Guidelines for deans of studies

Responsibilities in the area of teaching and study matters

University Director of Studies - Vice-Rector for Teaching and Students

The monocratic body responsible for enforcing the provisions of study law in the first instance in accordance with § 19 para. 2 no. 2 Universities Act 2002 is University Directorate of Studies. At the University of Innsbruck, the tasks of the Director of Studies are carried out by the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Students. The Director of Studies authorises Deans of Studies and Study representative for certain tasks. The names of the deans of studies and study representatives as well as their tasks are published in the University Gazette.

Deans of Studies - Student representatives

Deans of Studies are appointed for the organisation of studies and teaching and examination operations at faculty level. If several degree programmes are established at the faculty, Study representative can also be appointed if required. These university lecturers are authorised by University Directorate of Studies to decide on numerous tasks on their behalf and in accordance with guidelines issued for this purpose. The deans of studies are responsible for ensuring that courses are offered in accordance with the curricula and in compliance with legal and statutory provisions as well as actual requirements based on student numbers and budgetary feasibility.

All information on the tasks can be found at Articles of Association and at Organisation chart of the University of Innsbruck.

Institute

The institutes are responsible for entering the courses to be offered as part of the curricula/programme plans. Furthermore, the institutes are responsible for entering course examinations in VIS:online and (in addition to the Faculty Service Centre) for reserving and booking course dates.

Faculty Service Centre

The Faculty Service Centre is a central administrative body responsible for optimal and standardised administration in teaching for the 16 faculties. This includes, among other things, ensuring proper input into the catalogue of teaching objectives (implementation of the respective valid company agreements in the area of teaching, provisions of the collective agreement) by the institutes and thus ensuring that teaching is offered for all fields of study. All of this is done in close cooperation with the relevant deans of studies. The Faculty Service Centre serves as a point of contact for external lecturers to sign their contracts. Other tasks in the area of teaching include lecture theatre and seminar room administration and the electronic evaluation of multiple choice examinations.

Examination units

The Examination unit is the central point of contact for students and lecturers for all examination matters. In addition to a high level of information and customer management, the most important tasks include processing examination protocols for issuing final certificates and notifications, checking registration requirements for subject, module and final examinations, processing applications for recognition and maintaining data in VIS:online.

Study department

The Admissions Office is a service organisation whose core tasks include the admission of students. In particular, it is the point of contact for the deans of studies when checking equivalence as part of the admission procedure. Furthermore, the Department of Studies is responsible for organising the academic graduation ceremonies. You can find female employees at here.

Further training

The Coordination Centre for University Continuing Education (UWB) is a service institution of the University of Innsbruck. In the spirit of lifelong learning, the Coordination Office for University Continuing Education offers university courses as well as university courses. These programmes are primarily aimed at university graduates and subject specialists.

Contact: +43 512 507-39401 or +43 512 507-39405; Weiterbildung@uibk.ac.at

Central legal service

The Central Legal Service advises the bodies, authorities and organisational units of the University, particularly in the areas of organisational law, study law, contract law, insurance and claims as well as matters relating to the Students' Union. The Central Legal Service publishes the University's newsletter, in which legally significant announcements (e.g. announcement of curricula, authorisations in study law) are published.

The responsibilities in detail and the respective contact persons can be found on the homepage of Central Legal Service.

Organisation of the academic year

Legal basis/regulations/directives

Universities Act 2002

The Universities Act 2002 (UG) is the legal basis for the organisation of universities and their degree programmes.

UG 2002 online

NEW admission procedure
In accordance with Amendment to the Universities Act 2002, it was decided to establish multi-stage admission procedures for degree programmes that are in particularly high demand. This regulation came into force in the 2013/2014 winter semester. This means that there is a fixed number of study places for selected degree programmes, which has been specified by the Federal Ministry of Science and Research for all Austrian universities.

Development plan of the University of Innsbruck

With the development plan, the University Council, Rectorate and Senate have created a comprehensive basis for the sustainable development of the University of Innsbruck. Research priorities, future studies, the creation and replacement of professorships were linked to a budget programme until 2019+. The University's strategic goals (development goals) are based on two guiding principles

• Excellence in teaching
• Excellence in research

Development planof the University of Innsbruck

Organisation chart of the University of Innsbruck

The Rectorate of the University of Innsbruck shall draw up an organisational plan after receiving the opinion of the Senate and with the approval of the University Council (see Universities Act 2002 § 20 para. 4). The organisational plan regulates the structural and procedural organisation within the University, the communication between the individual organisational units as well as the possibilities of participation for the members of the University.
According to the organisational plan, a basic distinction is made between organisational units with research and teaching tasks and administrative organisational units.

Current version of the Organisations

Study Evidence Ordinance

The Federal Legal Information System (RIS) serves to publicise the legal provisions to be published in the Federal Law Gazette and to provide information on the law of the Republic of Austria.

