakoulu'', the Theatre Academy, whereas universities with several faculties are called ''yliopisto''. The term ''ammattikorkeakoulu'' (AMK) creates some confusion with ''korkeakoulu'', because traditionally AMK's were not considered universities. A graduate of university of applied sciences (''ammattikorkeakoulu'') is eligible for doctoral studies in Finnish universities (''yliopisto'').

===Germany===
{{Main|Fachhochschule}}
The term ''vocational university'' is not used. In contrast to traditional German universities, a ''[[Fachhochschule]]'' (translated "university of applied sciences") has a more practical profile. Universities of applied sciences grant academic [[bachelor's degree]]s and [[master's degree]]s. In some federal states, research-intensive universities of applied sciences have the permission to grant [[doctoral degrees]] (e.g. Hesse or Saxony Anhalt). Otherwise, doctoral programs must be carried out in cooperation with degree-awarding institutions such as universities. Furthermore, ''Berufsakademie'' is a college type strongly inspired by the [[dual education system]]. A ''Berufsakademie'' is called a ''university of cooperative education'' in English and only grants bachelor's degrees. This type of institution was first created in the [[States of Germany|German state]] of [[Baden-Württemberg]] and now exists in [[Hamburg]], [[Hesse]], [[Lower Saxony]], [[Saarland]], [[Saxony]], [[Schleswig-Holstein]], and [[Thuringia]], but not in the other German states. In 2009, Baden-Württemberg transformed its Berufsakademie into a new type of institution, which until now only exists in that state, a "Duale Hochschule". In English, this type of institution is also called ''university of cooperative education'', but a Duale Hochschule also offers master's degrees.

===Greece===
{{main|List of universities in Greece#Technological educational institutes / Universities of Applied Sciences}}
In Greece, comparable institutions to the vocational universities (or perhaps better to the universities of applied sciences) are the technological educational institutes (TEIs). These constitute part and parcel of the higher education in Greece and offer in their own capacity bachelor's and master's degrees, and soon doctorate degrees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.esos.gr/arthra/49939/didaktorika-apo-tei-i-epistoli-toy-yp-paideias-pros-toys-proedroys-ton-tei|title=Διδακτορικά από ΤΕΙ- Η επιστολή του υπ. Παιδείας προς τους προέδρους των ΤΕΙ|date=9 April 2017|website=esos.gr}}</ref>

On the other hand, the term ''[[college]]'' in Greece may refer, among others, to the institutions that are officially titled Centres of Post-lyceum (secondary) Education. These have a solely professional, i.e. non-academic, orientation according to existing Greek law, and are so far only private. However, they run in collaboration with foreign authorities, such as universities and accreditation organisations, that may recognise them academically. They may offer [[professional]] bachelor degrees of minimum three years, as well as master's and doctorate degrees.

===Italy===
{{Main|Istituto tecnico superiore}}
An Istituto tecnico superiore (abbreviated ITS – Higher Technical Institute) is an Italian tertiary educational institution. They were established in 2008, and are modelled on the Fachhochschule system of Germany. Programs have a duration of two or three years, and require a high school degree for access.

