Austria: Karl-Franzens Universität, Graz

Karl-Franzens Universität was founded in 1585 and is one of the oldest universities in Central Europe. Graz is the second largest city in Austria with a population of around 250, 000 and is nestled at the foothills of the Alps. The name Graz is Slavic and means small castle or fortification. Graz is a beautiful city with a thriving cultural, commercial and educational community. It is also the capital of the province Styria which lies in the southeast of Austria and is referred to as the "green heart of Austria".

Academic Program Description

Karl-Franzens Universität has six faculties (Social and Economic Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Law, and Catholic Theology) and one of the largest teaching hospitals in the world. There are over 35,000 students, with approximately 2,400 international students from over 100 different countries.

Academic Year Schedule

The academic year runs from October to the end of June, i.e. 10 months. There is an Intensive German Course three weeks prior to the beginning of the semester.

Summer Semester:	early March-late June
Suggested arrival date:	late February
Exams:	last week of June
Winter Semester:	early October-late January
Suggested arrival date:	late September
Exams:	last week of January

To find updated course dates please refer to: http://www.uni-graz.at/zvwww/studienjahr.pdf

Intensive German Language Courses

For an additional fee, intensive German language courses are offered three weeks prior to the beginning of each semester, in September and February of each year. Students attend 15-20 hours of classes each week.

Housing

The Office of International Relations will assist exchanges students in finding accommodation in single or double occupancy furnished student dorms, with internet connections. Off-campus housing is also available.

Eligibility Requirements

• Minimum 2.5 GPA with completion of at least 30 credits at WWU by the beginning of the exchange
• The language recommendation for the Graz exchange is two years of college German Students with less previous knowledge of German will be accepted but they will have to spend the first semester improving their language skills
• Application approval by the IPE committee

Application Procedure

• Complete Karl-Franzens Universität, Graz (KFUG) application form and submit along with copies of academic transcripts, one academic reference, accommodation form, and one recent passport-size photo
• Complete International Programs & Exchanges Study Abroad/Exchange Application and submit with a statement of purpose
• Pay IPE application deposit
• The committee will approve the application before the nomination is forwarded
• Once accepted, a letter of acceptance is sent to the student

Karl-Franzens Universität, Graz main website: http://www.kfunigraz.ac.at or http://www.uni-graz.at/studium/stud5.html

Course lists on the web: http://lv-online.uni-graz.at/puba/start/lv-online-en.html

Direct Exchange Priority Deadlines:

• Fall quarter/Academic Year: March 1st*
• Winter/Spring quarters: June 1st*
• Late applications considered on a case by case basis.
• * If the deadline occurs on a weekend, applications will be accepted on the following Monday.