Legal provisions
Laws and regulations
What do I need to know about the University Act of 2002?
Part II of the University Act contains the legal requirements pertaining to higher education institutions:
- Chapter 1 (§§ 51-53): General provisions
- Chapter 2 (§§ 54-58): Degree programmes
- Chapter 3 (§§ 59-71): Students
- Chapter 4 (§§ 72-79): Examinations
- Chapter 5 (§§ 80-86): Bachelor's papers, Diploma, Master’s and Doctoral theses
- Chapter 6 (§§ 87-89): Academic degrees
- Chapter 7 (§ 90): Nostrification (granting recognition to foreign degrees)
- Chapter 8 (§§ 91-92): Tuition fees
- Chapter 9 (§ 93): Special provisions
What should I know about grants, other measures for financial support as well as about tuition fees?
- The "Studienförderungsgesetz" (German language only) of 1992 regulates the rights of Austrian students – as well as of foreign or stateless students who have been given parity – concerning student grants, fees, financial support, scholarships, etc.
- The "Studienbeitragsverordnung" (German language only) of 2004 regulates the collection of student fees (and, along with this, the charges to be made according to HSG 1998) as well as the exemption and reimbursement of student fees.
- You can also find brief information about these topics here.
What are the other laws and regulations concerning my studies that I might be interested in?
- Overview of the Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research
Particularly:
- "Hochschülerinnen- und Hochschülerschaftsgesetz" (German language only)
- "Hochschülerinnen- und Hochschülerschaftswahlordnung" (German language only)
Regulations of KUG
Where can I find the main legal regulations of KUG?
According to the University Act of 2002, every university issues the necessary rules of law through decree (statute) in the framework of the given laws and regulations.
> KUG statute ("Satzung", German language only)
Provisions of study law according to the provisions of Part II of the University Act of 2002 in Chapter 3 "Study law" beginning on page 16 (§§ 40-78 of the KUG statute).
What are the laws governing my studies?
All the regulations for individual studies are stipulated in the curricula. You will also find there the achievement goals and the timetables. From these, you can determine which courses it is recommended you should take each semester.
In the overview of the fields of study, you will find the curricula and, in separate categories, the achievement goals and the timetable.
What are the regulations concerning the advancement of women and gender equality?
> Advancement plan for Women ("Frauenförderungsplan", German language only)
> Advancement plan for Gender Equality ("Gleichstellungsplan", German language only)
> Guideline "Gender-inclusive wording in printed materials at KUG" (Leitfaden "Geschlechtergerechtes Schreiben an der KUG", German language only)
> Guideline for dealing with sexual harassment and sexualised violence ("Richtlinie zum Umgang mit sexueller Belästigung und sexualisierter Gewalt", German language only)
Further Information
Who is authorized to make decisions concerning student matters?
> Vice Rector for Academic and International Affairs (Contact via the office Vice Rector for Academic and International Affairs)
> Dean of Studies (Contact via the Office Manager)
The duties and responsibilities of the Dean of Studies are stipulated in the KUG statute ("Satzung", German language only!), third paragraph "Study law" beginning on page 16 (§§ 40-45).
In what organizations/boards are students represented? How can I participate in such student organizations?
According to the University Act of 2002 and the KUG regulations, the following permanent organizations/boards represent the interests of students at KUG:
- Senate
- Curricula committees / working groups ("Curriculakommissionen")
- Working Committee on Equal Opportunities ("Arbeitskreis für Gleichbehandlungsfragen")
In addition, student representatives are active on Habilitation and Appeal committees, serving each time for as long as the individual proceeding lasts.
In all cases, the nomination and deployment is made to KUG through the ÖH-KUG.
How can I as a student be actively involved in student affairs?
The best way is to work together with the Austrian Student Union (ÖH-KUG) at KUG – in the students council, in specialist departmentes, as a tutor and adviser, serving on boards and committees.
Please contact the ÖH-KUG directly for further information.
Any questions or comments? This page is edited by the Welcome Center of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz.