Technische Hochschule
Encyclopedia
Technische Hochschule
(acronym TH) is what an Institute of Technology
(i.e. a university focusing on engineering sciences) used to be called in German
-speaking countries, as well as in the Netherlands
, before most of them changed their name to Technische Universität (German) or Technische Universiteit (Dutch) (acronym: TU) in the 1970s (in Germany) and in the 1980s (in the Netherlands).
This has to do with the fact, that in the Middle Ages
, an educational institution was called a (medieval) university
only if a certain classical canon of subjects was taught (including philosophy
, medicine
, law
and theology
).
In modern times, other subjects, namely engineering
sciences became more important — but still, institutions of tertiary education
focusing on these and not offering the classical canon were denied the prestigious denomination "university", so they had to use the general word Hochschule (higher school, i.e. school for tertiary education
).
A major break-through was hence, when, in the first half of the 20th century, some Technische Hochschulen in Germany
and Technische Hoghescholen in the Netherlands
were given the right to award the doctor
degree, and later, they were allowed to call themselves universities — in accordance with the usual distinction that defines a university as an institution of tertiary education
that can grant doctorates.
Some THs, however, preferred to maintain their traditional and established names, most notably the RWTH Aachen
and the two THs in Switzerland
(ETH Zurich
and EPF Lausanne
). Universities that changed their names from TH to TU include TU Delft and TU Eindhoven in the Netherlands
.
Hochschule
Hochschule is a German term with two meanings.The literal meaning of the word Hochschule is “high school” which is not appropriate as a translation.- Generic term :...
(acronym TH) is what an Institute of Technology
Institute of technology
Institute of technology is a designation employed in a wide range of learning institutions awarding different types of degrees and operating often at variable levels of the educational system...
(i.e. a university focusing on engineering sciences) used to be called in German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
-speaking countries, as well as in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, before most of them changed their name to Technische Universität (German) or Technische Universiteit (Dutch) (acronym: TU) in the 1970s (in Germany) and in the 1980s (in the Netherlands).
This has to do with the fact, that in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, an educational institution was called a (medieval) university
Medieval university
Medieval university is an institution of higher learning which was established during High Middle Ages period and is a corporation.The first institutions generally considered to be universities were established in Italy, France, and England in the late 11th and the 12th centuries for the study of...
only if a certain classical canon of subjects was taught (including philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
and theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
).
In modern times, other subjects, namely engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
sciences became more important — but still, institutions of tertiary education
Tertiary education
Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage, third level, and post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as a high school, secondary school, university-preparatory school...
focusing on these and not offering the classical canon were denied the prestigious denomination "university", so they had to use the general word Hochschule (higher school, i.e. school for tertiary education
Tertiary education
Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage, third level, and post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as a high school, secondary school, university-preparatory school...
).
A major break-through was hence, when, in the first half of the 20th century, some Technische Hochschulen in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Technische Hoghescholen in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
were given the right to award the doctor
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
degree, and later, they were allowed to call themselves universities — in accordance with the usual distinction that defines a university as an institution of tertiary education
Tertiary education
Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage, third level, and post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as a high school, secondary school, university-preparatory school...
that can grant doctorates.
Some THs, however, preferred to maintain their traditional and established names, most notably the RWTH Aachen
RWTH Aachen
RWTH Aachen University is a research university located in Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany with roughly 33,000 students enrolled in 101 study programs....
and the two THs in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
(ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich or ETH Zürich is an engineering, science, technology, mathematics and management university in the City of Zurich, Switzerland....
and EPF Lausanne
École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
The École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne is one of the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology and is located in Lausanne, Switzerland.The school was founded by the Swiss Federal Government with the stated mission to:...
). Universities that changed their names from TH to TU include TU Delft and TU Eindhoven in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.