WP 2. Modernization of PhD regulation at UP University of "G. D'Annunzio" Study visit & workshop

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

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

3. Private Universities 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 3

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 4

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 ….. 5

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. 6

7. Regulations for university studies • University issues own regulations, but based on the University Law 2002. • 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) 7

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 8

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. 9

10. ECTS points • 1500 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. 10

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). 11

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. 12