Logo des Jesuitenordens
The University of Innsbruck was founded in 1669 as a Catholic university under the auspices of the Jesuits. So it was with theology that the university actually began, and even now the Faculty of Catholic Theology is located just next to the Jesuit College. It is part of the state University of Innsbruck and - also thanks to public funding - offers excellent possibilities for studying.

Past

Especially in the last century, the Faculty of Theology enjoyed a worldwide reputation as a centre of creative theological thinking. Innsbruck is associated with the names of such Jesuits as Josef Andreas Jungmann, Hugo Rahner, and his younger brother Karl Rahner. Ignacio Ellacuria and Segundo Montes, who both were killed in 1989 in San Salvador in their fight against mass poverty in that country, had studied theology in Innsbruck in the years before Vatican II.

Present

The Faculty of Catholic Theology seeks to be at once firmly planted in the Christian tradition and open to the intellectual, social, and political realities of today. The main areas of research are:
  • Religion and Violence, Globalization and Communication
  • Naturalism and the Christian View of the Human Person
  • Jewish-Christian relations

Degrees

Degrees are offered in Catholic theology and in philosophy, including:
  • bachelor's degree
  • master's degree
  • licentiate
  • doctorate
All these degrees (except a Ph.D. programme in Christian philosophy) are fully recognized by ecclesiastical authorities.

Support of the College

Our aim is to offer you any support possible so that you can learn the language and obtain an academic degree within a reasonable timeframe.

If necessary, the Jesuit College can grant you scholarships for advanced studies. All students are assigned an academically experienced Jesuit priest as a tutor, and, depending on numbers, they form one or more smaller living groups within the larger College community.

The medium of instruction is German.

The academic year starts on 1st October.

If you are interested in getting more information about studying theology or philosophy as a Jesuit in Innsbruck, please contact the rector of the Jesuit College: