University

A university (from Latin universitas 'a whole') is an institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. The word university comes from the Latin phrase universitas magistrorum et scholarium, meaning "community of teachers and scholars". Universities usually offer programs for students at the beginning of their studies and also for those who wish to study more advanced topics later.

The first universities began in Europe, growing from schools that were supported by the Church to train priests. One of the very first universities was the University of Bologna in Italy, founded in 1088. This university was special because it was a place where high-level degrees were given, it used the word universitas, and it was somewhat separate from church schools. Students could study many subjects, both religious and non-religious, taught by both clergy and others.

History

The word "university" comes from the Latin word universitas, meaning "a whole." It originally referred to a group of teachers and scholars who worked together. Over time, it came to mean an institution where people can study many different subjects and earn degrees.

One important idea connected to universities is academic freedom. This means that scholars should be able to study and teach without interference. The University of Bologna, founded in the 12th century, was one of the first to support this idea.

Universities have a long history. Early centers of learning included places like the School of Alexandria and Nalanda mahavihara. In Europe, many universities began as cathedral or monastic schools. The first universities, such as the University of Bologna, the University of Paris, and the University of Oxford, appeared in the 12th and 13th centuries.

During the Early Modern period, universities grew and changed. They began to include new subjects and ideas, influenced by humanism. This period saw the creation of many new universities across Europe.

In the 19th century, universities changed again. They began to focus more on science and research. Models from Germany and France influenced how universities were organized. Religion played less of a role in teaching and learning.

Today, universities continue to evolve. They remain important places for learning, research, and developing new ideas.

Organization

Universities are organized in different ways, but most have a board of leaders, a main leader called a president, chancellor, or rector, and deans for different parts of the school. They are often split into several academic departments or schools.

Public university systems are overseen by government boards that handle money and approve new classes and programs. Even though they are controlled by the government, many public universities can make their own decisions about money, research, and teaching. Private universities are funded by private money and usually have more freedom from government rules, but they might still depend on businesses for funding.

Around the world

See also: List of universities and colleges by country

Universities work differently in various countries. In some places, the government provides most of the money needed to run universities. In other places, universities get money from donors or charge students fees to attend. Some countries have most students staying close to home to go to university, while others have universities that students from many countries around the world attend. These universities might even offer places for students to live on campus.

Classification

Further information: Category:Higher education by country

The idea of what a university is can differ a lot, even within the same country. Usually, a government group decides what counts as a university.

For example, in Australia, a group called the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency looks after universities. In the United States, there isn’t one rule for all states, but some states like Massachusetts only call a school a university if it gives out certain high-level degrees. In the United Kingdom, a group called the Privy Council decides which schools can use the name “university.”

In India, some special schools that aren’t technically universities are called “deemed universities” because they do very advanced work in one area. In Canada, colleges usually take two years and don’t give degrees, while universities take four years and give degrees.

In Germany, universities can give many types of degrees and must be approved by the government. There are also other schools called “universities of applied sciences” that give some degrees but focus more on practical learning.

Colloquial usage

Main article: College

People sometimes use the word "university" to talk about a part of their life, like saying, "When I was at university..." In some places like the United States and Ireland, they often use the word "college" instead. In many countries, including Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Spain, and German-speaking countries, people shorten "university" to "uni." In some other places like Ghana, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and South Africa, it’s sometimes called "varsity," though this isn’t as common now.

Cost

Main article: Tuition payments

In many places, students need to pay money called tuition fees to go to university. Some students try to get help called "student grants" to pay for this. In the United States, students often have to borrow money and pay it back later.

However, in some countries like those in Nordic countries, students do not pay tuition fees to go to public universities. This includes EU and EEA countries, as well as Switzerland. Germany also usually does not charge tuition fees, except for a small administrative fee. Private universities, though, almost always charge tuition fees.