Language Center
The University of Applied Sciences (FH) Kufstein Tirol has defined internationality as a high value for the educational programs in Kufstein. Foreign language skills and intercultural competence are essential building blocks of internationality; as a result, foreign language training plays a significant role at the University.
For this reason, the FH Kufstein Tirol established a central office - the Language Center - which lives multilingualism and intercultural communication and professionally takes care of all matters relating to language training and language proficiency certification. Consultation hours are offered at any time by appointment.
Comprehensive language training provides essential preparation for study and professional activities abroad. Moreover, it helps prepare every student for their future career because multilingualism and intercultural competencies are necessary for effective professional engagement in the national economy, the EU, and worldwide. The need for university graduates who can communicate successfully across cultures and languages and effectively contribute to regional and international economies is increasing.
Quality and modern Didactics
Outstanding teachers are the basis of good language training. All language instructors at the FH Kufstein Tirol are well-trained and regularly participate in professional development. In the University's language courses, high value is placed on communication and very much action-oriented skill development.
Language offering
- At the FH Kufstein Tirol, students can enjoy professional training in world languages as part of the bachelor's degree programs. For full-time students, the bachelor's degree program-integrated language training includes modules in Business English for Academic and Professional Purposes (B2-C1 and C1-C2) as well as Chinese (A1-A2), French (A1-A2, B1-B2), Italian (A1-A2, B1-B2), Russian (A1-A2), and Spanish (A1-A2, B1-B2). Starting with the B1 level, all modules include an economic focus. Not all languages and levels are offered every term; the demand determines the offer. In the part-time format, the language module is limited to Business English for Academic and Professional Purposes (B2-C1+). For foreign exchange students, courses are offered in German and Austrian culture.
- Complementary language training is provided through the International Business School GmbH's professional development offering so students can also pursue language studies outside their degree programs at the FH Kufstein. Among other languages, the current offer includes modules in German for Business Professionals specifically tailored toward international students. Professional development courses are associated with costs and are offered based on demand.
- The levels of proficiency applied at the FH Kufstein Tirol are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which subdivides language training into courses for beginners and basic knowledge (A1/A2), advanced and independent language use (B1/B2), and expert or almost native language use (C1/C2).
Bachelor's degree program-integrated language & intercultural competence training
The acquisition of foreign language skills and intercultural competence is ensured at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol by completing study-integrated language modules in all bachelor's degree programs. A curriculum-integrated language module entails 12 ECTS (9 weekly instructional hours) divided across two consecutive semester courses (WiSe+SoSe). The full-time bachelor's degree in International Business Studies includes two language modules, while all other bachelor's degree programs include one.
For the following bachelor's degrees, the language modules are offered in the first and second semester of study: Energy & Sustainability Management, Facility & Real Estate Management, International Business Studies, Business Management, Industrial Engineering & Management, and Sports, Culture & Event Management. For Marketing & Communication Management and Web Business & Technology, the language modules are offered in the third and fourth semester of study.
The degree program-integrated language modules are designed according to the methodological principles of a communicative, action-oriented approach. A central objective is that students increase their communication skills by at least one level. In addition, there is a clear focus on acquiring academic and business-oriented skills in the target language. Another principle is that the range of language modules is adapted as far as possible to the needs of the students (previous knowledge, objectives regarding the study abroad, individual academic and professional objectives) and the organizational form of the course.
Students submit their language priorities and placement test results in English and, if necessary, in other languages before the start of the language module. The Language Center considers this information in allocating the language modules and levels and in recommending support measures. In assigning language modules, priority is given to languages in which students have prior knowledge. Courses at the beginner level are only allocated if students have a secure B2 level in English or another language.
Prerequisites For Language course Allocations in the Full-time Bachelor's Program
A1-A2
- Foreign Language 1:
No prior knowledge of the target language and a secure B2 level in English - Foreign Language 2 (International Business Studies only):
No previous knowledge of the target language and no language module at level A1-A2 as Foreign Language 1
B1-B2
- Foreign Language 1:
Secured A2 level in the target language or recommendation of support measures* and secured B2 level in English - Foreign Language 2 (International Business Studies only):
Secured A2 level in the target language or recommendation of support measures*
B2-C1
- Foreign Language 1:
Secured B1 level in English or recommendation of support measures*
C1-C2
- Foreign Language 1:
Secured B1 level in English
* The English Bridge Workshop is an extracurricular offering by the FH Kufstein Tirol International Business School GmbH. This workshop entails intensive language training and takes place before the start of the first semester. Preparatory courses in Spanish, Italian, and French are offered on demand. Professional development courses are associated with costs, and participation is voluntary.
Language certificates from a certified testing center
The FH Kufstein Tirol is one of Austria's few authorized testing centers. The International Business School of the FH Kufstein Tirol offers various internationally recognized certificate examinations regarding language skills. The issuance or examination to obtain such a certificate is associated with costs; participation is voluntary. The International Business School of the FH Kufstein Tirol administers the current range of certificates and the associated examinations and preparatory courses. The following certified language tests are offered:
TOEFL ITP®
TOEFL-ITP®-Test is an internationally recognized English language test developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, USA, to assess the suitability of non-native speakers of the English language for studying at an English-speaking university.
