History of EPU

  • The European University Center for Peace Studies (EPU), a university level-course, was founded in 1988 by the Austrian Study Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR), the Austrian UNESCO Commission and other national UNESCO Commissions from Western and Eastern Europe. 
  • The first pilot semester in Peace and Conflict Studies was held in 1990 and took place at the Hotel Burg Schlaining. In 1991/1992 the student hotel “Haus International” was founded by the ASPR, with financial support of the regional government. In the same year the first regular semester of the EPU took place.  By regulation, the Austrian Ministry of Science and Research decreed EPU’s right to award Master of Arts Degrees in Peace and Conflict Studies in 1992. During these early years, the Austrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs fully supported the programme, so that each student was able to receive a scholarship. 
  • In 1995 UNESCO Secretary General Dr. Federico Mayor awarded EPU with the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education. In 1996 the UNESCO Chair for Peace, Human Rights & Democracy was established at the EPU, with President Dr. Mader as Chairholder.
  • Since 2006 the study program has been organized in trimesters (120 ECTS credits for a fall, spring and summer trimester and a master thesis) according to the European Bologna Process. 
  • On 22 February 2010 the EPU has received accreditation as a recognized private university (“Private Universität") according to the Austrian University Accreditation Act (UniAkkG) and the European Bologna Process. This means that EPU now has the right to award MA degrees as a private university according to the regulations of the European Higher Education Area which meets the international standards.
  • The new “European Peace University (EPU) - Private University” allows for the continuation of the successful international post graduate study program “MA in Peace and Conflict Studies”. Furthermore, the EPU offers an additional “MA Program in European Peace and Security Studies” and a consecutive “MA Program in Peacebuilding”. For further information please see the section “Study”.
  • The history of the EPU has been a success story, and we are happy that it will now continue in a new and improved form. As before, it attracts many students from all over the world who are fascinated by the idea of peace, intercultural dialogue and peaceful conflict transformation. We are looking forward to welcoming you at the new “EPU – Private University”!

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EPU EUROPEAN PEACE UNIVERSITY
Rochusplatz 1
7461 Stadtschlaining, Austria 		p: +43-3355-43924
f: +43-3355-43924-12
e: epu@epu.ac.at