New Elective Module in the IBA Curriculum

Introduction of the new Mandatory Subject Elective Area: Business, Economics and Digitalization

Starting in winter semester 2025/26, the BSc International Business Administration (IBA) program will include a new mandatory module: Mandatory Subject Elective Area: Business, Economics and Digitalization (24 ECTS). This change makes it significantly easier to transfer credits from your semester abroad.

According to the curriculum (§5 (8)), the following courses may be credited toward this module:

• Courses in Business, Economics or Digitalization completed abroad
• Courses listed in the Subject Elective Area section of the JKU study handbook

🔗 Curriculum text (§5 (8))
🔗 Courses in the Subject Elective Area (from 2025W)

Changes in existing mandatory subjects

Some courses were moved from other mandatory subjects into the new module. This has reduced the ECTS load of the following subjects:

– International Finance, Accounting and Taxation: now 24 ECTS
– International Management and Marketing: now 24 ECTS
– Digitalization and Supply Chain Management: now 24 ECTS
– Economics: now 18 ECTS

Subject-based recognition instead of course-based recognition

The key improvement:
You no longer need to transfer credits on a course-by-course basis. If your courses abroad fall within Business, Economics or Digitalization, they can be recognized as a complete module.
Of course, course-based recognition is still possible if needed.

Free Electives remain unchanged

The Free Electives (18 ECTS) are still available. They are especially useful for recognizing courses taken abroad outside the three core areas – for example, in language, culture, or law.

Curriculum Changes: Academic Writing & Elective Modules

Academic Writing – new structure

For students writing their bachelor’s thesis in Volkswirtschaftslehre (VWL) or Wirtschaftspsychologie (WiPsy), the SE Bachelorarbeit will carry 9 ECTS from 2025/26 onward (previously 12 ECTS). In addition, a new course has been introduced:

• KS Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten für Wirtschaftswissenschaften: Methoden und Tools (3 ECTS), ideally to be taken in the 4th or 5th semester.

Students who have already completed the 12 ECTS version of the seminar or who are writing their thesis during the academic year 2025/26 (WS 25 or SS 26) are not required to take the new course. For all others, it becomes mandatory.

The module Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten still consists of 15 ECTS in total and is now structured as follows:

• KS Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten für Wirtschaftswissenschaften: Methoden und Tools (3 ECTS)

• KS Wissenschaftstheorie für Wirtschaftswissenschaften (3 ECTS)

• SE Bachelorarbeit (9 ECTS)

Spezialisierungsfeld Economics & Psychology

Elective Field: Industrial Organization and Digital Economy
The lecture VL Europäisches Wettbewerbsrecht will no longer be offered starting WS 2025. Two new courses have been added instead:

• VL Europäisches Wirtschaftsrecht: Beihilfenrecht (1.5 ECTS)

• KS Neue Technologien und Wettbewerbsrecht (3 ECTS)

Elective Field: Public Finance, Environment and Health
The lecture VL Betriebliches Umweltrecht has been removed. New courses:

• AG Werkstatt – Betriebliches Umweltrecht (1.5 ECTS)

• KS Kulturgeschichte des Denkens über die Wirtschaft I (3 ECTS)

• KS Kulturgeschichte des Denkens über die Wirtschaft II (3 ECTS)

Elective Field: Public and Nonprofit Management
Newly added:

• KS Kulturgeschichte des Denkens über die Wirtschaft I (3 ECTS)

• KS Kulturgeschichte des Denkens über die Wirtschaft II (3 ECTS)

Elective Field: Sustainability Management
The lecture VL Betriebliches Umweltrecht has been removed. New courses instead:

• AG Werkstatt – Betriebliches Umweltrecht (1.5 ECTS)

• KS Kulturgeschichte des Denkens über die Wirtschaft I (3 ECTS)

• KS Kulturgeschichte des Denkens über die Wirtschaft II (3 ECTS)

Specialization “Nachhaltige Team- und Personalentwicklung” (WiPsy)

Due to changes in staffing, this specialization has been significantly updated. A large number of new courses from the areas of sociology, business education, and social competence have been added. A full overview is available in the revised study handbook and in the ÖH Wirtschaft study planner.

