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Graduation
Certificate
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ECTS-Points
24
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Learning format
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Duration
2 semesters, part time
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Start
Winter semester 2025/26
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Costs
EUR 4.200,--
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Admission requirements
According to curriculum
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Language
English
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Study location
Krems (AT)
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Curriculum
Subject to Senate approval
Participants gain a solid grounding in higher education governance and the legal and ethical frameworks of ombuds work (confidentiality, data protection). They develop essential transversal skills - such as strategic negotiation, communication, and self-reflection - and learn to apply techniques in alternative dispute resolution. The programme emphasizes peer learning, joint case analysis, and peer coaching, creating a strong network of practice. It prepares participants to navigate the sensitive role of intermediaries, advocate for fair policies, and use conflict as a driver for institutional learning and change. The CP offers a unique pathway for mastering the challenges of ombuds work and contributing to the professionalization of this vital field.
The CP was developed in cooperation with the European Network of Ombuds in Higher Education (ENOHE) and the Department for Legal Studies and International Relations at UWK. It is co-funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research.
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Target Group
The programme is aimed at individuals in higher education who are responsible for handling complaints and resolving conflicts between stakeholders. This includes both explicitly designated ombudspersons as well as professionals dealing with student complaints and/or discrimination cases in other roles, such as diversity management, student counseling, and academic units. The diverse professional backgrounds and levels of experience among participants are essential for achieving the programme’s learning outcomes.
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future-oriented
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networking
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practice-oriented
Curriculum
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Contents
Module 1 provides a foundational understanding of governance structures and legal frameworks relevant to ombudspersons in higher education and others working in similar areas. Participants will analyze organisational and stakeholder dynamics within higher education institutions and the larger European Higher Education Area and develop the competencies to address legal and ethical challenges in their work, with particular focus on confidentiality, privacy, whistleblowing, and non-discrimination.
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Contents
Module 2 develops advanced communication and negotiation skills tailored to the university context, enabling participants to navigate difficult conversations and stakeholder dynamics. The module emphasizes empathetic listening, strategic dialogue, and interest-based negotiation approaches. It is designed for those managing complex interactions and aiming to build trust in institutional environments.
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Contents
This module focuses specifically on dispute settling and conflict resolution in the context of higher education as the core responsibility of ombuds. Learners will analyse conflict sources, understand conflict management systems and recognise cultural and contextual differences. The module provides learners with concrete ADR techniques they can apply in their work; participants will learn how to support stakeholders effectively, how to encourage proactive conflict management and how to promote institutional learning.
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Contents
In the CP’s concluding module, participants will apply the learning outcomes of the previous modules to work together on actual cases and devise solutions. Moreover, the module aims to foster the reflective, emotional, and interpersonal competencies essential for ombuds in higher education. Participants will develop strategies for stress management and self-care while enhancing their own resilience and empathy. Leveraging peer-learning and collaboration, the module emphasizes the importance of peer-support net-works in sustaining professional effectiveness in high-pressure environments. Through interactive workshops and case-based group work, participants will analyze complex real-world challenges from their own backgrounds, reflect on critical incidents, and develop collective solutions to systemic and interpersonal issues in higher education
Head of Study Programme
Application & Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- A completed university degree (minimum of a Bachelor's degree),
OR - A general university entrance qualification and at least one year of relevant professional experience in dealing with (student) complaints and/or conflict management within higher education institutions,
OR - A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience as an ombudsperson or in a comparable role involving conflict and complaint management in higher education settings.
Travel and accommodation costs may be covered through Erasmus+ staff training (higher education) funds, provided that the mobility is approved by the applicant’s home institution and the relevant conditions are met. Please note that tuition fees are not eligible for funding. For details, please refer to the Erasmus+ Staff Training information. We are happy to support you in the application process where possible.
Interested in applying for the Certificate Programme “Managing Conflict and Effective Dispute Resolution in Higher Education”?
We’re delighted to hear that!
As the final steps of curricular approval are currently underway, we kindly invite prospective participants to express their interest informally at this stage. Please send us a short email or fill out the form below. This will ensure you receive timely updates and will be informed once the official application process opens.
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Leave your contact details to be added to the list of interested parties. We will be happy to keep you up to date with important dates and news about this continuing education program.
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