This book represents the first-of-its-kind comprehensive discussion of the non-university higher education sector in Europe. It describes and offers critical comparisons between the systems in ten European countries followed by a probing look into the future.

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.

Only book of its type addressing the non-university sector in 10 European countries Timely international comparative approach from noted European scholars Influence of New Public Management on the European non-university sector Challenges faced vis-à-vis the Bologna Process Steering, governance and management of European non-university higher education

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?.