New Master Program: Digital Society

The Master's program Digital Society has been officially recognized as a follow-up degree for graduates of the WiWi bachelor's program. Admission is guaranteed. Depending on your prior coursework, up to 12 ECTS of additional requirements may be assigned – however, in many cases no extra courses will be necessary thanks to the social science focus already included in the WiWi curriculum.

As a JKU student, you can easily borrow books from the university library. Your JKU Card (student ID) also serves as your library card.
Find the book on the shelf (or search for it in the online catalogue “LISSS”) and take it out. Then go to the loan desk or use the self-checkout machines on site to borrow the book using your card.
The standard loan period is 1 month, and you can borrow up to 25 books at the same time.
Renewals and reservations can be managed online via your library account.
(Tip: Magazines and newspapers can only be read on-site and cannot be borrowed.)

(Last updated: 07/2025)

The first place to go for textbooks and course materials is the ÖH JKU Shop on campus.
There you’ll often get study materials at discounted prices – many books are available to students with around 20% off.
The ÖH Shop usually stocks all common scripts and textbooks for your courses or can order them for you.
Of course, you can also check regular bookstores or online shops – but buying from the ÖH Shop saves money and supports your student representation.
(For details on opening hours and online orders, visit oeh-jku-shop.myshopify.com)

(Last updated: 07/2025)

At JKU, there’s the ÖH Book Exchange (Bücherbörse) where you can have your used textbooks, scripts, etc. sold for you by the ÖH.
Just bring your book to the Bücherbörse (located next to the ÖH Shop on campus), set a price – and the ÖH will offer it for sale both on-site and online.
As soon as someone buys your book, you’ll be notified and receive the sale proceeds.
You can also buy used books at low prices: just stop by the Bücherbörse or check their online catalogue.

(Last updated: 07/2025)

You can’t choose your bachelor’s thesis topic completely freely or write it “anywhere” in terms of subject – it must be written within the framework of a course from your curriculum.
In practice, this means: your curriculum specifies in which seminar or under which supervision your thesis must be completed.
So, you register for the relevant course and discuss your topic with your supervisor.

Location-wise, however, you’re flexible – you can write your thesis at home, in the library, or even externally (e.g. in cooperation with a company).

What’s important is that you follow all formal requirements:
The topic must be officially registered with the Examination and Recognition Services (using the correct form and your supervisor’s signature), and you must be enrolled as a student during the entire writing process.

Bottom line: You can basically write your bachelor’s thesis anywhere, as long as it’s supervised by someone at JKU and follows the rules of good academic practice.

(Last updated: 07/2025)

At university, you have multiple attempts for each exam – but the number is limited.
In general, you’re allowed a maximum of 5 attempts per exam (meaning 4 re-takes). For STEOP exams, the limit is 4 attempts.

“What counts as an attempt?”
Only exams that you actually attend count as official attempts.
If you deregister on time or simply don’t show up, it does not count as an attempt –
(but keep in mind: if you don’t cancel and don’t show up, you’ll be blocked from registering for the next date).
Every fail (“Nicht Genügend”) counts as a used attempt.
If you pass, you don’t need to take the exam again – but you may voluntarily re-take it once within 12 months to improve your grade.
(In that case, the new grade will count – even if it’s worse.)

Important: If you use up the maximum number of attempts and still don’t pass, you’ll be permanently excluded from that degree program at JKU.

(Last updated: 07/2025)

The study grant (Studienbeihilfe) is a state-funded financial support for students who need help covering their living and study expenses.
Whether you’re eligible depends on several criteria:

• Citizenship (Austrian citizens and equivalent status holders)

• Financial need (based on your parents’ income, family size, etc.)

• Academic performance ("satisfactory academic progress" – you must earn a certain number of ECTS credits within the first two semesters)

You must also have started your studies on time (generally before your 33rd birthday; exceptions up to age 38 apply for self-supporting students and parents).
You must not already hold an equivalent degree, and you have to study within the required timeframe (minimum study duration plus tolerance semesters).
The amount of the grant depends on your parents’ income, your own income, and a few other factors.

Application: You need to apply for the study grant every year – either online at stipendium.at or via paper form.
Deadlines are each semester from September 20 to December 15 and February 20 to May 15.
If you apply within this period, the grant is paid retroactively from the beginning of the semester.
If you need help with the application, feel free to contact the ÖH Social Counseling Service.

