Johannes Kepler Universität Linz (JKU)

Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) is a fairly popular higher educational institution in Austria. It is a government institution with a good reputation among international universities. Originally it was an economic college, which began its activity in 1966. However, in 1975 it was granted the status of a higher educational institution, and the institution was named the Johannes Kepler University.

• Around 4,000 employees,
• The largest educational and research institution in Upper Austria.

In 2019, JKU and Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien formed an alliance for creative innovation.

Building on this collaboration, the two universities established the Art x Science School for Transformation in 2023.

Students use KUSSS, the university's study support system, to choose courses and plan their schedules. Course registration is available after admission and activation of the JKU student account. First-year students in bachelor's and diploma programs must complete the introductory StEOP requirements, with the exception of those enrolled in the bachelor's program in Human Medicine. Students in bachelor's and diploma programs must also earn a minimum number of credits during their first four semesters.

Since 2014, JKU has trained physicians through a bachelor's and master's degree structure. Modules focus on individual organs and medical topics. It was the first university in Austria to adopt this approach. In the virtual anatomy course, students use virtual reality headsets to explore human organs and body systems.

Students in Transformation Studies. Art x Science study in Vienna and Linz, using learning spaces and workshops at JKU and Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien. In-person and online classes are combined with project work from the first semester. Students can help shape their studies and choose the topics they focus on.

The Study & Work program helps students gain experience at a company while pursuing their degrees. Students must be in at least their third semester, be actively taking exams, and have successfully completed StEOP. Working hours can be adjusted each semester to fit class schedules. Each participant is assigned a mentor who is not their direct supervisor. Students must earn at least 20 ECTS credits per semester and provide the company with evidence of their academic progress.

The JKU Alumni association offers students and graduates further education, professional networking, and career advice, including help with job searches, application materials, and interviews.

JKU was the first university in Austria to offer programs in computer science and artificial intelligence. According to the university, its mechatronics program was the first in the world.

Following renovation, the Juridicum building received a Gold rating under the klimaaktiv building standard.

The university presents the Kepler Awards annually for science communication. Recipients include:

• The collaborative project Digital Shadows — an award for science communication for the general public,
• Irene Frischauf — an award for science communication for children and young people,
• Johannes Pröll — an award for science communication for children and young people.

• LIT Factory made Frisbees from recycled plastic collected on Campus Auhof, demonstrating how waste can be put to new uses,
• The university keeps around 300,000 bees, and their honey is sold in its merchandise shop,
• The oldest tree on the JKU grounds is more than 100 years old,
• During the Critical Bim project, scientists met with school students aboard a tram traveling through downtown Linz,
• JKU has set a goal of becoming climate neutral by 2030.

JKU helps students find housing. Numerous student residence halls are located near the university.

The university sports institute, USI, offers classes at different intensity levels:

• General conditioning interval training — primarily bodyweight exercises to develop strength, endurance, and mobility,
• Powerworkout — an intensive class that develops strength, endurance, coordination, and mobility. It is generally unsuitable for beginners,
• Soft Acrobatics — a gradual introduction to floor acrobatics, hand balances, backbends, and cartwheels,
• Hatha yoga — physical, breathing, and relaxation exercises for beginners and experienced participants,
• Stretch & Mobility — dynamic and static stretching, joint mobility work, breathing, and relaxation,
• Tabata — a 60-minute workout combining cardio, strength exercises, and stability training,
• Zumba — dance fitness set to Latin American music.

Classes taught in English include exercises for mobility and balance, stretching, and deep muscle strengthening. People with disabilities can discuss options for taking part in inclusive courses with the instructor and, when needed, the sports association OÖBSV.

Welcome Week includes sports classes, university tournaments, Movie Night, the Escape the Hörsaal puzzle challenge, the Mensafest celebration, and Astros Gameday basketball games. Both the women's and men's JKU Astros teams take part.

Scientists and artists share the stage at the university's Zirkus des Wissens.

At the moment the university is on the 5th place in the national ranking, and in the international one - at 609. The specialty "Engineering and technology" is very popular here. The quality of teaching in the university is at a high level. This is due to a large number of foreign specialists. Johannes Kepler University Linz supports about 300 partner contacts with other educational institutions.

The university is famous for its advanced material and technical equipment and its scientific developments. This attracts a large number of foreign entrants from more than 50 countries. Employers of prestigious companies have a great interest in the graduates of the institution.

The main sites of Johannes Kepler University are Campus Auhof and Med Campus in Linz. The university also has locations in Vienna, Bregenz, and Villach.

Campus facilities include:

• LIT Factory, the university's pilot production facility, where students can have their prototypes manufactured,
• Kepler Hall, with a fitness center and sauna. The building hosts sports, cultural, and community events,
• LIT Open Innovation Center, part of the university's support network for startups,
• Teichwerk, a floating café on the pond at Campus Auhof.

The campus has plenty of green space and short distances between faculties and schools. A lake for swimming is just a few minutes away from the lecture halls by bicycle. The university has its own tram stop.

Smapse specialists will guide you through every stage of the admissions process.

Applicants with international educational qualifications who are applying to a bachelor's or diploma program at JKU must submit their own applications. The university does not process submissions from agencies or placement organizations.

The school year is traditionally divided into semesters. The training takes place in German. At the disposal of students there are modern laboratories and auditoriums. In total, there are more than 17,500 pupils (8% of them are foreign citizens) and 880 teachers. Johannes Kepler University Linz conducts training in the degree of bachelor, master, doctor. The language of instruction is German. In total there are 60 different specialties and 4 faculties in the university:

• Faculty of Social Sciences, Economics and Business;
• Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences;
• Faculty of Law;
• Faculty of Medicine.

The cost of training is not more than 2000 USD / year. There is an opportunity to get education remotely. The Johannes Kepler University supports a student exchange program, through which pupils have the opportunity to receive part of the education in another institution. On the basis of this training center there is the Institute of Computational and Applied Mathematics named after Johann Radon.

Scholarships are available through Study & Work. JKU provides information about these scholarships, pays them to students, and monitors recipients' grade point averages.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision