International Centre
The FERNFH International Centre strengthens international perspectives in study, teaching and research. We promote intercultural competence, academic mobility and cross-border collaboration.
Our goal: to give students, lecturers and staff access to international perspectives and encounters. We do this by supporting international projects and building partnerships across borders.
As a university that stands for open-minded, digital and socially just education, we are committed to making international experiences accessible to everyone regardless of background, place of residence or mobility. It is particularly important to us to open up access for those who are often excluded from international opportunities.
That is why we support our community on the path to active international participation and to an outlook as reflective, future-oriented global citizens.
Our four pillars of internationalisation
As FERNFH specialises in hybrid distance learning, it deliberately offers low-threshold formats of internationalisation that are limited in time, supported online or partly virtual.
This makes internationalisation accessible even to those who cannot take part in traditional mobility abroad for family, professional or financial reasons.
Global outlook in our degree programmes
International aspects are embedded in our degree programmes – for example through internationally oriented course contents and the practical and academic perspectives of our internationally active lecturers. The culturally diverse perspectives of our students also play a part.
Intercultural study environment
Diversity and cultural variety are important values at FERNFH. Our community lives interculturality through openness, respect and appreciative collaboration. Around 10% of our students are international, coming from countries such as Italy, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany and Poland.
International networking
FERNFH cooperates with international partner institutions and is expanding this network. It opens doors to joint projects, cooperation formats and new perspectives.
Mobility for everyone
Be it a stay abroad, an online programme or a hybrid format, FERNFH students, lecturers and staff also have the opportunity to gain international experience – flexibly and individually.
Outgoing
International experience – broadening horizons
We enable our students, lecturers and staff to learn, teach and work across national borders. Outgoing mobility offers the chance to discover new cultural and academic perspectives, build international networks and grow both professionally and personally.
Erasmus+
If you are one of the FERNFH students and would like to go abroad with Erasmus+, you will find all the information in the International Centre on the Online Campus.
Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences (FFHS)
Broaden your horizons and gain international study experience – flexibly and with a practical focus.
Thanks to the partnership between FERNFH and the Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences (FFHS) , students on selected bachelor degree programmes can complete an exchange semester as part of a blended mobility.
You can find more information in the International Centre on the Online Campus.
Freemover
If you would like to go abroad as a freemover, we highly recommend the website www.wearefreemovers.com.
There you will find plenty of information, from A for Application to S for Scholarships and Support. Maybe your dream destination or university is among them?
Scholarships
The Department for International Cooperation in Higher Education and the National Agency Erasmus+ Education at OeAD administer a number of outgoing scholarship programmes.
Bachelor
Master
- Action Austria–Slovakia (Outgoing)
- Action Austria–Czech Republic (Outgoing) (German only)
- Action Austria–Hungary (Outgoing)
- Scholarships for a research stay at Taiwanese universities (diploma and master’s students) (German only)
Postgraduates, PhD students and postdocs
Latest information
You can find announcements, calls, scholarships and summer/winter schools in the “International Centre” course on the Online Campus.
Go to the course: International Centre | OC (guest access to the Online Campus is also possible)
Incoming
Welcome to FERNFH – where internationalisation is lived digitally and inclusively
As a university with an innovative blended learning model, we warmly welcome international students, lecturers and staff. Incomings enrich our learning and working culture with new perspectives, diverse experiences and intercultural exchange.
Application
To apply to take individual courses as part of a mobility programme or virtual exchange programme, or as a freemover, please contact the International Centre at ic@fernfh.ac.at
Application deadline
- The application deadline for courses in the autumn semester is 30 June
- The application deadline for courses in the spring semester is 30 November
Entry and residence in Austria
Please check under Entry and residence (German only) whether you need a visa or other residence documents to enter and stay in Austria.
Erasmus+
You can find all the information on Erasmus+ in the Erasmus+ section.
Ernst Mach Grant
Ernst Mach Grant – worldwide
This grant programme is aimed at young researchers and university lecturers of all disciplines who study or conduct research outside Austria and would like to carry out a research project in Austria.
