Since 1998, the Kunstuniversitätengesetz grants university status to the six art colleges (Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and three in Vienna) for programmes like music, design, drama, dance, visual arts, painting, sculpture or architecture.
| University | Focal Points | Students 2018 | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien / Academy of Fine Arts Vienna | painting, sculpture, photography, video, performance. conceptual art, architecture, scenography and conservation/restoration | 1 450 | 964 | 486 |
| Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien / University of Applied Arts Vienna | architecture, arts sciences and education, conservation and restoration, design, fine arts and media art, language arts | 1 575 | 1 003 | 572 |
| Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien / University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna | musical and instrumental studies, composition, music therapy, ethnomusicology, acting, performing, drama directing, film (directing, editing, production) | 2 493 | 1 357 | 1 136 |
| Kunstuniversität Graz / University of Music and Performing Arts Graz | musical and instrumental studies, performing arts (acting, directing) | 1 923 | 875 | 1 048 |
| Universität für künstlerische und industrielle Gestaltung Linz / University of Art and Design Linz | 1 297 | 845 | 452 | |
| Universität Mozarteum Salzburg | 1 651 | 1 028 | 623 |
Source: Official university records, on the respective reporting date: BMBWF Dept. IV/10
The first Austrian Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences) for multimedia and design opened its doors to students in 1994. In 2004, the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz (formerly Bruckner-Konservatorium) for music, performing arts and dance was established. In 2005, the Vienna Konservatorium also received the status of a private university.
Further universities of applied sciences with artistic training courses are Kufstein University of Applied Sciences and the St Pölten University of Applied Sciences. Most of the artistic courses are diploma courses leading to the Magister artium (Mag.art.) degree, but there are also some bachelor’s and master’s courses.
Degree courses in the visual and applied arts are structured on the basis of a basic course or orientation phase (BA) and a main course or qualification phase (MA). The basic studies are completed with an intermediate diploma and the main studies with a diploma. The emphasis is on practical artistic work as proof of achievement.
Most music and instrumental courses are also divided into two sections, with the first section (eight semesters) being completed with the first diploma examination, the second section (four semesters) with the second diploma examination and the academic degree Magister artium / Magistra artium. Different profiles in the second section offer targeted preparation for a specific occupational field. Many instrumental studies can be completed with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree.
The fields of study are highly diversified: in addition to the classical branches one can also study aesthetics, art history, art therapy, media art, graphic design or stage design. Further courses are musicology, music management, music education or music therapy, and teacher training studies with artistic subjects.
Comments are closed.