University for Continuing Education Krems

The University for Continuing Education Krems (UWK) is the leading public university for continuing education in Europe and the only public university for continuing education in the German-speaking world. Founded in 1994 and situated on Campus Krems at the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau region in Lower Austria, UWK specialises in higher qualification for working professionals. Approximately 7,500 students are currently enrolled, and over 33,000 alumni have successfully completed their studies. The university offers bachelor's programs (180 ECTS), master's programs (MBA, LL.M., MA, MSc, MEng, MPr), PhD programs and short programs (Micro-Credential, Certificate, and Academic Expert Programs) — all designed as part-time, blended or distance-learning formats. Programs are stackable, allowing short program credits to count toward a later bachelor's or master's degree. Since 2021, continuing education degrees are legally equivalent to standard university degrees under the Bologna system. The university conducts transdisciplinary research on societal challenges and holds the AQ Austria quality seal as well as the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education. It operates under a performance agreement (Leistungsvereinbarung 2025–2027) with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research.