(~s)
1.
In Britain, a ~ was a college where you could go after leaving school in order to study academic subjects up to degree level, or to train for particular jobs. In 1992, all the ~s in Britain became universities.
N-VAR: oft in names
2.
In the United States, ~ is the former name for a school, college, or university which specialized in courses in science and technology.
N-VAR: oft in names