
As a member of the Aurora Universities Network, Universität Innsbruck relies on intensive cooperation with selected partners from Reykjavik to Naples. Students, scientists and administrative staff alike benefit from this collaboration.
With the approval of an Aurora European Universities Alliance by the European Commission, the joint activities were taken to a new level. On this page you will find all relevant information and opportunities for participation at the Universität Innsbruck. Also visit the alliance-wide Aurora website for more information.



Aurora at a glance:
Aurora: With students – For students
International experiences are an essential part of university studies and help broaden students’ perspectives. Aurora offers students a variety of opportunities to gain these international experiences and actively contribute to them.
These include mobility formats in different settings - such as international (virtual) courses, BIPs (Blended Intensive Programmes), student conferences, summer schools, as well as traditional semesters abroad - or networking activities within and between individual university locations, such as those offered by the Aurora Student Ambassador Programme. Various funding opportunities are available for these activities through the European Commission and the Universität Innsbruck.
Aurora for Teaching Staff: Breaking New Ground
International collaboration and innovative teaching methods are central pillars of modern higher education. Aurora offers teaching staff a wide range of opportunities to expand their teaching internationally, exchange ideas with colleagues, and collaboratively develop new interdisciplinary formats. In addition, practical guides have been created within the framework of Aurora to support teaching staff in integrating new content and methods. A special focus is placed on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), which plays a central role in the alliance and is increasingly embedded in teaching.
Aurora for Researchers: Promoting Networking
Aurora offers researchers a wide range of opportunities to expand their international networks and collaborate on projects. Various funding programs are available to specifically support research activities. In addition, practical research resources are provided to facilitate the development and design of research projects. A special focus is placed on sustainability-oriented research: the SDG Research Dashboard helps situate projects within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fosters networking among them.
Aurora for Staff: learning from and with each other
Aurora promotes international collaboration and exchange among administrative staff at partner universities. The network offers a wide range of opportunities to benefit from good-practice examples and to connect through staff mobilities, as well as various workshops and activities. Within the framework of the – unique in Austria – Internationalization Certificate, the Universität Innsbruck also provides opportunities for staff to complete Aurora modules as part of their professional development.
Activities
APR
20-24
MAY
27-29
About Aurora
Aurora News
Call For Applications: Developing Ukranian Studies at European Universities
Universität Innsbruck is offering a new Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) that combines an on-site Winter School in Innsbruck with online sessions during the summer semester 2026. Bachelor’s and Master’s students from partner universities are warmly invited to apply for the programme.
Aurora’s Summer 2026 Courses Are Here – Take a Look!
New Aurora courses for Summer 2026 are launching across multiple Aurora partner universities, bringing innovative and inspiring programs to expand your skills and academic horizons. Stay tuned!
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) Graduate Winter School
Join VU Amsterdam Graduate Winter School and explore a range of short, high-level courses. Learn from leading VU experts, connect with peers, and take your research and professional skills to the next level.
Spark Social 2026: Aurora Blended Intensive Programme on Social Innovation
The University of Iceland offers an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) for late-stage bachelor’s and master’s students from Aurora universities, combining online sessions with a five-day on-site capstone in Reykjavík.
UIBK Newsroom
University of Innsbruck expands network in Canada
A delegation from the University of Innsbruck visited Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby near Vancouver, British Columbia, at the end of October 2025 to deepen institutional relations. During the visit, two cooperation agreements were signed, which will enable closer cooperation between the University of Innsbruck and Simon Fraser University in the future, as well as the association of Simon Fraser University with the Aurora Network.
Looking Back: The First-Ever AURORA OPEN 2025
The University of Innsbruck, in cooperation with the University Sports Institute Innsbruck (USI) and Palacký University Olomouc, hosted the first AUROA beach volleyball tournament and student conference. Students from Austria, Spain, the Netherlands, Iceland and the Czech Republic took part in the event.
International perspectives on Austria through Aurora courses
The interdisciplinary Aurora course “Reading Austria” connects students to explore Austria's role in Europe and the world. Through an interdisciplinary approach to history, literature and art as well as excursions to local institutions, participants gain valuable insights into cultural transfers, globalization and national identity.
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
From 3 to 5 April 2024, a Peer Learning Activity (PLA) developed by the Rectorate, the Aurora European University Office Innsbruck and UniNEtZ took place on the topic of "Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)".
Aurora Members


