Austria has a broad and diverse range of higher education institutions, ranging in size and structure, for a country with a population of little under nine million people. There are 22 autonomous public universities (öffentliche Universitäten) for education in austria with a broad focus on humanities, law, and economics that control their own affairs with some financial backing from the state.
There are also 21 Applied Sciences Universities (Fachhochschulen) that offer scientifically-based and vocationally-oriented programs. Graduates from these colleges will be expected to work in their fields of study after graduation. The fundamental purpose of these schools was to provide university-level practice-oriented instruction, transmit the skills needed to solve problems and encourage graduation into subject-related areas. The state actively promotes these universities, and they are constantly looking for additional female students.
There are 13 private institutions (Privatuniversitäten) in Germany that receive no government financing. The Accreditation Council oversees them (Akkreditierungsrat). Students may anticipate creative and high-quality education from these institutions, with a strong emphasis on the arts. Continuous internal and external evaluations of education and research distinguish private universities.
