ÖPUK

The ÖPUK is the representative body of Austrian private universities and represents their concerns vis-à-vis the legislator, the public, the media and other important stakeholders. It is a founding member of the European Union of Private Higher Education (EUPHE), an association of European private universities that campaigns for more decision-making powers and uniform access criteria for private universities in Europe and represents these issues in the European Parliament.


History of Private Universities
The first private universities in Austria were founded about 20 years ago. Today, with 17 private universities, the sector complements the Austrian higher education sector and contributes significantly to its diversification. It offers market- and demand-oriented education in innovative fields. The continuous internal and external evaluation of teaching and research by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria) ensures a quality of education that meets international standards. This opens up a wide range of opportunities for graduates on the (international) labour market.


Range of studies
The 17 Austrian private universities offer a wide range of study opportunities in more than 200 degree programmes, especially in the fields of social and economic sciences, law, medicine, theology, philosophy as well as art and musicology.


Continuous growth
In recent years, Austria's private universities have recorded the highest growth rates within the four higher education sectors. With about 19,000 students, the private higher education sector has a market share of 5%. The private universities contribute significantly to Austria's export of education: At 51%, the share of international students is higher than at universities of applied sciences and public universities. Moreover, the number of students enrolled at private universities has increased by 50% in recent years.