Academic institutions (former) applicable to male or female (6)
I believe the answer is:
unisex
'academic institutions former applicable' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'to male or female' is the wordplay.
'to' becomes 'uni' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'male or female' becomes 'sex' (a person's sex).
'uni'+'sex'='UNISEX'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for unisex that I've seen before include "for boys and girls" , "Of clothing, hairstyles etc - suitable for men and women" , "For both males and females" , "Suitable for male and female" , "Gender-inclusive" .)