What is a University?

Important Facts about Universities

Learning at a University

A university enables students and professors to learn from each other. Students gain knowledge and skills through experiences in and out of the classroom, from attending lectures and readings to completing internships and clinical rotations. In addition to courses, universities offer campus-wide educational events, such as seminars and guest speakers, to enrich students' learning.

Research at a University

Universities encourage students to question ideas and assumptions and then conduct research to find an alternative answer or solution. Many graduate programs at universities have heavy research components, and opportunities to contribute to or conduct research are common for undergraduates as well.

Characteristics of Universities vs. Colleges

Although the terms 'university' and 'college' are sometimes used interchangeably in casual speech, these two institution types are actually quite different. For instance, universities usually have a college of liberal arts, a college of science and professional schools, such as medicine, law and engineering. Colleges, on the other hand, typically focus on one area, like liberal arts.

Universities also differ from colleges in the degrees they award. Universities can grant undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees, whereas most colleges focus on undergraduate study. Additionally, universities are larger and enroll more students.