This book represents the first-of-its-kind comprehensive discussion of the non-university higher education sector in Europe. Higher education throughout the world is facing rapid change. Despite the enormous attention devoted to that reality, this volume fills an important void. It describes and offers critical comparisons between the systems in 10 European countries. The book brings together the thinking of leading scholars on the non-university sectors in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom, with a chapter devoted to each country. National case studies are presented for the non-university sector in these countries that address issues such as historical developments, policy changes, governance structures, levels of institutional autonomy and future trends. The editors offer a critical comparative analysis of the systems in these countries followed by a probing look into the future of the non-university sector in Europe. The book is essential reading for those who want a comprehensive, timely and in-depth understanding of the European non-university sector. It will be informative to anyone involved in system or institutional governance, as well as those pursuing research. It should be a reference in every institutional library.

Zusammenfassung
Today, a substantial portion of higher education is provided outside of the traditional universities in non-university institutions with a multitude of varied characteristics. In recent decades, higher education systems have been subjected to many changes and reforms throughout the world. One of the most important was undoubtedly the expansion of higher education in the second half of the last century from an elite system to one for the masses. While institutions of higher learning have been in existence for approximately 1,000 years, this exponential growth has been much more recent. This movement toward mass higher education has created substantial national impacts on the development of the systems of higher education. While common denominators of change and adaptation can be identified globally, there remain important differences from country to country. There are many factors challenging higher education today and in the foreseeable future. In one form or another, these issues and trends can be seen in higher education systems throughout the world. They include chronic underfunding, marketisation and competition, alternative providers, massification, internationalisation, governance, leadership, strategic management, accountability, accreditation, and social relevance. Another key factor for many countries, especially in Europe, and the focus of this book, is the current and future status of the higher education systems that differentiate the university and non-university sectors.

Inhalt
The End of Alternatives to Universities or New Opportunities?.- The Role of the Non-University Sector in Austrian Higher Education.- Questioning the Binary Divide: Non-University Higher Education in Flanders (Belgium).- Polytechnics in Finnish Higher Education.- German Fachhochschulen: Towards the End of a Success Story?.- The Non-University Sector in Irish Higher Education.- Shifting Boundaries in Higher Education: Dutch Hogescholen on the Move.- The Non-University Higher Education Sector in Norway.- The Polytechnic Higher Education Sector in Portugal.- The Non-University Sector in the Spanish System of Higher Education.- Higher Education Outside the Universities: The UK Case.- Reframing the Non-University Sector in Europe: Convergence or Diversity?.