FAQ

The University for Continuing Education Krems is one out of 23 Austrian public universities – organized according to the University Act and the Federal Law on the University for Continuing Education Krems.

The University for Continuing Education Krems is the leading public university for continuing education in Europe and the only public university for continuing education within the German-speaking countries. Consequently, it specializes in the higher qualification of working professionals and dedicates its teaching and research to current and future societal challenges. Our study model is oriented toward the specific requirements of adult learners in all phases of life and especially to the needs of working professionals. At the beginning of their studies more than half of the students have over ten years of work experience. Combining this expertise with the experience of our teaching staff a high-level knowledge and competence transfer is provided equally important to the studies, ahead of the curve, and developed by the University for Continuing Education Krems as one of its key strengths. The university holds the quality seal of the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria) throughout combining ongoing innovation in research and teaching following highest quality standards.

The University for Continuing Education Krems offers master's and bachelor's degree programs in continuing education as well as short programs (Academic Expert Programs, Certificate Programs and Micro-Credential Programs). Study programs that serve the purpose of continuing education are extraordinary studies and are referred to as university courses in the Universities Act 2002.  

PhD programs can be taken as regular studies at the University for Continuing Education Krems.

The University for Continuing Education Krems offers continuing education study programs and short programs in the following areas:

• Arts and Culture
• Building and Environment
• Digitalization and Sensors
• Economics and Business Management
• Education
• Health and Medicine
• Law and Administration
• Media and Communication
• Migration and International Affairs
• Psychotherapy and Social Services

In addition to the continuing education bachelor's and master's programs and short programs such as "Academic Expert Programs", "Certificate Programs" or "Micro-Credential Programs", the University for Continuing Education Krems is currently conducting PhD studies in the following areas:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Migration Studies
• Technology, Innovation, and Cohesive Societies
• Applied Evidence Synthesis in Health Research

For a specific search for study programs, please use the online course search.

With the reform package of academic continuing education, which has been implemented since October 2023, academic continuing education in Austria is being reorganized. The framework conditions for continuing education studies in Austria will be standardized and adapted to the Bologna structure (Bachelor – Master – PhD). The equivalence of academic degrees enables permeability between regular and continuing education studies. In future, the completion of a bachelor‘s degree in academic continuing education will thus entitle the holder to admission to a (regular) master‘s degree program at another university. The reverse is also true: the completion of a bachelor‘s degree entitles the holder to admission to a master‘s degree program in continuing education. In addition, persons who have completed a master‘s degree in continuing education will in the future be entitled to enroll for a PhD program. 

The suffix (CE) stands for "continuing education" and identifies a continuing education study program as such. In this way, it provides visibility for continuing education studies and helps demonstrate specialized expertise.

A Bachelor Professional (abbreviated BPr) is the academic degree awarded for a practice-oriented continuing education study program. The program is conducted in cooperation with extra-university educational institutions, with a focus on applied theory and transfer into practice based on academic quality standards. Admission to the program requires a relevant professional qualification or several years of relevant professional experience. Thus, the continuing education study program leading to the degree "Bachelor Professional" enables professionally experienced persons without a general university entrance qualification (Matura) to access academic further education. Information on admission requirements can be found on the respective study pages. Further information is available from the study directors and the Service Center for Students.

Comprising 180 ECTS credits, the Bachelor Professional is equivalent to other bachelor's degree programs and qualifies students for a continuing education master's degree program as well as for a regular master's degree program.  

The continuing education study program leading to the degree "Bachelor Professional" (BPr) is anchored in the Austrian University Act 2002 since the reform of academic continuing education 2021. The degree must be distinguished from the German title of the same wording: The German "BPr" is not an academic degree, but a professional title awarded by the Chambers of Crafts, Industry and Commerce of Germany. 

Master Professional (abbreviated MPr) is the name of the academic degree awarded for a practice-oriented continuing education study program. The program is carried out in cooperation with extra-university educational institutions, with a focus on applied theory and transfer into practice based on university quality standards. Admission requirements for the program are a relevant bachelor's degree (at least 180 ECTS credits) and several years of relevant professional experience. Further information and any additional specific admission requirements can be found on the respective program page and in the curriculum of the program in question. Further information is also available from the Study Program Directors and the Service Center for Students.

The Master Professional comprises between 90 and 120 ECTS credits and is equivalent to other master's programs. It generally qualifies graduates for admission to a doctoral program, although the respective university decides on admission in every case.
The Master Professional (MPr) study program has been included in the Austrian University Act 2002 since the reform of academic continuing education 2021. 

