Higher Education Didactics Programme

Target groups include university assistants (with/without doctorate), Senior Lecturers or Senior Scientists, postdocs with a qualification agreement, project staff, and interested lecturers. Lecturers from the University Mozarteum and PMU may also apply.

The programme will be offered again in the summer semester 2026. From January onwards, you will find the registration form via the following link.

An active employment relationship with the University of Salzburg and independent teaching of at least one course are required.

The programme consists of three modules:
– Compulsory Module 1: introductory phase with basic and planning competences
– Elective Module 2: freely selectable courses from four competence areas
– Compulsory Module 3: supervised practical teaching phase

The duration depends on individual time planning but is at least two semesters. Completion should take place within eight semesters (for fixed-term employment contracts before the contract expires).

The total workload amounts to 5 ECTS, supported by synergy effects through:
› integration of one’s own teaching
› recognition of prior learning or experience
› recognition for doctoral studies (individually decided by the Curriculum Committee, e.g. as part of “special achievements”)
› added value for qualification and application procedures

A maximum of 14 participants can be admitted per semester. Exceptions are possible in justified cases. In particularly justified cases, the programme directors may approve further exceptions.

The programme is competence-oriented and consists of compulsory and elective modules drawn from five competence areas:
» Foundational higher education didactics competences, e.g. teaching formats, learning formats
» Methodological competences – clarity, e.g. visualisation, presentation, assessment
» Methodological competences – structure, e.g. curriculum design/systemic competence, planning competence
» Social competences, e.g. communication, motivation relevant for learning
» Personal competences, e.g. defining one’s own role, self-reflection

Participants plan, teach and evaluate their own course. The practical phase is accompanied by the programme directors and peer feedback.

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jörg Zumbach (Department of Educational Science)
Assoz.-Prof. Dr. Patrick Warto (Department of Labour and Business Law)

The aim is to teach and apply scientific theories, principles and methods (from research on teaching and learning and related disciplines) to promote effective, research-led teaching. The strong focus on application supports the transfer into practice. The diverse disciplinary backgrounds of participants are addressed through exchange and reflection on subject-specific teaching methods and didactic approaches.

Lecturers at the University Mozarteum and Paracelsus Medical Private University may apply for participation based on the existing cooperation agreement. Information is available at the respective universities.

›› Compulsory Module 1 (2 ECTS)
This module on foundational higher education didactics competences consists of:
– An introductory event
– Workshops on:
» Teaching formats (“Learning logic – how thinking, understanding and remembering work”)
» Learning formats (“Designing learning moments: formats that move learning”)
» Framework conditions of teaching and learning (“The university as a learning space – rules, structures, scope”)
» Evidence-based advancement of teaching
› All workshops are 5 hours each
› All workshops are at the “fundamentals” level

In addition, this module includes the compulsory unit:
» Planning competence (“Thoughtfully designed – planning effective courses” and “Deep planning – reflecting on and further developing teaching concepts”), comprising 25 hours.
In total, this compulsory module comprises 50 hours.

›› Elective Module 2 (2 ECTS)
Following the introductory phase, participants may attend any number of elective courses from the four competence areas.
At least one course (5 or 10 hours) must be completed in three of the four areas.
A total of 50 hours must be completed.

›› Compulsory Module 3 (1 ECTS)
The practical phase requires all participants to teach a supervised course. If possible, groups of up to 5 participants with similar subject focus are formed.
Prerequisites:
– Completion of the introductory phase
– Completion of the courses on planning competence
Courses from other competence areas are recommended.

The practical phase includes planning, delivering and evaluating one’s own teaching. This is carried out under the guidance of the course instructor and through peer observation and feedback. For successful completion, all compulsory and elective modules must be passed. Elective modules may be chosen freely.

For the HSD brochure (PDF) – the handbook with competence model and course descriptions – click here.