Binary Divide

The Binary Divide refers to UK higher education and the differentiation between polytechnic institutions (including central institutions) and universities within the United Kingdom between 1965 and 1992. Many Polytechnics had roots in the mid 19th century. The original focus of the polytechnic institutions was STEM subjects especially degrees in engineering, applied science, and life sciences but soon after they formed they developed faculties in humanities, law, architecture, journalism and other professional practice occupations.

This ended with the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. Polytechnics became "new universities" and broadened their educational scope to include many non STEM subjects including media studies, complimentary medicine, fashion, sports medicine, and other humanities type degrees.

The University of Ulster was formed in 1984 from a merger between the New University of Ulster and the Ulster Polytechnic - the only such "trans binary merger" that crossed the divide.

Further reading

  • Pratt, J. The Polytechnic Experiment 1965-1992, Society for Research into Higher Education/Open University Press, ISBN 0-335-19564-4

See also

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