According to the Universities Act 2002, bachelor's and master's degrees in continuing education are Austrian academic degrees that can be used without restriction (e.g. use on business cards) and entered on certificates in Austria.
With the amendment of the Universities Act 2021, the framework conditions for continuing education studies in Austria were standardized and integrated into the Bologna structure (Bachelor - Master - PhD). This ensures permeability between regular and continuing education studies.

A bachelor's degree in continuing education qualifies for both a postgraduate continuing education master's degree and a regular master's degree; a master's degree in continuing education qualifies for a subsequent doctoral degree.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc) degrees are supplemented by the term "Continuing Education" (CE). This suffix ensures the visibility of continuing education programs and provides evidence of specialized expertise.

Yes, all continuing education bachelor's programs can be taken without a general university entrance qualification (Matura), but with proof of the prerequisites required in the curriculum of the relevant continuing education bachelor's program and several years of relevant professional experience - with the exception of the Bachelor Professional, BPr.

A continuing education study program leading to a Bachelor Professional, BPr degree can also be taken without a general university entrance qualification (Matura), but relevant professional qualification or several years of relevant professional experience are required.

If you have completed training to at least NQF level IV or have several years of relevant professional experience, the short programs of the University for Continuing Education Krems are also open to you. As stackable programs, these can also be combined with each other at a later date and combined to achieve an academic degree (bachelor's or master's degree) - in this case, the admission requirements of the respective higher-level degree program must be observed.

An overview of the minimum admission requirements for all study programs at the University for Continuing Education Krems can be found here: https://www.donau-uni.ac.at/en/studies/study-organisation/admission-requirements.html.

The admission requirements at the University for Continuing Education Krems vary depending on the type of continuing education study program you are aiming for.

The minimal requirements for a study program or short program at the University for Continuing Education Krems are listed here.

Please refer to the respective curricula for further specific admission requirements for the individual continuing education (study) programs.

Find general information on admission here.

In accordance with the University Act 2002 holders of a master‘s degree in continuing education are entitled to use the full title or abbreviated version (e. g. MA (CE), MSc (CE)) after their names as well as the right to register the abbreviated form in official documents.

The suffix (CE) stands for "continuing education" and identifies a continuing education study program as such. In this way, it provides visibility for continuing education studies and helps demonstrate specialized expertise.

In accordance with the University Act 2002 holders of a bachelor‘s degree in continuing education are entitled to use the full title or abbreviated version (e. g. BA (CE), BSc (CE)) after their names as well as the right to register the abbreviated form in official documents.

The suffix (CE) stands for "continuing education" and identifies a continuing education study program as such. In this way, it provides visibility for continuing education studies and helps demonstrate specialized expertise.

The Austrian bachelor's and master's degrees in academic continuing education are equivalent to the degrees of regular bachelor's and master's programs. This enables permeability between regular and continuing education study programs. The completion of a bachelor's degree in continuing education entitles the holder to pursue a master's degree in continuing education as well as a (regular) master's degree at another university. Bilateral agreements regulate whether the academic degrees awarded in continuing education may be used abroad. On the basis of these agreements, graduates can use the bachelor's and master's degrees obtained at the University for Continuing Education Krems in the other contracting country. There is such an agreement between Austria and Germany, for example. If there is no such agreement, the national regulations for international degrees in the respective country apply. The responsible authority/office decides on the use in individual cases.

Qualified information on the recognition of academic degrees and a comparison of Austrian and German degrees can be found on the ANABIN platform (information system for the recognition of international educational qualifications at the Central Office for Foreign Education). The University for Continuing Education Krems has H+ status in the ANABIN database. Institutions of this type are recognized as universities (accredited, etc.) in the respective country of origin and are therefore considered universities in Germany.

Credits from continuing education study programs and short programs can be recognized for regular studies. According to § 78 UG (Universities Act 2002), positively assessed examinations and other study achievements are to be recognized if they do not show any significant differences in terms of learning outcomes and were taken at an educational institution such as a “Berufsbildende Höhere Schule (BHS)” or a recognized post-secondary educational institution.

Certain scientific, artistic and professional activities are to be recognized if there are no significant differences with regard to the acquired competences (learning outcomes) (activities resulting from scientific, artistic and professional activities in companies and research institutions that provide scientific or artistic professional training; likewise in the case of relevant professional activities with pedagogical components for teacher training studies).

Other professional or non-professional qualifications may be recognized after the university has carried out a validation of the learning outcomes.