(Last updated: 07/2025)

“Free electives” (freie Studienleistungen) are courses you can choose freely as part of your degree program.
Your curriculum usually includes a certain number of ECTS credits that you can fill based on your personal interests.

The best part: Once you’ve completed the STEOP, you can choose from any course offered at the university – including those from other degree programs, language courses, etc., as long as you meet any required prerequisites.

These free electives allow you to gain additional knowledge beyond your main field of study.
They count fully toward your degree (as elective courses) and let you shape your studies in a more individual and flexible way.

(Last updated: 07/2025)

USI courses are sports courses offered by the University Sports Institute (USI).
Each semester, the USI offers a wide range of over 200 sports and fitness courses – from aerobics and yoga to ball sports, climbing, and more.
All students (and university staff) can participate, and the courses are available for a very low fee.

You can register online via the USI website: usi.jku.at, where you’ll also find the full course schedule.
USI courses are a great way to balance your academic life and try out new sports.
There’s also a dedicated fitness center on campus (located in the Kepler Hall).

(Last updated: 07/2025)

The best way to plan a semester abroad is through JKU’s exchange programs.
JKU has around 200 partner universities worldwide for student exchanges.
Typically, you apply one year in advance at the International Office for a program such as Erasmus+ (within Europe) or other options like ISEP (for the USA) or bilateral agreements.

To be eligible, you must be enrolled at JKU and already have some academic progress –
usually at least 2 semesters completed and STEOP passed (around 40 ECTS) before going abroad.
A semester abroad usually lasts one semester (up to a maximum of one year).
You won’t pay any tuition fees at the host university, but you must remain enrolled at JKU during your stay.
In many cases, you’ll also receive a scholarship or financial support (e.g. the Erasmus grant) to cover extra costs.

It’s important to prepare a Learning Agreement in advance, so that your courses abroad can be recognized at JKU.
Overall: Start planning early, choose your preferred university, and don’t miss the application deadlines –
then nothing stands in the way of an unforgettable study experience abroad!

(Last updated: 07/2025)

Yes, as a JKU student you get Microsoft Office 365 for free!
Since 2016, the university – in cooperation with the ÖH – has provided all students with free access to the full Office package.
This includes popular programs like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, and more.

You can install the software on up to 5 devices at the same time (PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones) – with updates included.
You also get 1 TB of cloud storage via OneDrive for Business.
To activate your free license, simply register once in the JKU Moodle for the Office 365 course.
There you’ll find detailed instructions on how to set up your personal Office account.
After that, you can download and fully use Office 365 – perfect for all your academic work, completely free of charge.

(Last updated: 07/2025)

Yes, JKU also provides a campus-wide Zoom license (introduced through an ÖH initiative).
As a student, you can log in at jku.zoom.us using your JKU/KUSSS login credentials to access a full Zoom Pro account.
This means there are no limitations like those in the free version – for example, you can host meetings without the 40-minute time limit.

This offer is especially useful if, for example, you're conducting interviews via Zoom for your bachelor’s thesis – you can hold meetings of unlimited length.

Important: Always log in via the university’s Zoom portal using your JKU credentials.
This ensures that the Pro license, paid for by JKU, is automatically activated.

(Last updated: 07/2025)

There are several parking options for cars on the JKU campus – including an above-ground parking garage and an underground garage beneath the Science Park, offering around 1,700 parking spaces in total.
As a student, you can park there at reduced rates. However, parking is often very full during the semester, and the inner campus area itself is car-free.
That’s why the university strongly recommends using public transport or alternative means of travel.

The most convenient way to reach the campus is by tram lines 1 or 2 – both run directly from Linz city center/main train station to the "Universität" stop on campus (approx. 25 minutes from the main station).
Several bus lines also connect the university to different parts of the city.
For eco-friendly travel, there are well-developed bike paths leading to JKU and plenty of bike racks on campus.

In short: Parking is available (for a fee), but trams, buses, or bikes are the best way to get to the university and avoid traffic or stress.
Click here for more information on how to get to JKU.

(Last updated: 07/2025)