===Netherlands===
{{main|List of universities in the Netherlands}}
As of January 29, 2008, a Dutch ''hogeschool'' '''(HBO)''' may call itself a "university of applied sciences" in English.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nuffic.nl/nederlandse-organisaties/nieuws-evenementen/nieuws-archief/nieuws-archief-2008/februari/engelstalige-naam-voor-nederlandse-hogescholen |title=Nuffic - Nederlandse organisaties - Nieuws & Evenementen - Nieuwsarchief - 2008 - Februari - Engelstalige naam voor Nederlandse hogescholen |access-date=2011-09-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815002132/http://www.nuffic.nl/nederlandse-organisaties/nieuws-evenementen/nieuws-archief/nieuws-archief-2008/februari/engelstalige-naam-voor-nederlandse-hogescholen |archive-date=2011-08-15 }}</ref> Just like the German 'Fachhochschule', these HBO institutes firstly have a practical profile. They focus primarily on teaching the ''practicing'' of a profession at the highest professional level, at the state of the art. This as opposed to proper research universities (Dutch: "universiteiten"), that focus on both the highest level of professional practice, ''as well as'' practicing research with proper scientific methodology (how to solve problems/challenges on a scientific level of thinking), including scientific ethics, legal, and philosophy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://onderwerpen/hoger-onderwijs/vraag-en-antwoord/wat-zijn-de-bachelor-master-en-associate-degree-in-het-hoger-onderwijs|title=Wat zijn bachelor, master en associate degree in het hoger onderwijs? - Rijksoverheid.nl|last=Zaken|first=Ministerie van Algemene|date=2013-05-14|website=onderwerpen|language=nl-NL|access-date=2019-09-10}}</ref> This so-called binary system of professional and academic education co-exists with upper secondary vocational education, which provides vocational education at EQF levels 1-4 for equal, similar or different professions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=van Houten |first=Maarten Matheus |date=2018-01-02 |title=Vocational education and the binary higher education system in the Netherlands: higher education symbiosis or vocational education dichotomy? |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13636820.2017.1394359 |journal=Journal of Vocational Education & Training |language=en |volume=70 |issue=1 |pages=130–147 |doi=10.1080/13636820.2017.1394359 |issn=1363-6820}}</ref>

Universities of applied sciences offer [[Associate degree|associate's degrees]], [[bachelor's degrees]] and [[master's degrees]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stcrt-2013-35337.html|title=Regeling van de Minister van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap van 11 december 2013, nr. 528477, houdende een wijziging van de Regeling andere toevoeging aan wo-graden in verband met het vaststellen van de referentielijst internationale herkenbaarheid titulatuur hoger beroepsonderwijs en het vaststellen van graden met toevoegingen|author=Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap|website=zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl}}</ref> From 2022 onward there will be pilots on [[Doctorate|Professional Doctorates]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Zwan, van der|first=Frank|date=2021-10-25|title=Professional Doctorate - The Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences|url=https://www.vereniginghogescholen.nl/themas/professional-doctorate|url-status=live|website=Vereniging Hogescholen}}</ref>

''Hogescholen'' in the Netherlands have been provided with the right to conduct research by the revised Higher Education and Research Act (WHOO)2010.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.innovationinbusiness.research.hu.nl/Onderzoek.aspx |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406145037/http://www.innovationinbusiness.research.hu.nl/Onderzoek.aspx |archive-date=2013-04-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Sweden===
The main difference between universities (universitet) and vocational universities (högskola, official translation ''university college'') is that only the former ones have the right to award doctorate degrees in all subjects they offer. Some vocational universities have been given such rights within limited areas of research.

===Switzerland===
{{Main|Fachhochschule}}

===United Kingdom===
{{Main|Polytechnic (United Kingdom)}}

==In Asia==

=== Mainland China ===
China is home to the largest vocational education system in the world. In 2018, [[Mainland China]] had a total of about 11,700 vocational schools.<ref>{{cite web |title = Statistical report on China's vocational education in 2018 |publisher = [[Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China]] |url = http://en.moe.gov.cn/documents/reports/201906/t20190605_384566.html |access-date=2020-09-26 |website=en.moe.gov.cn }}</ref>

