Is the University for Continuing Education Krems a public or private university?

The University for Continuing Education Krems is one out of 22 Austrian public universities – organized according to the University Act and the Federal Law on the University for Continuing Education Krems.

What distinguishes the University for Continuing Education Krems from other Austrian universities?

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.

What is a university course within continuing education?

In Austria, a university course is defined as an extraordinary course of studies pursuing the function of continuing education (University Act 2002 §51 20]). The University for Continuing Education offers a wide range of university courses, either completing as Master, “Academic Expert“ or “Certified Program“. Additionally, PhD programs can be taken as regular studies.

In which fields of study can university courses be taken?

The University for Continuing Education Krems offers university courses in the following areas:

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

In addition to the master's programs and short programs completing with the degrees "Academic Expert" or "Certified 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

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

How are the master‘s degrees to be assessed?

Due to the University Act 2002 Austrian master’s degrees in continuing education are bestowed after completion of university courses (in addition to other types of courses). These courses are comparable with foreign master‘s courses in terms of entrance requirements, scope, and prerequisites. The master‘s degrees of continuing education are to be cited as fully-fledged academic degrees without restriction, yet are not identical with the master‘s degrees of regular studies, although some of them share the same wording.

What admission requirements must I consider in order to study at the University for Continuing Education Krems?

The University for Continuing Education Krems requires a completed degree at least ranking a Bachelor. However, with an equivalent professional qualification the option to enroll studies is given in many cases. If students are to be admitted to master‘s courses on the basis of “qualifications to be maintained at the same level“, i. e. without a formal Bachelor degree, but on the basis of competences acquired non-formally or informally in master‘s courses, the examination of entrance competences is carried out in accordance with the EQF/NQF descriptors for the bachelor‘s level (Federal Act on the National Qualifications Framework 2016, NQF Act). For this purpose, individual course-specific equivalence testing procedures are applied (e. g. pre-tests, competence maps, admission interviews, portfolios). Please search for the admission requirements in the respective course description.

Find general information on admission here.

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