At a time when discrimination and unequal treatment are still a reality in many areas of life, we are committed to creating an open and respectful learning environment. Diversity should not just be a buzzword; it should be reflected in our structures, our communication skills and the way we work together every day. As a Distance-Learning University of Applied Sciences with a strong focus on work–life–study balance and equal opportunities, we see it as our task to break down barriers and give visibility to different life realities.
Structures for diversity in practice
With the equality, gender & diversity committee (GG&D), FERNFH has a central platform that works continuously for equal opportunities and an inclusive university culture. Our goal is to create spaces in which all members of the university feel safe, seen and heard. We encourage dialogue and keep developing what we offer – together with students, lecturers and staff.
Get involved and make a difference
Diversity thrives on participation. Students, lecturers, graduates and staff are invited to get actively involved, share ideas and help shape projects. Whether feedback, suggestions or critical comments – every form of engagement is welcome and helps make our university even more inclusive.
FERNFH’s flexible, digital study model offers many advantages, especially for people with different life circumstances. At the same time, we are working to encourage encounters, networking and visibility in the virtual space too.
Our path to the future
Our goal is a university where diversity, inclusion and equal rights are a natural part of everyday life – at all levels and in all areas. We see diversity as a strength and as an essential part of future-oriented university development.
Our goals
Our equality, gender & diversity committee
The people behind GG&D
The GG&D team is made up of dedicated colleagues and students from a range of departments:
Committee chairs:
- Astrid Braun, sie/she, Chair
- Nicole König, sie/she, Chair
Committee members:
- Tanja Adamcik, sie/she | Programme director
- Michaela Hofer, sie/she | Quality management
- Peter Luckmann, er/he | Students’ union (ÖH)
- Johannes Miklos, er/he | Teaching and research staff
- Martina Mokricky, sie/she | Human Resource Management
- Barbara Prazak-Aram, sie/she | Programme director
- Reinhard Staudinger, er/he | Instructional Systems Design
- Tanja Stopfer, sie/she | Students’ union (ÖH)
- Timna Tonn, sie/she | Marketing and Communication Skills
- Sabine Zöchling, sie/she | Alumna
What we have achieved
The GG&D committee has already put a number of important things in motion:
- Equality firmly anchored in FERNFH’s statutes and mission statement
- Introduction of gender-neutral toilets on the FERNFH campus
- Third gender option and gender-neutral forms of address during application and throughout your studies
- Ongoing efforts to make our website and our online campus accessible
- Internal awareness formats & talks
- Development and use of guidelines on gender-inclusive language & diversity-sensitive teaching
- Anonymous reporting box for comments, complaints and suggestions for improvement regarding diversity and equality
- Certifications and measures for a family-friendly university & employer
Together, we are shaping a university where openness, respect and equal opportunities are lived every day.
A university for everyone
Studying without a secondary school-leaving certificate
Find out more about how we make higher education more accessible.At FERNFH, it’s not just your school qualifications that count, but also your experience and motivation. This is how we open up higher education to people with diverse life paths – an important contribution to equality and equal opportunities.
Find out more about studying without a secondary school-leaving certificate at FERNFH (German only).
Studying with a family
We are committed to making family and studies go hand in hand. Find out how here.Balancing studies and family is a particular challenge. FERNFH is committed to fair study conditions, regardless of your life situation or care responsibilities.
This is also reflected in our “family-friendly university” certification. Many measures have been implemented as part of it.
Find out more about “University & Family” at FERNFH.
Our FERNFH family room
During on-campus sessions at the Wiener Neustadt campus, our family room is open to you: a private space for breastfeeding or feeding, with toys and drawing materials for older children, which our students or their carers can use. This is how we create space so that education and family remain compatible.
Accessible studying
Your right to higher education matters! With individual solutions, we make your studies accessible and possible.At FERNFH, we are committed to making sure you can study at any time, whatever your individual circumstances and needs.
Accessible studying
Our campus in Wiener Neustadt, all lecture rooms and our accessible toilets are designed to be open and accessible to all students.
We also support you personally – whether during the entrance procedure, with exam arrangements (in consultation with the programme director) or with any other challenges that affect your studies.
Access to higher education
We know that different educational paths need different ways in. That is why, in addition to qualification courses in English and mathematics, we also offer the preparatory course “Jump into Accounting”. This course helps you overcome any uncertainties about accounting and start your studies with confidence – available at any time and open to everyone.
Your path to studying is our focus. With targeted support and accessible routes into higher education, we make sure you can pursue your degree without detours.
We have also gathered more information on accessible studying at FERNFH (German only) for you here.
School Pupils at University
FERNFH is part of the Austria-wide initiative that gives school pupils access to higher education.Since April 2025, FERNFH has been part of the Austria-wide initiative “Schüler*innen an die Hochschule” (School Pupils at University)!
Running for more than 20 years, this initiative enables highly gifted, motivated and curious pupils to gain their first experience of higher education while still at school: they can attend courses and take exams – in short, study.
Taking part sends a strong message and fits perfectly with FERNFH’s values: academic education, breaking down barriers to education, diversity, and our aim to be an institution for lifelong learning. The initiative also specifically supports the promotion of excellence and potential.
More information:
- About the initiative: Schüler*innen an die Hochschulen – OeAD website
- FERNFH as part of the initiative: Lower Austria – FERNFH
