University and university college: What’s the difference?
Two slightly different terms are still used in Sweden to describe institutions of higher education: universitet (university) and högskola (university college). The formal difference is that the former enjoys the unrestricted right to award Licentiate and PhD degrees while the latter does not. Most university colleges do not award PhDs.
However, the government can decide, on application by a university college, whether it should be permitted to confer doctoral or licentiate degrees. Some university colleges have been granted the right to do so in specific fields of study.
As for the right to award lower level degrees there is normally no difference between a university or university college. A degree conferred by a university college is equivalent to a degree awarded by a university.
Although there is a formal distinction between a Swedish university and university college, the name of the higher education institution may not always indicate whether it is a university (universitet) or a university college (högskola). Some university colleges call themselves “universities”, and conversely, some universities are called “högskola” in Swedish, even though they have university status.
What does differ from institution to institution, however, is the ‘product’, i.e. what is on offer in terms of programs, departments and faculties. The specialization of each institution has often developed as a result of close, long-standing collaboration with local industries and the business community, and this can provide unique experiences not matched by other places.
However, the government can decide, on application by a university college, whether it should be permitted to confer doctoral or licentiate degrees. Some university colleges have been granted the right to do so in specific fields of study.
As for the right to award lower level degrees there is normally no difference between a university or university college. A degree conferred by a university college is equivalent to a degree awarded by a university.
Although there is a formal distinction between a Swedish university and university college, the name of the higher education institution may not always indicate whether it is a university (universitet) or a university college (högskola). Some university colleges call themselves “universities”, and conversely, some universities are called “högskola” in Swedish, even though they have university status.
What does differ from institution to institution, however, is the ‘product’, i.e. what is on offer in terms of programs, departments and faculties. The specialization of each institution has often developed as a result of close, long-standing collaboration with local industries and the business community, and this can provide unique experiences not matched by other places.
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