The Paris Lodron University of Salzburg is the largest educational institution in the Salzburg region. Presently, over 18,000 students are enrolled and it employs approximately 2,700 staff members in research, teaching and administration. As an integral part of both cultural and educational life, the University serves as a meeting place for teaching staff, students and academics, as well as the general public. Since our re-establishment in 1962, the University has developed into a modern, vibrant institution whose four Faculties — Theology, Law, Cultural and Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences — meet the highest standards of teaching and research.
History
The University was officially opened in 1622 by its founder Paris Lodron, the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg. A confederation of 33 Benedictine monasteries from Salzburg, Switzerland, southern Germany and Austria were credited with building and maintaining the University. The University existed until 1810, when Salzburg was annexed to Bavaria. Since its reestablishment in 1962, Paris Lodron University has developed into a modern, vibrant university.
In 2004, the University of Salzburg implemented a new organisation chart in accordance with the 2002 University Organisation Act (UG 2002). The UG 2002 permitted all Austrian universities to become autonomous, and therefore, more self-dependent and performance-orientated. The University has since divided in to faculties and departments: the Faculty of Humanities has been renamed the Faculty of Cultural and Social Sciences.
The University of Salzburg is divided into four Faculties — Theology, Law, Cultural and Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences — and three inter-faculty departments — offering a broad range of Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral studies, as well as postgraduate university courses.
Within these Faculties are four Focus Areas:
- Life Sciences and Health
- European Union Studies
- Law, Economics and Business
- Arts and Humanities
Additionally, the University maintains a broad spectrum of study fields and research areas that, as a series of Centres, work together within a wider research unit. See our Degree Programmes.
Profile
The mission of The Paris Lodron University of Salzburg is to carry out research and teaching in its respective disciplines to the highest level possible. Its graduates, through highly professional qualifications, not only distinguish themselves in their prospective fields, but also find themselves better prepared to meet the challenges of a constantly changing world through increased social competence, flexibility and mobility.
The University pursues this goal with the awareness and knowledge that in order to meet the current demands of both society and research on an ongoing basis, a variety of disciplines and methods are required, to include trans-disciplinary understanding and collaboration. For this reason, the University is a sought after partner for national and international co-operation with other universities and organisations in the fields of science, culture, commerce and politics.