Yes, certainly. A Top-Level Domain (TLD) is the highest level of domain names in the root zone of the internet’s Domain Name System (DNS). TLDs are often identified by the last part of a domain name. For example, in the domain name www.google.com, “.com” is the TLD.
The “.university” is one of the latest TLDs created and approved by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), as part of a major expansion of the internet’s addressing system. Traditionally, the list of TLDs included familiar domains like .com, .org, .net, along with two-letter country codes such as .us, .uk, .fr, etc. ICANN, the non-profit organization responsible for coordinating the internet’s global domain name system, decided to introduce new generic TLDs (gTLDs) to increase competition and choice in the domain name space.
The “.university” gTLD is one of these extensions, providing educational institutions the opportunity to have a more descriptive, niche-focused digital presence. For instance, instead of a university identifying itself as “universityname.edu,” it might now be “universityname.university.” This gives more communal feel to university-related websites, promoting a clear indication of what they represent. Such gTLDs are expected to enhance user experience by maintaining a standardized categorization system of URLs, making them more intuitive and easier to remember.
As reported by ICANN, anyone can register for a “.university” domain, but given its specific field connotations, it is expected that the primary users of these domains will be universities, colleges, academic institutions, students, professors, education services, and so on. This expectation is, however, not part of a mandatory policy, therefore, businesses, individuals, and organizations outside the direct field of higher education might also register such domains.
Please note that applying for a new gTLD isn’t a simple process and it’s not cheap either. The application fee is $185,000 and annual running cost is $25,000. There are additional costs as well if there are disputes over who gets a particular new gTLD.
It’s also important to mention that while the “.university” extension may be a logical choice for a university’s main website, it is by no means the only choice. Many universities might continue using their existing “.edu” or “.ac.uk” (in case of the United Kingdom) domain names, mainly because of the recognition and trust these TLDs have gained over many years. However, the “.university” zone provides new possibilities especially for new organizations, new services, and new ideas in the realm of university education.
Sources:
1. Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers: https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/
2. “The Top Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs)” by Radix: https://radix.website/blog/the-top-generic-top-level-domains-gtlds/
3. “For Universities, New “.university” Domain Names May Be a Logical Choice” by David Raths, Campus Technology: https://campustechnology.com/articles/2014/05/13/for-universities-new-dot-university-domain-names-may-be-a-logical-choice.aspx.