According to § 78 UG (Universities Act 2002), positively assessed examinations and other study achievements are to be recognized if they do not show any significant differences in terms of learning outcomes and were taken at an educational institution such as a “Berufsbildende Höhere Schule (BHS)” or a recognized post-secondary educational institution.

Certain scientific, artistic and professional activities are to be recognized if there are no significant differences with regard to the acquired competences (learning outcomes) (activities resulting from scientific, artistic and professional activities in companies and research institutions that provide scientific or artistic professional training; likewise in the case of relevant professional activities with pedagogical components for teacher training studies).

Other professional or non-professional qualifications may be recognized after the university has carried out a validation of the learning outcomes.

Yes, according to § 78 UG (Universities Act 2002), professional or non-professional qualifications can also be recognized after a validation of the learning outcomes has been carried out.

Since the winter semester 2023/2024, the University for Continuing Education Krems has been offering part-time continuing education bachelor's study programs for the first time. The new continuing education bachelor's study program, made possible by the reform of higher education in Austria, provides a bridge to a master's degree and opens up new opportunities for professionally experienced adults with and without a general university entrance qualification (Matura). The completion of a continuing education bachelor's degree entitles the holder to a master's degree in continuing education as well as to a (regular) master's degree at other universities.

To increase the visibility of continuing education, the degrees will in future be given the suffix "(CE)" for "Continuing Education" by university law, which will be added after the bachelor's and master's degrees. The suffix provides visibility for continuing education studies and helps demonstrate specialized expertise.

Professionally experienced persons will also have the opportunity to pursue a continuing education study program leading to the degree of "BPr" (Bachelor Professional). This study program is carried out in cooperation with extra-university educational institutions.

Overview of currently available bachelor studies (in German)

The University for Continuing Education Krems has been conducting PhD studies as regular studies pursuant to the University Act 2002 since the accreditation by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria) in May 2015. The current PhD studies support the research priorities of the University for Continuing Education Krems in the fields of "Regenerative Medicine", "Migration Studies", "Technology, Innovation, and Cohesive Societies", and "Applied Evidence Synthesis in Health Research".

PhD students are integrated into an active research team at the University for Continuing Education Krems. The PhD program lasts a minimum of three years; no tuition fees are charged. Admission to a PhD program at the University for Continuing Education Krems is subject to a selection process.

Find more information about the PhD programs here

The Universities Act 2002 specifies that all public universities shall charge course fees for university courses which cover the costs of the courses offered. The continuing education study programs and short programs of the University for Continuing Education Krems are university courses within the meaning of the UG 2002.

The amount of the continuing education tuition fees charged by the University for Continuing Education Krems for the individual continuing education study programs and short programs depends on the type of course, the format and the subject area. Please refer to the study pages and in the respective curricula. The continuing education tuition fees include the ÖH fee, the costs for learning materials and the StudienServiceCard. Continuing education costs are tax-deductible as income-related expenses or business expenses.

An overview of all funding agencies, information on tax breaks for continuing education and links to funding databases are available under Study Grants. The study program manager will gladly provide necessary information on the possibilities of any financial support.

Descriptions of all continuing education study programs and short programs can be found in the Studies section. Our course catalogue allows you to select by subject, type of degree, duration, language or learning format, for example, in order to find the right program. You can obtain detailed information on a specific continuing education study program or short program from the contact persons listed in the course descriptions.

Application and admission

Information on the application procedure and application forms are available online at the respective continuing education study program or short program and can be printed out, filled in and sent to the above contact address. After confirmation that the admission requirements have been met, future students can register online for the course: Online pre-registration

People who continuously improve their knowledge, skills, and competences in a dynamic world of work are able to realize their individual life plans and to follow their own career paths. At the University for Continuing Education Krems, working professionals acquire new competencies, update their knowledge, further develop their personal skills, and thus are prepared to take the next step in their career and to shape their lives. While studying, students encounter not only lecturers, but benefit from exchanging ideas with other working students while expanding their network.

85% of the graduates rate their studies as contributing to their professional competence; 87% value them as contributing to their personal development. 85% of graduates would recommend their studies at the University for Continuing Education Krems to others (source: Graduates Survey 2020).

Date of beginning depends on the program. Please look up referred information in the respective course description.

The starting dates for continuing education study programs, short programs and university seminars vary. Please refer to the respective study pages for more information.

Students enrolled at the University for Continuing Education Krems are entitled to participate in international student mobility programs (e.g. Erasmus+).

