More than 20,000 students at private universities

2023-07-31 16:48:45

The sector, which has existed for 25 years, is growing continuously, has the highest proportion of international students and has the state seal of quality

Vienna/St.Pölten/Krems/Linz/Salzburg/Hall/Feldkirch (OTS) – At the current 19 Austrian private universities and colleges, more than 20,000 people are already studying in over 200 courses in social and economic sciences, law, medicine, theology, philosophy as well as art and music. The private universities have thus doubled their market share in the last 10 years. When it comes to training in occupations where there is a shortage, they represent a supplement to the public higher education system, for example they cover 21% of the study places in medicine offered in Austria. In recent years, the private sector has had the highest growth rate of any tertiary education sector, and this trend is set to continue. The vast majority of students enrolled at private universities (83%) finance their studies themselves. At over 51%, the sector has the highest proportion of international students in Austria.

Private universities and colleges are subject to very strict quality oversight and disclosure requirements. Numerous Austrian private universities have already had their quality as an institution and in teaching and research confirmed over several six-year cycles in strict inspection procedures carried out by the competent authority AQ Austria. For the first time, a reaccreditation period of ten years has been certified for a private university (Paracelsus Medical Private University). This gives the sector recognition for the serious, quality-assuring further development at the established institutions.

About the ÖPUK:

The ÖPUK represents the interests of Austrian private universities and represents their concerns to the legislator, the public, the media and other important stakeholders. She is a founding member of the European Union of Private Higher Education (EUPHE), an association of European private universities that advocates more decision-making powers and uniform admission criteria for private universities in Europe and represents these issues in the European Parliament.