DIPLOMAS DE ESPAÑOL COMO LENGUA EXTRANJERA (DELE)
The Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) is an official certificate of Spanish language proficiency issued by the Instituto Cervantes for the Spanish Ministry of Education and Professional Training.
FAQ
At the University of Applied Sciences (FH) Kufstein Tirol, foreign language education is integrated into the following full-time (FT) and part-time (PT) Bachelor's degree programs:
- Energy & Sustainability Management FT
- Facility & Real Estate Management FT & PT
- International Business Studies FT & PT
- Marketing & Communication Management FT & PT
- Sports, Culture & Event Management FT & PT
- Business Management FT
- Web Business & Technology FT
- Industrial Engineering & Management FT
The curriculum of the bachelor's degree programs in the part-time organizational format includes the language module "Business English for Academic and Professional Purposes" at levels B2-C1+ (12 ECTS). The full-time Bachelor's degree program in International Business Studies includes two language modules (2x12 ECTS) in two languages altogether. All other Bachelor's degree programs offered in the full-time organizational format include one language module (12 ECTS) in only one language.
The following course module offering is planned for bachelor's degree programs offered in the full-time organizational format (Prerequisite: At least ten participants per language/level):
- Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian (A1-A2)
- Business French/Italian/Spanish (B1-B2)
- Business English for Academic and Professional Purposes (B2-C1)
- Business English for Academic and Professional Purposes (C1-C2)
Language module in bachelor's degrees in the part-time organizational format:
The curriculum of the degree programs in the part-time organizational format includes the module Business English for Academic and Professional Purposes at levels B2-C1+ (12 ECTS). This module is automatically assigned.
Language module prioritization in bachelor's degrees in the full-time organizational format:
The Bachelor of Arts in Business in International Business Studies in the full-time organizational format includes two language modules (2x12 ECTS) in two languages altogether. All other bachelor's degree programs in the full-time organizational format include one language module (12 ECTS) in only one language.
As part of the admission process to the degree program, students receive an email regarding the foreign language selection or prioritization. This email includes a link to an English placement test and a foreign language selection form. Students can specify previous experience and preferred prioritization regarding the modules offered via the foreign language selection form. The Language Center considers this information when assigning the language modules.
The following course module offering is planned (Prerequisite: At least ten participants per language/level):
- Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian (A1-A2)
- Business French/Italian/Spanish (B1-B2)
- Business English for Academic and Professional Purposes (B2-C1)
- Business English for Academic and Professional Purposes (C1-C2)
In determining your priorities in language training as part of the bachelor's degree programs offered in the full-time organizational format, consider the following factors in addition to the requirements and objectives of the various languages and levels and the future needs in the desired professional field:
Your result in the English placement test
- If your English placement test results in an enrollment recommendation at level B2 or lower, we strongly advise you to prioritize English in your language selection since a secure B2 level is a minimum requirement for successfully completing the English-language courses integrated into the curriculum.
Your level in Spanish, Italien, or French
- If your English placement test results in an enrollment recommendation at level B1 or B2, we strongly advise you to prioritize these languages. Advanced modules (Levels B1-B2) in these languages enable you to complete your study abroad or professional internship in Latin America, Spain, Canada, France, or Italy and to acquire the required competence to carry out your professional tasks in these languages as well.
- Suppose you have only limited experience in Spanish, Italian, or French and have not yet achieved a secured A2 level. In that case, you are overqualified for a beginner's course and underqualified for an advanced-level module. As a result, we recommend prioritizing a different language.
- Suppose the language is your mother tongue, or you have already achieved the B2 level. In that case, you are overqualified for the language modules in Spanish, Italian, or French and cannot be assigned to these languages.
Previous experience in Chinese or Russian
- If you have previous experience in Chinese or Russian, you are overqualified for a beginner's module in this language. We recommend prioritizing a different language because advanced-level courses are not offered in these languages.
If you desire a change after the language module assignment, you should immediately submit a corresponding request to the Language Center. A change can be facilitated only before the second class meeting in the first semester of the desired language module, providing space is available. No further changes are planned, not even after completing the first language module.
The Language Center issues a statement which confirms the level of your language courses. Generally, this confirmation suffices. However, some international universities, such as in Australia and New Zealand among others, require a TOEFL Certificate, which can be obtained at the FH Kufstein Tirol International Business School GmbH and involves completing the corresponding exam and paying the associated fees.
The degree program administration considers the possibility of awarding credit for language modules completed at other institutions of higher learning or in other degree programs on a case-by-case basis upon request. Recognition of prior learning at other institutions of higher learning is only possible for languages taught at the FH Kufstein Tirol. Prior learning must be documented through official certificates or transcripts. Please contact study@fh-kufstein.ac.at regarding potential questions concerning the recognition of prior learning and note the instructions and deadlines associated with the recognition of prior learning stated in Chapter 1 of the Statute of the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol.
Next to your degree program studies, you can learn languages through the Professional Development Offering of the International Business School GmbH of the FH Kufstein Tirol. The training courses offered are associated with costs and are not part of the degree program curriculum. Demand determines the offering; generally, at least ten participants must enroll for language courses.
