For obvious economic and demographic reasons, the German-speaking Community has neither set up universities of applied sciences with longer study programmes nor universities. Usually, most pupils from the GC complete their studies at French-speaking colleges or universities, but recently there has been an increase in the number deciding to study across the border in Germany.

There were three small non-universities in the German-speaking Community until 2005: two pedagogical colleges and one for training nurses. As per the decree of 27 June 2005, these three colleges were merged into one autonomous university, the Autonome Hochschule. More detailed information about Belgian universities of applied sciences and universities can be found in the Eurypedia articles from the French Community (BE fr) and the Dutch Community (BE nl).

A law from 1933 protects the title of higher education. The law of 7 July 1970 on the general higher education structure has grouped and sorted all education that is included in secondary school academics: the methods of training are classified according to curriculum and objectives.

The Royal decree of 3 November 1987 on the general rules of university short courses with a full curriculum and the Royal decree of 6 November 1987 on the determination of the term "being registered as a regular student" and "student financing in full-time education at a college, except at a university" as well as both decrees of 21 February 2005 (a special decree) and of 27 June 2005 on the creation of an autonomous university of applied sciences in the German-speaking Community are considered the most important legal basis of the three departments of the new university of applied sciences in the GC. The latter contain provisions that implicitly highlight and replace certain provisions from the Royal decrees.

Short courses at the university of applied sciences follows a curriculum that aims at a basic knowledge, a specialised, technical education and vocational qualification in a specific area. Education is organised in a very clear way and is focused on training for a career. The main objective is the conveyance of scientific knowledge and its occupational applications: Pre-school teacher, primary school teacher, nurse and accountant.