Polytechnic
The term polytechnic, from the Greek words "poly" meaning "many" and "technic" meaning "arts", is commonly used in many countries to discribe an institution that delivers technical education, other countries do not used the term and use alternative terminology. Polytechnics, in name, have existed since at least the 18th century but became increasingly popular since the post-WWII expansion in technical education.
Polytechnics were tertiary education teaching institutions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland until the Further and Higher Education Act, 1992 allowed then to become universities. Academic degrees in polytechnics were validated by the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA) from 1965 to 1992. After this time, the new universities awarded their own degrees. Sub-degree course were (and in many cases continue) to be validated by the Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC) at many of these institutions.
Many polytechnics were formed in the expansion of higher education in the 1960s, others can trace their history back much further than this. One of the most famous polytechnics was the London Polytechnic, which was originally founded in the 19th century.
Historically, British polytechnics were seen as ranking below universities in the provision of higher education, due to their lack of degree-awarding powers and the fact that they concentrated on vocational rather than academic courses. Even since 1992 differences still remain between the former polytechnics (and other post-1992 universities) and the older universities in terms of pay, conditions for staff, public perception and research budgets.
See also: British universitiesUnited Kingdom
| Australia | Technical and Further Education |
| India | Indian Institutes of Technology |
| Ireland | Regional Technical College |