Technikum

Technikum is a term used in several European languages to denote a technical secondary school or technical institute. It derives from the word Technik and historically referred to institutions that combined general education with applied technical training, preparing students for technical trades or further study in engineering and related fields.

Programs described as technikum typically blend core academic subjects with hands-on courses in areas such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, informatics, chemistry, or manufacturing. The duration of study varies by country, commonly spanning two to five years, and completion may lead to a diploma suitable for entering technical professions, pursuing further technician study, or, in some systems, obtaining a general upper secondary leaving certificate with a technical specialization.

In German-speaking regions, technikum can be used as a generic label for technical secondary schools or appear in the names of specific institutions. In Central and Eastern Europe, the term has historical usage within the pre-university technical education system; many such schools were reformed or renamed during educational reforms in the late 20th century. Despite these changes, the designation persists in the names of some institutions and remains a recognizable banner for technical-vocational education.

Notable examples include institutions such as Technikum Wien in Austria, which continues to carry the technikum designation in its name, while other countries have historical or regional variants of the concept that have evolved into different types of vocational or technical schools.