- Target group: Young researchers of all disciplines who study or conduct research outside Austria
- Duration: 1 to 9 months
- Maximum age: 35 years
- Application deadline: Online applications possible from October until 1 February of the following year
- Please note: Courses at FERNFH are generally taught in German.
Further information
FAQ Ernst Mach Grant – worldwide
Ernst Mach Grant for study at an Austrian University of Applied Sciences
This grant programme is aimed at undergraduates and graduates (bachelor and master students) of universities outside Europe who would like to spend a study period at an Austrian University of Applied Sciences.
- Target group: Undergraduates and graduates (bachelor and master students) studying at a university outside Europe
- Host institution: all Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences (see http://www.fachhochschulen.ac.at/)
- Duration: 4 to 10 months
- Maximum age: 35 years
- Application deadline: Online applications possible from October until 1 February of the following year
Further information
FAQ Ernst Mach Grant for Universities of Applied SciencesFFHS
If you are one of the FFHS students and would like to spend an exchange semester at FERNFH, please first contact the person responsible for mobility at FFHS. We look forward to welcoming you soon!
Freemover
You can find more information on Freemover@FERNFH here.
Getting to the Wiener Neustadt campus by public transport
The FERNFH in Wiener Neustadt is easy to reach by train from all major cities and airports in the region. From the railway station it is about a 350-metre walk (4 min). You can find more information on our travel information page (German only).
Language skills
Courses at the FERNFH are generally taught in German. A sufficient understanding of German is therefore required to take part in a degree programme or individual courses. If German is not your native language, you can only be admitted to a degree programme or individual courses if you have the appropriate German language skills (level B2 CEFR).
See Common European Framework of Reference for Language skills | Europass
Or see the “German language” section in the International Centre on the Online Campus.
Here is where you can improve your German skills:
- We recommend the German courses at the University of Vienna’s Language Centre. Many participants use German courses to prepare for their studies at an Austrian university or apply their newly acquired skills in a professional context. Most courses are offered online or offline as on-campus courses. Deutschkurse an der Universität Wien | Sprachenzentrum Uni Wien
- The best part: FERNFH students receive a 25% discount on the course fee! You can find more information here: sprachenzentrum.univie.ac.at
- Or you can attend an in-person course in Wiener Neustadt at the VHS Wiener Neustadt adult education centre – see Kurse – VHS Wiener Neustadt.
- The language portal “Mein Sprachportal” of the Austrian Integration Fund offers German learning programmes and is available in ten languages: German, English, French, Turkish, Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian, Hungarian, Romanian, Polish, Arabic and Dari/Farsi. It also provides an overview of German courses and certified German language institutes in Austria and abroad. The portal also offers online exercises and materials for children learning German, as well as free live training sessions. Sprachportal | Deutsch lernen – Sprachportal
In addition, the International Centre is happy to help you find other language courses outside the university – just send an e-mail to ic@fernfh.ac.at.
Course catalogue
Here (PDF, German only) you can find our course catalogue with useful information and all courses offered at FERNFH.
Connecting with the international community at the FERNFH
If you would like to improve your German and connect with other students whose first language is not German, you are welcome to join the following course on the Online Campus: Course: International Centre | OC.
Admission requirements
- For admission to a complete degree programme of a study cycle (bachelor, master), you can find the admission requirements under Admission requirements – FERNFH (German only).
- To take individual courses as part of a partial study period / mobility programme, you must be enrolled in a degree programme of the same study cycle at your home institution and have a learning agreement for credit mobility.
Freemover@FERNFH
Study for a term at FERNFH
Freemover@FERNFH gives international students – especially those studying alongside work or with caring responsibilities – who would like to or need to spend a term abroad the opportunity to gain experience with us and continue their studies without having to relocate for an entire term or year.
A cooperation agreement between your home university and FERNFH is not required.
Application
Please send enquiries and applications directly to the FERNFH International Centre by e-mail at ic@fernfh.ac.at.
After consultation with you and the relevant degree programme(s), you will receive a Letter of Acceptance. It lists the courses you have chosen, the term in which you will complete them and the ECTS credits you will earn.
You then send FERNFH a Learning Agreement signed by you and your home university (confirmation from your home university that the courses completed at FERNFH will be credited and recognised).