The Ordinance of the Federal Minister of Education, Science and Culture on Student Records (University Student Records Ordinance 2004 - UniStEV 2004) expired on 19 July 20219 and was replaced by the University and Higher Education Statistics and Educational Documentation Ordinance.

University and College Statistics and Education Documentation Ordinance

Statute section "Study law provisions"

Each university shall itself issue the necessary regulatory provisions within the framework of the laws and ordinances by ordinance (statutes). The statutes shall be adopted and amended by the Senate on the proposal of the Rectorate by a simple majority. The following matters, among others, are to be regulated in the statutes:

• Electoral regulations for the election of members of the University Council, the Senate and other bodies
• Establishment of a monocratic body responsible for the implementation of study law provisions in the first instance
• General guidelines for the realisation, publication and implementation of evaluations
• Study law provisions in accordance with the UG 2002 (part of study law)
• Composition of the Equal Opportunities Working Group
• Plan for the advancement of women
• etc.

Current complete version at Statutes of the University of Innsbruck
Legal basis: Universities Act 2002 § 19

Validation of articles of association

Statutory part "Validation" pursuant to UG 2002 § 25 para. 1 Z1

(published in the newsletter of 20 October 2023. 4th edition, no. 80)

Curricula

According to UG 2002 § 51 para. 2 no. 24, the curriculum is a regulation that defines the qualification profile, the content and structure of a degree programme and the examination regulations.

You can access the curricula/programme plans of the faculties via the respective study profile.
The individual degree programmes can be found under the following link: https://www.uibk.ac.at/de/studien/.

Evaluation section of the Articles of Association

Statutory section "Evaluation" pursuant to UG 2002 § 19 para. 2 Z3

(published in the newsletter of 15 June 2011, 30th edition, no. 480)

Information on the Bologna Process

The Bologna Process is the instrument for implementing a European Higher Education Area. From an Austrian perspective, this process drives the Europeanisation and internationalisation of the tertiary education sector and strengthens competitiveness.

The fundamental reform process was initiated with the signing of the Bologna Declaration in May 1999 by government representatives from 29 European countries.

Further information can be found at here.

Recognitions

Experience with mobility programmes has shown that transparent and fair recognition of learning experiences is a key criterion for the attractiveness of European universities and can be a driving force for the further development of a common European Higher Education Area.

The idea of a common higher education area was discussed as early as 1988 in the context of Magna Charta of the universities. In 1997, the idea of a common European study area was expressed in the "Lisbon Convention" or "Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (Council of Europe / UNESCO 1997)". However, this idea only got rolling with the "Bologna Process" (cf. Bologna Declaration 1999 ).

Recognition of examinations

Pursuant to § 78 para. 1 UG (Universities Act 2002), positively assessed examinations taken by regular students at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution, a higher vocational school, a higher institution for teacher and educator training, in studies at recognised domestic educational institutions whose admission requires a general university entrance qualification, or in a course of a university nature, as well as positively assessed examinations in artistic and artistic-scientific subjects taken by regular students at music grammar schools or music grammar schools, are to be recognised by decision upon application by the person responsible for study law matters , provided that they are equivalent to the examinations prescribed in the curriculum. at music grammar schools or music grammar schools shall be recognised by the competent authority for study law matters responsible body upon application by the regular student, provided that they are equivalent to the examinations prescribed in the curriculum. Examinations taken for a subject at a domestic university or at a university of the European Union or the European Economic Area shall in any case be recognised for the same subject in further studies of the same degree programme at another domestic university if the ECTS credits are the same or differ only slightly. Such recognition can be generally stipulated in the curriculum. The recognition of examinations taken at another university contrary to the provisions of § 63 para. 8 and 9 UG is excluded.

Pursuant to § 78 para. 2 UG, examinations taken at Austrian conservatoires with public access rights are to be recognised upon application by the regular student, provided that they are equivalent to the examinations prescribed in the curriculum. Such recognition can be generally stipulated in the curriculum.

Procedure for the recognition of examinations (examination centres)

Pursuant to § 78 para. 5 UG, upon application by regular students who wish to complete parts of their degree programme abroad, an official decision must be issued to determine which of the planned examinations are equivalent to the examinations prescribed in the curriculum. The documents required for the assessment must be submitted by the applicant.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning

The legal regulation of higher education access in Austria requires a formal qualification (Matura).

For prospective students without Matura, the options of Vocational school-leaving examination and the university entrance qualification examination have been created, both of which can be seen as recognition of prior learning.

Berufsreifeprüfung

The Berufsreifeprüfung is regarded as equivalent to the Matura; this means that passing the Berufsreifeprüfung entitles the holder to study at Austrian universities and universities of applied sciences.

Federal Act on the Vocational Aptitude Test

University entrance qualification examination

Prospective students who are at least 20 years old and who can prove that they have clearly completed a successful vocational or extra-occupational qualification for the desired degree programme beyond the fulfilment of compulsory schooling can gain access to this degree programme. In addition to an essay on a general subject, prospective students must pass three further subject-related examinations that are related to their intended degree programme at the university. Positive completion of the university entrance qualification examination therefore means a "limited" university entrance qualification.