The University of Iceland, founded in 1911, is a progressive comprehensive research university, situated in the heart of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Great emphasis is placed on strengthening research and educating young people, preparing them for taking an active part in society as well as making their mark on the global community. The University of Iceland is ranked no. 201-250 by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Currently some 13,300 students are enrolled at the University, including over 1,100 international students. The University of Iceland comprises five schools and 25 faculties offering over four hundred different programmes of study in all major academic disciplines, The University employs a large number of highly qualified academics who are a part of a strong global network within the scientific community. Dynamic and extensive collaboration with research institutions and industry is an important factor in the University’s operations.

The VU is a comprehensive research university, founded in 1880 and aims to contribute to a better world. A world in which justice, humanity, and responsibility for each other and for the world, are central. The VU is ambitious in scientific research and education and encourages free and open communication of ideas. Our university values academic freedom and independence. This independence is reflected in our name Vrije Universiteit; free from church, state and commercial interests. We are committed to delivering Academic Value by developing academic character, embracing diversity and our orientation towards society.
Located at the VU Campus in the heart of the Amsterdam business district, the VU houses 10 faculties, has approximately 23.000 students of which 3.000 international students, 4.500 staff and offers around 70 international programmes. Our education and research are clustered around four interdisciplinary research themes: Governance for Society, Human Health and Life Sciences, Connected World and Science for Sustainability.

The Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) was created in 1991 by the Parliament of Catalonia. From the very first day, the university’s aim has been apparent: to place knowledge at the service of society to contribute to the social and economic development of the surrounding area, as it gradually transforms over time.
Located approximately 100 km south-west of Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast of Catalonia, the URV trains future professionals under the precepts of European harmonization, as a way of opening doors to a world of work without frontiers. With this aim, we currently provide over 130 different programmes of study in all areas of knowledge and at all levels, courses which are now enjoyed by over 14,000 students, with 34% of our 2,700 postgraduate students being international. The university has a staff of 2,900 members.
The special emphasis that the URV places on research allows it to play a leading role in regional development, especially in those areas that are closely linked to the region’s economic strengths: namely, Chemistry, Energy and New Materials, Nutrition and Health, Wine-making, Tourism, Housing, Heritage and Culture, ICT & Digital Economy.

Founded in 2003 by merger of two universities in the cities Duisburg and Essen, we are one of the youngest universities in Germany. Located at the heart of the Ruhr metropolis, our university is like our region: dynamic, ambitious, and ever changing.
In our eleven faculties and four interdisciplinary research clusters – Nano sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Urban Systems, and Transformation of Contemporary Societies – our scientists develop ideas with a future. We deliberately interlock research and teaching as closely as we can to promote exchange of knowledge and perspectives.
At our two campuses at Duisburg and Essen and our university medical center, you meet 42,000 students from more than 130 countries. We embrace diversity and strongly support exchange and collaboration, both regionally – as with our neighboring universities.

Founded in 1669, Universität Innsbruck is the largest research and education institution in western Austria, with more than 27,000 students and 5,000 staff and faculty members. Located in the heart of the Alps, Universität Innsbruck is a research university comprising sixteen faculties and 81 departments. Its research activities are organised along with six main research areas, namely physics, mountain regions, cultural encounters – cultural conflicts, scientific computing, molecular biosciences and digital sciences. Furthermore, four interdisciplinary research platforms and 46 research centres shape our research profile, organised in a structure designed to promote inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration among our staff.
International higher education rankings regularly prove that Universität Innsbruck plays a distinguished role as an education and research institution in the European higher education area and enjoys an outstanding reputation in many fields of research. Universität Innsbruck strongly believes that the knowledge it generates is not only meant for the few but should benefit society as a whole.

