Information about the reform of academic continuing education

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.

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.

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 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.

According to the Universities Act 2002, holders of an academic degree from continuing education are entitled to use it in full or in abbreviated form - e.g., BA (CE), MSc (CE), MPr - after their name. This also includes the right to be entered in certificates in abbreviated form.

In addition to several years of relevant professional experience, the following are prerequisites for admission to a master's program in continuing education

• the completion of a relevant bachelor's degree with at least 180 ECTS credit points,
• or the completion of another professionally relevant study program corresponding to at least the same level of higher education at a recognized national or international post-secondary educational institution.

In deviation from this, a relevant professional qualification may be specified in the curriculum as the sole admission requirement for the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), provided that the admission conditions, scope, and requirements are demonstrably comparable with the admission conditions, scope and requirements of several international master's degree programs that come into question in terms of subject matter.

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.  

This validation is still in preparation.

Yes, it will be possible to recognize achievements from a "Certified Program" (CP) or „Academic Expert" (AE) at the University for Continuing Education Krems if there are no significant differences regarding the acquired learning outcomes.

Yes, in the future it will be possible to take a continuing education study program leading to a Bachelor Professional (BPr) degree without a general university entrance qualification (Matura), but relevant professional qualification or several years of relevant professional experience are required.

For admission to a BA (CE) or BSc (CE) program, proof of a general university entrance qualification as well as proof of several years of relevant professional experience must be submitted.

In principle, a doctoral program/PhD program possible after a continuing education master's program. The universities will regulate the respective admissions individually.