The  law on higher education establishes  the following forms of higher education institutions: 

• University College [Kolegji universitar]: This institution acts in the area of education, research and creative and professional activities. It represents a structure made by main units, basic units and other units based on provisions made in respective statute. It offers programmes in first and second cycles merely with a vocational charracter.
• Higher University College [Kolegji Universitar i Larte] it is merely organized in the same way as the University College. The mere distinctions is that such institution may be established as part of university and that its activity is regulated by Decision of Council of Ministers.
• University [Universiteti] is a higher education institution that operates in the area of education, scientific research, creative and professional activities. It is composed of  at least three main units and of other sub units .  Universities  conduct basic and applied scientific research activities in compliance with their study programmes, with the higher education law and with their statutes. A university offers study programmes in all higher education study cycles and programmes with a professional character for all cycles.
• Academia [Akademia] is a higher education institution that operates in profiled higher education, scientific research, creative and professional activities. It consists of at least one faculty. Based on its study area, an Academia can offer study programmes for all cycles and study programmes with a professional character.