Service Center for International Relations

In accordance with the Universities Act 2002, the University for Continuing Education Krems offers bachelor's degree programs leading to BSc (CE), BA (CE) or BPr and master's degree programs leading to MA (CE), MSc (CE), MBA, EMBA, LL.M. and MPr. The suffix (CE) stands for "continuing education" and identifies a continuing education study program as such. In this way, it provides visibility for continuing education studies and helps demonstrate specialized expertise.

In addition, shorte  programs such as "Academic Expert Programs", "Certificate Programs" and "Micro-Credential Programs" are available. Furthermore, PhD studies leading to a doctoral degree are offered.

Please refer to the individual descriptions of the continuing education study programs and short programs for the respective degrees.

Admission to a PhD program is ultimately always the responsibility of the respective university that offers such a program. With the reform of higher education in 2021, the integration of continuing education studies into the Bologna system ensured the equivalence and mutual permeability of continuing education studies and regular studies. This means that persons who have completed a master's degree in continuing education are also eligible for doctoral studies.

ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System and was introduced as part of the Bologna process. Students are urged to accomplish a certain workload, which illustrates the bases for crediting, charging and accumulating achievements of studies (ECTS-Points) in order to complete a learning program. The European Credit Transfer System enables students to compare study programs and assess their workload. The system facilitates mobility and recognition of study achievements already made. The workload of a fulltime student covering one academic year amounts to 60 ECTS credits; an agreement the European Credit Transfer System is based on. Hence, in Austria the following credit was established: a 25 hour workload adds up to one ECTS credit point. A full-time study program results in a workload of 30 ECTS credits per semester whereby preparation and follow-up for courses, course attendance (= contact time or attendance time expressed in class units), examination and exam preparation, independent work and e-learning activities are further included in the workload.

The quality management system has been certified by an external auditor, AQ Austria, in compliance with the Austrian Higher Education Quality Assurance Act (HS-QSG 2011). Although according to Austrian law, public universities are not obliged to have any individual courses accredited, the University for Continuing Education Krems certifies individual continuing education study programs and short programs in conformity of international standards.

Please find more information here: www.donau-uni.ac.at/qualitymanagement

As opposed to continuing education in general, the distinctive element of a continuing education study program is its reference to scientific criteria and research. Current research results and scientific methods feed into academic continuing education, as it is conducted at the University for Continuing Education Krems, from research into teaching, combined with the corresponding high quality standards.

Students can acquire skills and competencies through continuing education studies that will enable them to succeed in an ever-changing world of work. The studies at the University for Continuing Education Krems address relevant issues of societal, technological, and organizational developments and prepare students for current and future challenges.

The specific requirements of adult learners in their life phases, especially as professionals, are taken into account in the continuing education studies at the University for Continuing Education Krems. More than half of the approximately 8,000 students enrolled at the University for Continuing Education Krems bring more than 10 years of professional experience and usually already have a higher education degree. The combination of on-campus phases and digital learning formats (blended learning) facilitates part-time study or helps students balance their studies, work, and family life.

The University for Continuing Education Krems is the only public university in the German-speaking world that specializes in academic continuing education. Due to its structural characteristics as a public university, it pursues high academic quality standards in research and teaching and continuously combines these with innovation. The University for Continuing Education Krems carries the quality seal of the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria).

In 1995, the University for Continuing Education Krems opened its doors to students. Since its foundation more than 25 years ago, the University for Continuing Education Krems has carried the idea of innovation within itself.
For example, it is the first and to date the only public University for Continuing Education throughout the German-speaking world. It was the first public university with its own legal personality, long before the other public universities acquired this status. Some of its principles were incorporated into the Universities Act of 2002 with the intention to make the Austrian higher education area more competitive.
The courses offered at the University for Continuing Education Krems also follow the mission to innovate and address current and future societal, technological, and organizational issues. Designing study courses that keep up with the times is the strength of the University for Continuing Education Krems.

Currently, about 7,500 people from about 90 countries study at the University for Continuing Education Krems.

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Since its foundation in 1995, more than 30,000 graduates from more than 90 countries have completed their studies at the University for Continuing Education Krems.

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The University for Continuing Education Krems focuses its research in transferring basic knowledge to application and practice. Our research is distinguished by its societal results and impact on society as we rely on strong cooperation partners working in business and science as well as those in public national and international institutions. Research at the University for Continuing Education Krems is focused on six comprehensive research fields:

• Cultural Heritage
• Educational Technologies and Continuing Education Research
• Evidence-Based Health Research
• Innovation for Cohesive and Sustainable Societies
• Preventive and Regenerative Medicine
• Transnational Societies and Migration

www.donau-uni.ac.at/research

In 2022, the amount of third-party research funds raised was appr. 10 million euros.

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