Copenhagen Business School (CBS) was established in 1917. Today, with 20,000 students and 1,500 employees, CBS is one of the largest business schools in Europe and one of the 8 Danish universities
CBS is Denmark’s largest educational and research institution within business administration and economics in a wide sense. The university is committed to providing business-related education programmes and continuing education for the public and, in particular, the private sector.
CBS is committed to communicating knowledge and new ideas to tomorrow’s business leaders and society in general. Its main contribution in this field is research and research-based education, and investment in research and high academic standards is therefore crucial to CBS’ contribution to society.

Founded by the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Frederick II in 1224, the University Federico II is the world’s oldest state-supported institution of Higher Education and Research. Based in Naples, the University is rooted in a challenging and lively socio-economic context and aims at bridging southern Italy to the global scientific community. The University Federico II committed to its public mission, and its laic and pluralistic vocation, supports the independence, openness and inclusivity of teaching, learning and research.
As a comprehensive public university, Federico II offers high-quality courses in all academic disciplines, at all levels, allowing its students to pursue both intellectual development and the acquisition of professional skills. Federico II is also committed to quality research, societal impact and community engagement. The development of interdisciplinary and innovative teaching, learning and research are, therefore, among its priorities.
At Federico II, fundamental and curiosity-driven research as well as applied and out-put oriented researchers are highly praised, placing the University among the most active Higher Education and Research Italian and European institutions.

Palacký University Olomouc is a university with a long-standing tradition. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest university in Moravia and the second-oldest university in the Czech Republic.
Today it is a modern higher education facility with a wide range of study programmes and copious scientific and research activities. In 2019, more than 22,000 students studied in accredited study programmes, exchange programmes and lifelong learning programmes at eight faculties. Palacký University Olomouc is one of the very top Czech universities, and ranks among the best universities in the world, according to international rankings.
The mission of the University is to promote the involvement of students in all areas of research, to cultivate their critical and creative thinking, and to provide high-quality university education in a broad range of natural, medical, and social sciences and humanities on the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels.
Our active partnership with both the regional community and the global community contributes to the development of the intellectual wealth of the society and its sustainable scientific, technological, cultural, and social development.

With 14 faculties, schools and institutes, 1 observatory and 33 research laboratories, Université Paris-Est Créteil has been active in all fields of knowledge since 1970. A major player in disseminating academic, scientific and technological knowledge, the university offers more than 350 training courses in all disciplines and levels.
Website
Associated Partners

V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University is a leading Ukrainian research and educational institution with a 215-year history. In the «Top-200 Ukraine» UNESCO Chair Ranking in 2019, the University ranked third among all Ukrainian institutions of higher education. According to the annual QS World University Rankings 2020, Karazin University is included in the Top 500 universities in the world. The University ranks 491st, which is the highest position compared to other Ukrainian universities.

Founded in 1994, the University of Tetova welcomes and is open to all the students, teachers and collaborators. It welcomes individuals who possess intellectual and moral qualities, which they can apply in an academic climate of clearly defined institutional autonomy and academic freedom, to contribute to the development of education, science and professional development at the university.

The South-West University “Neofit Rilski” was founded in 1976 in Blagoevgrad. With a history of over 40 years, the University has gained a reputation as a leader in the sphere of science and education in Bulgaria and on the Balkans. At present it is recognized as one of the forefront classical universities in South – Eastern Europe.

Pavol Jozef Šafárik University was established in 1959 as the second classical University in Slovakia. The current structure of P. J. Šafárik University includes five faculties – Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Public Administration and Faculty of Arts. At our University more than 7 500 students are studying.
Info
Contact
FAQ
Newsletter





























