Fachhochschule

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A Fachhochschule (plural: Fachhochschulen) or University of Applied Sciences is a university sometimes specialized in certain topical areas (e.g. technology or business) but is mostly without doctoral programs. Fachhochschulen were founded in Germany and later adopted by Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. An increasing number of Fachhochschulen are simply named Hochschule, which is also the generic term in Germany for all institutions awarding academic degrees in higher education. Due to the bologna process, Universitäten and Fachhochschulen award legally equivalent academic Bachelor's and Master's degrees.[1]

Universities of Applied Sciences are focused on the transferability of professional skills. The Swiss lawmaker calls Fachhochschulen and universities "separate but equal"[2]. Just like more academically oriented research universities, the UAS are able to issue both Bachelor and Master degrees. In Switzerland, they may run doctoral programs when the degree itself is awarded by a partner institution which is allowed to, as some German Fachhochschulen also co-run doctoral programs, with doctoral degrees being awarded by the partner research university.[3]

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[edit] Germany

The Fachhochschule (FH) or University of Applied Sciences and Arts is a type of German institution of higher education that emerged in the early 1970s and differs from a traditional university mainly through its vocational orientation. Subjects taught at a Fachhochschule include engineering, computer science, business & management, arts & design, communication studies, social service and other professional fields.

The Diplom (FH) is the traditional degree awarded at a Fachhochschule. Actual coursework generally totals eight semesters (four years) of full-time study with various options for specialization. In addition, there are one or two practical training terms to provide hands-on experience in a real working environment. The program concludes with the final examination and a thesis which usually is an extensive investigation of a current practical or scientific aspect of the profession.

In an effort to make educational degrees more compatible within Europe, the German Diplom (FH) degree will be phased out and replaced by the European bachelor and master degree by 2010. The Diplom (FH) is considered equivalent to a four years Bachelors degree in U.S. or UK.

The Fachhochschule represents a close relationship between higher education and the employment system. The students’ up-to-date knowledge of the field enhances their preparation for their profession. Their practical orientation makes them very attractive for employers.[4]

Today there are also some research institutes at Fachhochschulen. The research projects are usually sponsored by industry. The German universities of applied sciences enjoy a high importance for the German industry and they have several partnerships with the local industry. Nevertheless, in Germany the right to confer doctoral degrees is still reserved to research universities.[5]

[edit] Bologna process

Main article: Bologna process

Due to the Bologna process, most German universities, Fachchochschulen and Berufsakademien (Universities of Cooperative Education) have ceased admitting students to programs leading to the traditional German "Diplom", but apply now the new EU degree standard of Bachelor and Masters degrees. In line with the Bologna process, Bachelor's and Master's degrees awarded by universities, Fachhochschulen and accredited Berufsakademien are legally equivalent. However, the Diplom (FH) and Diplom (BA) are legally equivalent to a bachelor's degree, while the Diplom awarded by a university is at Master's level.[1] With a Master's from either it is now possible to enter a doctoral degree program at a research university, but a graduate with a Bachelor's degree from either is normally unable to proceed directly to a doctoral degree program in Germany (US schools only require a Bachelor degree for admission to doctoral programs, but require additional coursework for students lacking a Master).[1] Also, with the Master's degree of either of the institutions a graduate can enter the höheren Dienst (higher service) career for civil servants.[1][6]

[edit] Austria

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The Austrian government decided to establish Fachhochschulen in 1990. In the academic year of 2004/05, there were 18 institutions officially considered as Fachhochschulen plus a number of other providers of Fachhochschulstudiengängen with a total of 25,554 students. About a third of the 136 Fachhochschulstudiengänge are organized as part-time courses of studies.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany, 10/10/2003, version of 22/09/2005
  2. ^ Federal Law on Universities of Applied Sciences, Switzerland
  3. ^ [http://www.ma.uni-heidelberg.de/ag/grk886/index_e.html "Molecular imaging methods for the analysis of gene and protein expression"]. University of Heidelberg. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
  4. ^ © 2006 by Studienberatung USA in der Fachhochschule Hannover, an Education USA Student Advising Center for Lower Saxony, affiliated with the U.S. Department of State, Washington. Adapted from: G. B. Porter, Federal Republic of Germany: a Study of the Educational System of the FRG and a Guide to the Academic Placement of Students in Educational Institutions of the United States. (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, c1986)
  5. ^ Auszüge aus dem Hochschulrahmengesetz der BRD. German Rectors Conference. Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
  6. ^ Standing Conference of the Ministers of Internal Affairs of the Länder (IMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany, 07/12/2007.

[edit] See also