Information page university entrance qualification examination

Recognition of non-formal and / or informally acquired learning experiences

The university's options for recognising non-formally and/or informally acquired learning experiences are severely limited.

Supplementary examination

Supplementary examinations are examinations to obtain the general university entrance qualification or to prove knowledge of the German language or physical and motor aptitude.

Example of a supplementary test for sports motor aptitude

Scientific activities

Recognition of academic activities in companies or non-university research institutions that can provide academic professional training is possible in accordance with § 78 Para. 4 UG.

University further education

In the area of continuing education (non-degree programmes) at the university, recognition of non-formal and / or informally acquired learning experience (e.g. relevant professional experience) can be stipulated as part of the admission requirements.

University continuing education

There is currently no legal basis for the university to recognise other non-formal and / or informally acquired learning experiences.

Permeability

Within the (national) tertiary education sector, the (vertical) "permeability" of the individual (tertiary education) sectors is essentially dependent on the criteria used to assess equivalence and subject-related aptitude and their evaluation. The Rector's Office, at the University of Innsbruck specifically the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Students as the responsible member of the Rectorate, is responsible for admission to degree programmes. He or she appoints suitable persons (usually deans of studies or study representatives) to check the legal requirements. The department responsible is Study department.

In addition to official certificates (proof of general university entrance qualification, proof of the academic degree obtained), the following (transparency) instruments of the Bologna Process are also used for verification:

• Diploma Supplement(incl. transcript of records)
  • List of ECTS credits
  • Formulation of learning outcomes

Legal basis, legal framework

Proof of general university entrance qualification for admission to doctoral programmes (Workflow)

Pursuant to § 64 para. 4 UG (Universities Act 2002), proof of general university entrance qualification for admission to doctoral studies shall in any case be deemed to have been provided by proof of completion of a relevant diploma or master's degree programme, a relevant university of applied sciences diploma programme or university of applied sciences master's degree programme pursuant to § 5 para. 3 of the Universities of Applied Sciences Studies Act, or another equivalent programme at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution.

If the equivalence is basically given and only individual supplements to the full equivalence are missing, the Rectorate is authorised to combine the determination of equivalence with the requirement of examinations.

Proof of general university entrance qualification for admission to Master's programmes (Workflow)

According to § 64 para. 5 UG, admission to a Master's degree programme requires the completion of a relevant Bachelor's degree programme or a relevant Bachelor's degree programme at a university of applied sciences or another equivalent degree programme at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution. If the equivalence is basically given and only individual supplements to the full equivalence are missing, the Rectorate is authorised to combine the determination of equivalence with the requirement of examinations to be taken during the respective Master's degree programme.

Proof of the general university entrance qualification is deemed to have been provided by proof of this admission requirement.

Data protection

The Data Protection Coordinator of the University of Innsbruck is the primary contact person for all data protection issues for all university members and organisational units (IT security is the responsibility of the Central IT Service or the IT Security Officer). She is responsible for maintaining the data processing register and central data protection management at the University of Innsbruck.

Information and templates on data protection in teaching can be found at https://www.uibk.ac.at/intranet/datenschutz/

Contact: +43 512 507 20503, +43 512 507 20521, +43 512 507 20522; Datenschutzkoordination@uibk.ac.at

For questions regarding data security, please contact: +43 512 507-23010; Datensicherheit@uibk.ac.at

Newsletter

Each university shall publish a "Newsletter" and make it publicly accessible on the university's website. In particular, the "Newsletter" must publicise

1. Statutes, development plan and organisational plan including staff allocation;

2. opening balance sheet;

3. performance agreement immediately after its conclusion, financial statements and intellectual capital report immediately after their forwarding to the Federal Minister;

4. Regulations and rules of procedure of governing bodies;

5. Guidelines of the governing bodies;

6. curricula;

7. academic degrees to be awarded by the university as well as designations for graduates of university programmes;

8. Notices to students and other announcements of general interest;

9. Announcement and results of elections;

10. Advertisement of positions and management functions;

11. Members of the governing bodies;

12. Granting of teaching authorisations;

13. authorisations and authorisations granted;

14. (Note: No. 14 cancelled by Art. 1 No. 4, BGBl. I No. 177/2021)

15. Remuneration for members of the university council.

Legal basis: Universities Act 2002 as amended, § 20 para. 6

Company agreements in the area of teaching

A company agreement on the formation of course categories (BV-LVK) came into force at the same time as the collective agreement on 1 October 2009. Based on the workload associated with the courses, a specific working time factor is assigned in the BV-LVK. The course category is decisive, among other things, for the applicable remuneration rate and for the crediting of teaching activities to the teaching obligations of permanent academic staff. The currently valid works agreement can be found at here.

Information on other works agreements for academic staff