INTERNATIONAL
Internationality: an essential aspect of the University of Klagenfurt
Internationalisation has been an essential trait of universities since their very foundation. The University of Klagenfurt’s geographic location means that internationalisation is of particular significance. Based in a city where three different cultures meet, the university is well-placed to deliver research and teaching on an international level.
Internationalisation is a cross-sectional task that encompasses and must encompass all areas of the university. In the area of teaching, AAU’s internationalisation efforts are primarily aimed at increasing its attractiveness as a place to study for international students, as well as designing study programmes in such a way that they also prepare students for an increasingly international environment and professional world. In addition, AAU wants to support international mobility for students, lecturers and university staff in the best possible way. However, internationality is visible above all in the promotion of young academics, in the appointment policies, in academic publications, projects and cooperations, and in the development of joint projects with partner universities.
Internationalisation also makes staff and students more competitive. Internationalisation and partnerships are the traditional catalysts for good publications and third-party projects.
AAU recognizes cultural diversity and difference among lecturers and students as an opportunity and resource, as well as a starting point for critical academic discourse and a positive teaching and learning experience. With its contributions to internationalisation and inter/transculturality, AAU also sees itself in the region as a significant promoter of an open society and as an active contributor to social change.
The University of Klagenfurt has been participating in the Erasmus(+) Programm since 1995.
The Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) provides the general quality framework for European and international cooperation activities a higher education institution may carry out within Erasmus+. The award of an ECHE is a pre-requisite for all higher education institutions located in a Programme country and willing to participate in learning mobility of individuals and/or cooperation for innovation and good practices under Erasmus+.
International courses offered
The University of Klagenfurt offers courses conducted in English for many degree programmes. A number of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes and several Doctoral programmes are held entirely in English.
The whole world is yours: partner universities of the University of Klagenfurt
Via Erasmus+ and Joint-Study, the University of Klagenfurt currently holds over 380 cooperations with more than 250 universities in 58 countries.
Erasmus+ offers opportunities for subject-specific semesters in individual countries, while for Joint-Study co-operation agreements with the partner universities have been concluded for all study programmes at the University of Klagenfurt.
The University of Klagenfurt is a member of the YERUN network
The University of Klagenfurt joined the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN) in January 2022. The network is formed by successful young universities and actively pursues the goal of strengthening and further developing the areas of research, teaching and services of the participating universities.
Alps-Adriatic Rectors’ Conference
The Alps-Adriatic Rectors’ Conference (AARC) is a union of over 40 universities from the Alps-Adriatic area and has included the Western Balkans since 2011. The objective of the AARC is to promote cooperation between universities and colleges across the region, as well as cooperation in business, arts and future-oriented projects. The University of Klagenfurt took over the presidency of the AARC in 2015 with the aim of inspiring fresh momentum and initiating activities that would strengthen the Alps-Adriatic region.
