The Binary Divide refers to UK higher education and the differentiation between polytechnic institutions (including central institutions) and universities within the United Kingdom between 1965 and 1992. Many Polytechnics had roots in the mid 19th Century. The Polytechnic Institutions original focus was on STEM subjects especially engineering and applied science but soon after they formed they developed faculties in humanities, law, and other professional practice occupations.
This ended with the Further and Higher Education Act 1992.
The University of Ulster was formed in 1984 from a merger between the New University of Ulster and the Ulster Polytechnic - the only such "trans binary merger" that crossed the divide.
References
Binary Divide Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA