MARIHE Curriculum
The full-time and on-site study program with 120 ECTS is to be completed within 4 semesters (2 years). Students have the same mobility track in the first two semesters (Krems/Austria and Tampere/Finland). In the third and fourth semester, students follow their specialization in Asia (Beijing/China or Patiala/India) and in Europe (Krems/Austria, Tampere/Finland, Osnabrück/Germany, Budapest/Hungary, or Aveiro/Portugal). The mandatory internship can be done worldwide.
N.B.: The information (valid for intakes 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028) is also provided on the website of the University for Continuing Education Krems (coordinating institution), incl. a translation from the University Bulletin: Ordinance of the University for Continuing Education Krems on the curriculum of the continuing education master´s program „Research and Innovation in Higher Education“ (Faculty of Education, Arts and Architecture, Department for Higher Education Research).
ECTS Distribution
First Semester: Orientation
University for Continuing Education Krems (Austria); 30 ECTS (six modules, each 5 ECTS)
Systems in Transition 1
Understand EU policies’ impact on higher education, research, and innovation systems.
Higher Education Governance and Management
Examine reforms in higher education governance and critically reflect on New Public Management.
Theories of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
Explore theoretical foundations and research areas in higher education and innovation.
Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
Address challenges in teaching and learning through learner-centered pedagogy.
Mission-driven Institutional Management
Analyze how HEIs fulfill teaching, research, and societal missions through effective management.
Research Methods 1
Learn and apply quantitative research methods using statistical tools.
Second Semester: Foundation
Tampere University (Finland); 30 ECTS (six modules, each 5 ECTS)
Systems in Transition 2
Compare global higher education systems and assess internationalization and globalization effects.
Organisation Theory in Higher Education and Innovation
Apply organizational theories to understand institutional change and innovation in HEIs.
Higher Education and Societal Challenges
Investigate how HE addresses societal issues and crisis contexts using policy tools.
Financial Management and Funding in Higher Education
Analyze financial practices, funding models, and sustainability in HEIs.
Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Education
Foster entrepreneurial thinking and innovation in academic settings.
Research Methods 2
Apply qualitative and mixed-methods research in social science and higher education contexts.
Third Semester: internship and Specializations
Students follow their individual mobility path. N.B.: The final allocation to the specialization hosts is decided by the consortium.
Internship: 10 ECTS, worldwide
Specialization Asia: 15 ECTS (three modules), at one of the two Asian partners:
Educational Planning and Development, Beijing Normal University (China)
Systems in Transition 3
Explore the historical development and global influence of Chinese higher education.
Educational Planning: Theory and Practice
Develop critical and practical skills in educational planning based on global frameworks.
Comparative Perspectives on Higher Education Reforms
Analyze education reforms from international comparative viewpoints.
Sustainable Education and Social Entrepreneurship, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (India)
Systems in Transition 3
Study Indian higher education’s historical and structural evolution in a global context.
Social and Commercial Entrepreneurship
Understand entrepreneurship models and their application in education and development.
Designing for Sustainability Education
Integrate sustainability principles into education design and institutional practice.
Specialization Europe: 10 ECTS (two modules), at one of the five European partners:
Research Management and Digital Transformation, Tampere University (Finland)
Research and Transfer Management
Understand research project and innovation transfer management in HEIs.
Digital Transformation of Higher Education Research
Examine digitalization’s strategic and operational impacts in academia.
Leadership and Management, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
Leadership and Change
Build strategic leadership capabilities to manage change in higher education.
Strategies and Transformation in Practice
Implement strategic planning and institutional transformation practices.
Institutional Research, University for Continuing Education Krems (Austria)
Designing Institutional Research Studies
Design and conduct studies to inform institutional decision-making in HEIs.
Institutional Research and Strategic Foresight
Apply foresight tools to guide strategic planning in higher education.
Learning and Teaching, Eötvös Loránd University/ELTE (Hungary)
Programme Design, Delivery and Assessment
Develop and assess academic programmes using learning-centered approaches.
Innovation in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
Foster innovation and best practices in university teaching and pedagogy.
Policy Analysis, University of Aveiro (Portugal)
Innovation, Science & Technology Policies
Explore science and innovation policy frameworks and their educational implications.
Higher Education and Science Policy Analysis
Analyze higher education and science policy using evidence-based policy tools.
Fourth Semester
Master’s Thesis: 25 ECTS
At one of the hosts where the specializations were completed, in either Europe or Asia.