WP 2. Modernization of PhD regulation at UP University of "G. D'Annunzio" Study visit & workshop June 4-8, 2014 Regulatory issues of the PhD-Program in Economics at the JKU Linz joint with U of Innsbruck Johann K. Brunner

2 Institutions of Tertiary Education in Austria Public Universities Colleges of Higher Education (Universities of Applied Sciences) Private Universities

3 Need accreditation by Agency for Quality Assurance (institution and programs) May select students, raise tuition fees Play minor role: some for-profit universities, but majority is in fact run by provincial governments (musical education, arts, …) No federal funding

4 Colleges of higher education (universities of applied sciences) - Established by a specific federal law, own regulations -Provide applied education in various fields (for instance special areas in engeneering or in management, such as tourism) -May select students, accept limited number -Students may switch to MA or even PhD study to public university

5 Universities -Established by federal law (University Law 2002, with several amendments) -Defines types of studies which may be offered, among them doctoral studies. -Universities acts as official authorities for these studies. -This explains why the law includes rather tight regulations of several details, like types and length of studies, number of repetitions of exams, regulations for part-time students …..

6 Universities cont. -Not allowed to select students, except in some fields like medicine, psychology, management, … -No compulsory accreditation of institutions or programs, but have to follow University Law. -Autonomy with respect to organization and hiring. -Federal funding for 3-years period (plus private money for specific projects). Contract with the Ministry of Higher Education defines projects of the universities.

7 Regulations for university studies -University issues own regulations, but based on the University Law JKU regulations include 48 paragraphs. -Define types of courses, of exams, details concerning master thesis …. -By law: three chances for final exam must be offered to students. Students may try repeatedly (up to 5 times) in all programs. -JKU has established committee to oversee programs (no external accreditation)

8 Establishment of studies at a university -Reactorate makers principal decision -Senate establishes study commission for each field -Professors -Assistants and assistant professors -Students with equal rights to vote on all matters of the curriculum Vice rector and administration check resource requirements

9 Admission of students -No selection of students, but must fulfill general requirements. -No tution fee for EU-citizens who finish within appropriate time. -Otherwise 363,36 Euro per semester.

10 ECTS points effective working hours per year. -Typical study requires 60 points per year, so one point comes down to 25 effective working hours. -PhD-programs are required to at least 3 years = 180 points.

11 Joint PhD program in Economics Linz - Innsbruck -Admission requirement: Diploma or master study at JKU or U. of Innsbruck or comparable study. -Courses are mostly "lectures with exercises" (specific type of course). Exams may be oral or written (typically written). - Grades result from solution of exercises (could be longer paper) and – for the main part – from one or two written exams).

12 Dissertation -Dissertation is supervised by a professor at JKU or U. of Innsbruck. -Committee for final defense consists of three professors, one of them from the respective other or from a foreign university.