Examples:
* [[BN Vocational School]] ([[Beijing]])
* Fashion Institute ([[Ningbo]], Zhejiang)
* [[NingBo Vocational Education Central School]] ([[Ningbo]], [[Zhejiang]])
* [[Hunan Mass Media Vocational and Technical College]] ([[Changsha]], capital of [[Hunan]])
* Hunan Chemical Vocational Technology College ([[Zhuzhou]], Hunan)
* Hunan Railway Professional Technology College (Zhuzhou, Hunan)
* Guangsha College of Applied Construction Technology ([[Zhejiang]])
* Liming Vocational University ([[Quanzhou]], Fujian)
* Qingdao Vocational and Technical College ([[Qingdao]])
* Vocational Academy of Art (Zhejiang)
* Yuying College of Vocational Technology (Zhejiang)
* Zhejiang Vocational College of Economic & Trade (Zhejiang)
* [[Zibo Vocational Institute]] ([[Zibo]], [[Shandong]])
* [[Zhaoqing University]] ([[Zhaoqing]], Guangdong)
* Suqian Economic and Trade Vocational College ([[Shuyang]])

=== Hong Kong ===
[[File:IVE LeeWaiLee.jpg|thumb|Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education]]

* [[Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong]] (THEi)
* [[Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education]] (IVE)

=== Iran ===
==== University of Applied Science and Technology ====
{{Main|University of Applied Science and Technology}}
The '''University of Applied Science and Technology''' ('''UAST''') is a public university administrated by Ministry of Science, Research and Technology with various branches all over the Provinces of Iran. This university helps to increase skill level of employed personnel in various sectors of economic field and graduates of higher education and professional skills that are lacking in administrative. It is an educational system inspired and derived from 'Community College' in the United States. With more than 1500 education center in all corner of Iran. UAST confers degrees in over 100 programs at the associate, bachelor's and master's degree levels.

==== Technical and Vocational University ====
{{Main|Technical and Vocational University}}

The '''Technical and Vocational University''' ('''TVU''') is one of Institutes of Higher Education under control of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. The university has more than 176 schools and colleges across the country and more than 220 thousand students is one of the largest universities in Iran.

===Malaysia===
There are five public vocational universities in [[Malaysia]]:
* [[Universiti Malaysia Pahang]] (UMP)
* [[Universiti Malaysia Perlis]] (UniMAP)
* [[Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka]] (UTeM)
* [[Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia]] (UTHM)
* [[Universiti Malaysia Kelantan]] (UMK)

===Sri Lanka===
In 2009, the first [[University of Vocational Technology]] was established under the purview of the Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training. There are also nine College of Technology in Sri Lanka.<ref>[http://srilankatoday.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1912&Itemid=52 University of Vocational Technology]</ref>

===Taiwan===
In Taiwan, vocational university is called '''University of science and technology''' or '''University of technology'''.

* [[National Taiwan University of Science and Technology]] (Taiwan Tech)
* [[National Taipei University of Technology]] (Taipei Tech)
* [[National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology]]
* [[National Yunlin University of Science and Technology]] (Yen Tech)

==See also==
*[[Community college]]
*[[Further education]]
*[[Institute of technology]]
*[[Technical school]]
*[[Trade school]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060620211149/http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/cslp/ImportantLinks/17_il_International.pdf List of vocational universities] PDF
* [http://www.educa.ch/dyn/9.asp?url=69131%2Easp Higher Vocational Education in Switzerland]
* [http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-2/china.html Higher Vocational Education in China]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060217110059/http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/ccs/digests/dig0203.htm Higher Vocational Education in China]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060813235546/http://www.en.domavcr.cz/rady.shtml?x=159582 Higher Vocational Education in Czech Republic]
* [http://www.admhmao.ru/english/sociumE/sience/vish_ob.htm Higher Vocational Education in Russia]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060829081106/http://www.bbt.admin.ch/themen/berufsbildung/00106/00355/index.html?lang=en The Copenhagen Process]
*[http://www.edu.fi/english/SubPage.asp?path=500;4699/ Education system in Finland]

{{Schools}}

[[Category:Educational stages]]
[[Category:Higher education]]
[[Category:Types of university or college]]
[[Category:Vocational universities and colleges|*]]
[[Category:Tertiary education]]

Vocational university - Revision history

Red apple learning: cleanup

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article