Student and academic services will then enrol you as a freemover, and you will receive your terms and conditions of enrolment for freemovers.
Required documents:
- Passport photo
- Proof of matriculation at a higher education institution
- Proof of your highest completed qualification
- Passport
Application deadlines
The application deadline for the autumn semester is 30 June and for the spring semester it is 30 November.
ECTS credits & assessment
All courses at FERNFH are assigned ECTS credits. 1 ECTS credit represents approximately 25 actual hours of student workload. The workload of one academic year is set at 60 ECTS credits, and that of one term at 30 ECTS.
Assessment is based on a grading system from 1 to 5, where
- outstanding performance is graded 1 (excellent),
- generally good performance 2 (good),
- balanced performance with some significant errors 3 (satisfactory),
- performance that just meets the minimum requirements 4 (sufficient), and
- inadequate performance 5 (insufficient); this requires the work to be repeated (by a resit or, where applicable, a repetition of a study year).
Entry and residence
Please check under Entry and residence (German only) whether you need a visa or other residence documents to enter and stay in Austria.
Freemover tuition fee
The freemover tuition fee is € 400 per term (plus the Austrian Students’ Union fee (ÖH)).
Certificate
Your Transcript of Records will be issued immediately after you complete your “semester abroad”.
On-campus sessions
Whether you as a freemover need to travel to FERNFH for the on-campus sessions is decided by the relevant programme director(s).
Language
All courses at FERNFH are taught in German. If German is not your first language, you can only be admitted if you have an appropriate command of German (level B2). You can find more information here.
Course catalogue
Here (PDF, German only) you can find our course catalogue with useful information and all courses offered at FERNFH.
Erasmus+
FERNFH does not regard its intercultural and international orientation as an “add-on”, but as an integral part of its social responsibility towards its students and staff. Active participation and networking in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) are key elements of our strategic objectives.
In this context, the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) opens up new doors and opportunities in tertiary education and is the basis for participation in the Erasmus+ programme.
The European Policy Statement (EPS) describes the Erasmus+ strategy, objectives and impact at FERNFH.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or OeAD-GmbH. Neither the European Union nor OeAD-GmbH can be held responsible for them.
Incoming
To take part at FERNFH as one of our incoming Erasmus+ students, a cooperation agreement must exist between your home university and FERNFH. Please check with the International Office at your home university.
Application
As a rule, you apply to your home institution, which then nominates you for the FERNFH.
Once you have been successfully nominated by your home institution and accepted by the FERNFH, you can send your application documents by e-mail to the International Centre (ic@fernfh.ac.at).
Application deadline
For the autumn semester: 31 May.
For the spring semester: 30 November.
Application documents
- Current transcript of records
- Passport photo
- Letter of motivation
- Proof of highest completed qualification
Entry and residence
Please check under Entry and residence (German only) whether you need a visa or other residence documents to enter and stay in Austria.
Learning Agreement
The courses you plan to take must be approved by your home institution and the agreement must be signed by you, your home institution and the International Office.
Courses
Here (PDF, German only) you can find our course catalogue with useful information and all the courses offered at the FERNFH.
On-campus sessions
You can find the dates of the on-campus sessions on the respective degree programme pages of our website.
Language
All courses at the FERNFH are taught in German. If German is not your native language, you can only be admitted if you have the appropriate German language skills (level B2). You can find more information here.
Outgoing
If you are one of the FERNFH students and would like to go abroad with Erasmus+, you will find all the information in the International Centre on the Online Campus.
EADTU
The FERNFH is a member of the European Association of Distance Teaching Universities, the leading institutional network for open, digital and distance higher education. Its members include the Open Universities across Europe (UK, NL, …), the FernUniversität in Hagen and the Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences (FFHS).
Through its collaboration within the EADTU, the FERNFH strengthens international exchange in teaching, research and higher education development. The focus is on innovative educational offerings, flexible access to higher education and the promotion of equal opportunities and cross-border cooperation in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
Contact
If you have any further questions, you are always welcome to contact the FERNFH International Centre at ic@fernfh.ac.at.
