Institute vs. Academy — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 25, 2023
An institute is typically an organization or establishment dedicated to a specific purpose, often educational. An academy is a place of study or training in a specialized field, often linked to arts, sciences, or a professional subject.
Difference Between Institute and Academy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Institutes are often seen as organizations or establishments that have a specific purpose or focus. They can be educational, but they can also be centered around research, development, or other specialized functions. On the other hand, an academy traditionally referred to a place of study or training, with an emphasis on higher learning or specialized fields.
The term "institute" can encompass a broad range of organizations, including those that might offer vocational training, technical education, or research. Some institutes might even focus on policy development or thought leadership in certain fields. Academies, meanwhile, have historically been associated with the arts and sciences. Their focus has generally been on cultivating deep knowledge and skills in their respective disciplines.
In many modern contexts, especially in the realm of education, the lines between an institute and an academy have blurred. Some institutes might operate very similarly to academies, offering specialized educational programs. Conversely, some academies might function like institutes, focusing more on research or development in addition to education.
Interestingly, the term "academy" derives from the ancient Greek Akadēmía, a place near Athens where Plato taught. Its historical roots tie it to philosophical and scholarly pursuits. The term "institute" has Latin origins, implying a foundation or establishment. While both terms can refer to educational entities today, their historical and semantic nuances hint at their different emphases.
Comparison Chart
Origin
Latin (meaning foundation or establishment)
Greek (referring to Plato's school near Athens)
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Primary Association
Organization or establishment with a purpose
Place of study or training in a specialized field
Historical Usage
Broad, including research and policy development
Tied to arts, sciences, or scholarly pursuits
Modern Usage
Can be educational or research-focused
Often educational, especially in arts or sciences
Examples
Technical Institute, Research Institute
Music Academy, Military Academy
Compare with Definitions
Institute
To set in motion or establish.
The city decided to institute new parking regulations.
Academy
A place of study or training in a specialized field.
She was accepted into a prestigious dance academy.
Institute
An institute is an organisational body created for a certain purpose. They are often research organisations (research institutes) created to do research on specific topics.
Academy
A society or institution of distinguished scholars and artists or scientists.
The National Academy of Sciences is a prominent organization.
Institute
To establish, organize, or introduce
Institute wage and price controls.
Academy
A secondary or high school, especially a private one.
He transferred to a military academy during his junior year.
Institute
To initiate; begin
Institute a search for the missing hikers.
Academy
A place of training or practice in literary or artistic pursuits.
The writer's academy hosts monthly workshops.
Institute
To establish or invest (someone) in an office or position.
Academy
A business establishment for training in a particular skill or profession.
She enrolled in a makeup academy to become a certified makeup artist.
Institute
An organization founded to promote a cause
A cancer research institute.
Academy
An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of secondary or tertiary higher learning, research, or honorary membership. The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, founded approximately 385 BC at Akademia, a sanctuary of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and skill, north of Athens, Greece.
Institute
An educational institution, especially one for the instruction of technical subjects.
Academy
A place of study or training in a special field
A police academy
Institute
The building or buildings housing such an institution.
Academy
A society or institution of distinguished scholars and artists or scientists that aims to promote and maintain standards in its particular field
The Royal Academy of Arts
Institute
A usually short, intensive workshop or seminar on a specific subject.
Academy
A school for special instruction.
Institute
A principle or rudiment of a particular subject.
Academy
A secondary or college-preparatory school, especially a private one.
Institute
Institutes A digest of or commentary on such principles or rudiments, especially a legal abstract.
Academy
The academic community; academe
"When there's moral leadership from the White House and from the academy, people tend to adjust" (Jesse Jackson).
Institute
An organization founded to promote a cause
I work in a medical research institute.
Academy
Higher education in general. Used with the.
Institute
An institution of learning; a college, especially for technical subjects
Academy
A society of scholars, scientists, or artists.
Institute
The building housing such an institution
Academy
Plato's school for advanced education and the first institutional school of philosophy.
Institute
(obsolete) The act of instituting; institution.
Academy
Platonism.
Institute
(obsolete) That which is instituted, established, or fixed, such as a law, habit, or custom.
Academy
The disciples of Plato.
Institute
The person to whom an estate is first given by destination or limitation.
Academy
The garden where Plato taught.
Institute
(transitive) To begin or initiate (something); to found.
He instituted the new policy of having children walk through a metal detector to enter school.
Academy
Plato's philosophical system based on skepticism; Plato's followers.
Institute
To train, instruct.
Academy
An institution for the study of higher learning; a college or a university; typically a private school.
Institute
To nominate; to appoint.
Academy
A school or place of training in which some special art is taught.
