Analytic Quality Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Citation reference: Harvey, L., 2004-6, Analytic Quality Glossary, Quality Research International, http://www.qualityresearchinternational.com/glossary/

This is a dynamic glossary and the author would welcome any e-mail suggestions for amendments or additions.

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Fachhochschule

core definition

Fachhochschule is a non-university higher education institution, in Germany, Austria (and previously in Liechtenstein), focusing on vocational education.

explanatory context

As of February 2005, Fachhochschule Liechtenstein changed to Hochschule Liechtenstein.

analytical review

Fachhochschule Liechtenstein (2004) states that:

A “Fachhochschule” is a University of Applied Sciences and enjoys equal status with other universities and institutions of higher education. The focus of teaching at a “Fachhochschule” is to promote the practical application of knowledge and prepare students for their subsequent careers. In general the basic admission requirement is a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification.

Fachhochschule Mannheim , 2004, states:

The Fachhochschule (FH) offers science-based yet application-oriented education; it is active in industrial research, development and technology transfer, and is strongly involved in the field of continuing education. University of Applied Sciences is a good approximation to express its role. In the Land (state) of Baden-Württemberg, Fachhochschulen have the name "Hochschule für..." (Higher Education Institution for...) and the focus of their subjects included in their name. For example, the Fachhochschule Mannheim is called the "Hochschule für Technik und Gestaltung" ("University for Engineering Education and Design").

DAAD (2004) in answer the question ‘What is a "Fachhochschule"?’, states:

Whilst foreign students will have no problems imagining what a university or technical college is, Fachhochschulen are a German speciality, with only a very short tradition to look back on. … 35 per cent of all higher education graduates now come from a Fachhochschule. In some areas, such as engineering, more than half of the graduates came from a Fachhochschule…. What primarily attracts students to the Fachhochschule is the shorter route to a later profession that they offer. For studies at Fachhochschulen — and this is a special feature — are highly practice-orientated. Tight organisation of the degree courses, teaching in small groups, examinations throughout the studies which count towards the final degree, and a choice of subjects which is orientated towards the necessities of professional practice, permit shorter average studies than are generally achieved at universities. The non-lecture periods (semester vacations) are normally shorter than at university. This does not mean a lack of academic or scientific orientation, for the Fachhochschulen not only teach but also research. This research, however, is also primarily directed towards practical requirements, is largely applications-based. The result of this is that "exotic'' or purely theoretical degree courses are not to be found at Fachhochschulen. The range of subjects offered is directed in particular towards the needs of professionals with a practical and academic education, in engineering, in business administration, in design and in the social services. Degree courses at Fachhochschulen end with a special Diplom degree.

According to UWM (2004):

Fachhochschulen: Programs are usually six semesters of academic studies and one to two semesters of practical on-the-job training. Most programs are in engineering. Classes are more closely examined and graded than at the universities. Because there is less emphasis on research and theory, the diplom-FH usually yields placement in German universities at the level of vordiplom (intermediate examination). Hence diplom-FH holders may obtain a second, university diplom in the relevant field. Usual admission requirement is the fachhochschulreife (12 year school leaving certificate) or the hochschulreife (13 year school leaving certificate).

associated issues

The History of the Fachhochschulen in Germany

DAAD (2004) also outlines the history of the Fachhochschulen. The establishment of the Fachhochschulen in Germany followed educational policy debates in the 1960s, which focused on the need to help German industry maintain its competitiveness in the international field. This led to an increasing demand for better-qualified personnel with the capacity to solve practical tasks quickly and successfully on the basis of an academic training. A Decree issued by the Ministers of Education and Culture of the Federal Länder in 1969 and the Federal Framework Law for Higher Education, passed in 1976, then raised the status of the Fachhochschulen to an equal standing with the universities and university-status institutions. Within the context of the laws passed by the Länder, the Fachhochschulen are also autonomous, meaning that freedom of teaching and research and academic self- administration are guaranteed rights. Since then, an express educational policy objective of the Federal and Länder authorities has been a differentiation of higher education through the further establishment and expansion of Fachhochschulen. With German unification this assignment has gained a new dimension. In the five new Federal Länder it was possible to build up on the colleges of engineering which existed on the territory of the former GDR and which were, from an academic point of view, related to the Fachhochschulen in the Western German Länder. Furthermore existing institutions such as engineering and other colleges were converted into new Fachhochschulen, so developing in a similar way to the Fachhochschulen in Western Germany. There are 153 Fachhochschulen (as for 2001) to choose from. In addition, some 30 administration-own Fachhochschulen are directly maintained by the Federal and Länder authorities to cover their own needs and consequently are only open to German civil servants. In addition to these, there are around another 30 state- recognised Fachhochschulen under private, mainly church, maintenance; not to forget the Fachhochschul-type degree courses offered at the five German comprehensive universities (Gesamthochschulen). Comprehensive universities are higher education institutions which have been formed by integrating university, teacher training college, Fachhochschule, and, to a certain extent, college of art. Thus, they offer students a still greater choice of degree courses and degrees, even during the course of studies.

related terms

See also

technikon

polytechnic

hogescholen

sources

Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst [German Academic Exchange Service] (DAAD), 2004, Study and Research in Germany, http://www.daad.de/deutschland/en/2.1.1.1.html

Fachhochschule Liechtenstein, 2004, General information, What is a "Fachhochschule"? http://engl.fhl.li/about_us/fachhochschule.asp, undated accessed October 2004.

Fachhochschule Mannheim , 2004, Studies without Frontiers ‘What is a Fachhochschule?’ http://www.fh-mannheim.de/FHweb_englisch/what.html

Fachhochschulrat web site, undated, http://www.fhr.ac.at/index_en.htm

University of Wisconsin-Madison (UWM), 2004, Wisconsin Directory of International Institutions, Hogescholen, Netherlands http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/admin/iadmiss/000015440.html

Thanks to Michael Blaim for reminding me that Austria too has fachhochschulen