The Catholic-Theological Private University of Linz

Historically, the Catholic-Theological University of Linz (KTU) is the oldest of the local universities: Theological studies have been pursued here since 1672. The opening of the new building in 1988 gave the faculty’s mission also a visual expression by establishing an architectural link between a Baroque manor and a house of the 1980s. Its accreditation as a private university, according to the respective Federal Law, in 2000 made it an academic centre equal to the Johannes Kepler University, the University of Art and the Anton Bruckner Private University.

More than 30 scholars teach at the KTU. With the establishment of the Institute for Art Studies and Philosophy in the academic year 2005/06 the range of studies to be chosen from by some 500 students has been expanded to include a proper curriculum of Art Studies and Philosophy as well.

Special features of the KTU include an emphasis on Economy – Ethics – Society, the afore mentioned Institute for Art Studies and Philosophy (an unique institution to be found only here), and the joint Institute for Charity Studies, all of which contribute to the extension and deepening of the theological curriculum. Students enrolled in the pedagogical curriculum in order to become teachers of Catholic Religion may choose to pursue their required complementary curriculum at the federal Johannes Kepler University or at the University of Art. The KTU Library houses a collection of 220 000 registered volumes, making it the third largest public library in Upper Austria, covering a broad range of subjects from academic to fictional literature.

Alumni of the KTU find their jobs as teachers of religion, parochial assistants, priests of the dioecese or within an order, youth leaders, teachers of adults, personal or cultural managers, journalists and publishers/editors, art educators and in public relations.

A place of academic research, learning, and teaching in the fields of theology, philosophy and art, the KTU is a lively centre of the humanities in Upper Austria with many public lectures, symposia, and exhibitions.

For more details see: www.ktu-linz.ac.at