The military academy at West Point; a riding academy; the Academy of Music.; a music academy; a language academy
Institute
To invest with the spiritual charge of a benefice, or the care of souls.
Academy
A society of learned people united for the advancement of the arts and sciences, and literature, or some particular art or science.
The French Academy; the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; academies of literature and philology.
Institute
(obsolete) Established; organized; founded.
Academy
(obsolete) The knowledge disseminated in an Academy.
Institute
Established; organized; founded.
They have but few laws. For to a people so instruct and institute, very few to suffice.
Academy
Academia.
Institute
To set up; to establish; to ordain; as, to institute laws, rules, etc.
Academy
A body of established opinion in a particular field, regarded as authoritative.
Institute
To originate and establish; to found; to organize; as, to institute a court, or a society.
Whenever any from of government becomes destructive of these ends it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government.
Academy
A school directly funded by central government, independent of local control.
Institute
To nominate; to appoint.
We institute your GraceTo be our regent in these parts of France.
Academy
A garden or grove near Athens (so named from the hero Academus), where Plato and his followers held their philosophical conferences; hence, the school of philosophy of which Plato was head.
Institute
To begin; to commence; to set on foot; as, to institute an inquiry; to institute a suit.
And haply instituteA course of learning and ingenious studies.
Academy
An institution for the study of higher learning; a college or a university. Popularly, a school, or seminary of learning, holding a rank between a college and a common school.
Institute
To ground or establish in principles and rudiments; to educate; to instruct.
If children were early instituted, knowledge would insensibly insinuate itself.
Academy
A place of training; a school.
Institute
To invest with the spiritual charge of a benefice, or the care of souls.
Academy
A society of learned men united for the advancement of the arts and sciences, and literature, or some particular art or science; as, the French Academy; the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; academies of literature and philology.
Institute
The act of instituting; institution.
Academy
A school or place of training in which some special art is taught; as, the military academy at West Point; a riding academy; the Academy of Music.
Institute
That which is instituted, established, or fixed, as a law, habit, or custom.
Academy
A secondary school (usually private)
Institute
An institution; a society established for the promotion of learning, art, science, etc.; a college; as, the Institute of Technology; The Massachusetts Institute of Technology; also, a building owned or occupied by such an institute; as, the Cooper Institute.
Academy
An institution for the advancement of art or science or literature
Institute
The person to whom an estate is first given by destination or limitation.
Academy
A school for special training
Institute
An association organized to promote art or science or education
Academy
A learned establishment for the advancement of knowledge
Institute
Set up or lay the groundwork for;
Establish a new department
Institute
Avance or set forth in court;
Bring charges
Institute proceedings
Institute
A society or organization having a specific purpose, especially in the fields of education or research.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is renowned for its engineering programs.
Institute
An establishment that offers specialized instruction or services.
She attended a language institute to improve her Spanish.
Institute
A principle or standard.
The institute of marriage is held sacred by many.
Institute
An event or program organized around a particular activity or interest.
The annual art institute showcases works from local artists.
Common Curiosities
What is an institute primarily?
An institute is typically an organization or establishment with a specific purpose, often related to education or research.
Where does the term "academy" originate?
The term "academy" originates from ancient Greek, referring to Plato's school near Athens.
Can an academy be a school?
Yes, the term "academy" can also refer to a secondary or high school, especially private ones.
Can an academy be research-focused?
While academies traditionally focus on education, some modern academies also emphasize research in their specialized fields.
Can an institute offer degrees?
Yes, many educational institutes offer degrees, especially technical or vocational ones.
Are art schools termed academies?
Many art schools use the term "academy" in their names, reflecting their specialized focus on artistic training.
Which is broader in scope, an institute or academy?
Generally, the term "institute" has a broader scope, encompassing various organizations, while "academy" often refers to specialized places of study or training.
Is an academy always related to arts and sciences?
Historically, academies were tied to arts and sciences, but today they can encompass a range of specialized fields.
How does an institute differ from a university?
While both can be educational entities, an institute often has a narrower focus, while a university offers a broad range of programs and degrees.
Are all institutes educational?
No, while many institutes are educational, others might focus on research, policy, or other specialized functions.
Is a research institute an educational entity?
Not necessarily. A research institute primarily focuses on research, though some may also offer educational programs.
Can both institutes and academies be private or public?
Yes, both institutes and academies can be private or public entities, depending on their founding and funding sources.
Are military schools considered academies?
Yes, military schools are often termed military academies.
Can an institute be for non-academic training?
Yes, institutes can offer vocational, technical, or other forms of specialized training not necessarily deemed academic.
Is "academy" used in reference to higher education?
While academies can offer advanced training, the term is not exclusively tied to higher education like universities or colleges.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
