Generally, a distinction is to be made between
universities and Fachhochschulen
and other post-secondary study courses.
Colleges and other training institutions for health occupations
Universities
Universities are public educational institutions which, in their academic
research and research -based teaching, are directed towards the advancement of
knowledge and new approaches to the arts.
Fachhochschulen
In order to safeguard the quality of tertiary education in the Fachhochschule sector,
Fachhochschule programmes, which are provided by various (mostly private)
organisations, have to be formally accredited. (This is not the case in the
public university sector.) The Fachhochschule Council may award providers once
they offer a certain number of study programmes upon application the
designation "Fachhochschule", which may entail different powers such
as the right to confer academic degrees.
Private universities
There are also private universities (authorised by the Accreditation Council)
which offer tertiary study programmes.