Enkeltfakulteter

Enkeltfakulteter is a term used in higher education to describe an organizational model in which a university is divided into faculties that each cover a defined professional or academic field. In this model, faculties typically operate with substantial autonomy, maintaining their own budgets, governance structures, and degree programs, while the university coordinates overarching standards and resources.

Historically, enkeltfakulteter have been common in various Nordic and Central European universities. The approach emphasizes clear disciplinary identities and professional orientation within each faculty. However, it can also lead to administrative fragmentation and limited cross-disciplinary collaboration, since faculties function as relatively independent entities.

In practice, the term can refer to different configurations. Some institutions are composed of many semi-autonomous faculties, each dedicated to a specific field, while others may be described as single-faculty universities in which the entire institution centers around one broad disciplinary area or professional domain. The extent of autonomy and the degree of cooperation between faculties can vary widely depending on national traditions, funding models, and governance arrangements.

Contemporary higher education trends often favor more integrated or multi-faculty structures that encourage interdisciplinary work, shared services, and cross-cutting programs. Nonetheless, enkeltfakulteter remain a recognized organizational model in some contexts, valued for strong professional focus and clear disciplinary identity.

See also: Fakultat, Universitet, Flerfakultet.