Affiliated school

An affiliated school or affiliated college is an educational institution that operates independently, but also has a formal collaborative agreement with another, usually larger institution that may have some level of control or influence over its academic policies, standards or programs.

While a university may have one or several affiliated colleges, it is not necessarily a collegiate university, which is a union or federation of semi-autonomous colleges.

Examples of affiliated schools by area

United States

In the United States, Barnard College has an official affiliation with Columbia University. Barnard is legally and financially separate from Columbia but its students have access to the instruction and facilities of Columbia. Radcliffe College, another college of the Seven Sisters, was similarly affiliated with Harvard University until it was completely merged into Harvard in 1999.

Canada

In Canada several universities have federated or affiliated colleges, some of which predate the parent institution.

University of Alberta

St. Joseph's College is the Roman Catholic liberal arts college affiliated with the University of Alberta. The college provides offers courses open to students of both institutions, an on-campus chapel for the celebration of mass during the week, and a coeducational residence.

Laurentian University

Laurentian University has four federated institutions, three of which are located on the main campus in Sudbury, which offer a variety of degrees in association with the university:

• Université de Hearst, the only exclusively French language university-level institution in Ontario and the only federated institution not located on the main Sudbury campus.
• Thorneloe University, affiliated with the Anglican Church of Canada and offering courses in fine arts, theatre, classics, women's studies, religious studies and theology.
• University of Sudbury, a Catholic, bilingual institution offering courses in religious studies, philosophy, indigenous studies and folklore.
• Huntington University, focused on arts and humanities studies, affiliated with the United Church and offering courses communication studies, ethics, gerontology, philosophy, religious studies and theology.

University of Regina

The University of Regina has three federated colleges, which offer various degrees in conjunction with the university:

• Luther College, an Evangelical Lutheran liberal arts college;
• Campion College, a Jesuit Catholic liberal arts college;
• First Nations University of Canada, a college offering curriculum developed in partnership with First Nations communities and social support for First Nations students.

All three colleges are located on the University of Regina's main campus, and all students of the federated colleges are also registered as students of the university.

University of Saskatchewan

St. Thomas More College is the Roman Catholic liberal arts college federated with the University of Saskatchewan, and is located on the university's campus in Saskatoon. The administration and financial details of the college are autonomous, but the academics are closely interrelated with the university.

University of Toronto

Further information: University of Toronto § Governance and colleges

The University of Toronto is a collegiate university consisting of a federation of 12 colleges, with various degrees of independence and autonomy, organized under a central Governing Council.

University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo has four affiliated institutions, collectively referred to as the "university colleges" or "church colleges": Conrad Grebel University College, a college owned by the Mennonite Church Eastern Canada that offers programs in peace and conflict studies, music, and Mennonite studies; Renison University College, a public college affiliated with the Anglican Church of Canada that offers programs in social development studies, social work, East Asian studies, and languages; St. Jerome's University, a public Roman Catholic liberal arts university established in 1865; and St. Paul's University College, a public college formerly affiliated with the United Church of Canada that offers programs on social justice and environmental issues.

All students can take courses offered by the university and any of the colleges, degrees bear the university's name and seal, and admission to college residences is not restricted based on religious beliefs.

University of Windsor

The University of Windsor has three affiliated institutions: Assumption University, a Roman Catholic university offering graduate degree programs in religious subjects; Canterbury College, a public liberal arts college affiliated with the Anglican Church of Canada; and Iona College, a public liberal arts college affiliated with the United Church of Canada.

University of Western Ontario

The University of Western Ontario has three affiliate colleges: Huron University College, a public liberal arts collegee stablished in 1863 and affiliated with the Anglican Church of Canada ; Brescia University College, a public Roman Catholic women's college established in 1919 by the Ursulines; and King's University College, a public Roman Catholic co-educational college established in 1954 that offers programs in liberal arts, business, social justice, and theology (through an affiliation with St. Peter's Seminary).

UWO previously had affiliation agreements with other institutions, including Alma College, Assumption University and Wilfrid Laurier University.

Other schools

For the most part, this model is restricted to colleges and universities. On rarer occasions, however, elementary schools or high schools may also enter into affiliating agreements.