While the UMIT is relatively new in the field of higher education, progress made in the last couple of years clearly indicates that it has gained remarkable international reputation. The establishment of the UMIT is based on the University Accreditation Act (UniAkkG, Federal Law Gazette. I Nr.168/1999), passed by the Austrian Parliament in 1999.
At the beginning of 2001 an accreditation application was submitted and after international review, it was granted the status of a university. In the winter semester of 2001/02 the first courses started with 19 students enrolled. In the following years the number of courses offered increased consistently.
In September 2004 the UMIT moved to its new location at the Eduard-Wallnöfer Centre for Medical Innovation (EWZ) in Hall in the Tyrol. In 2006, after international review, the Austrian Accreditation Council granted re-accreditation of the UMIT in the branches of research, education, administration and organization until 2011.
In the winter semester of 2010/2011, 1,370 students were enrolled at the UMIT.
UMIT, the Tyrolean state university, is a science university devoted to the exciting and forward-looking topics of medical informatics, bioinformatics, health science, nursing science and other related subjects. Within these areas, UMIT offers research and teaching provision to the highest academic level. In the area of research UMIT institutes work with research bodies from all over the world. Students at UMIT graduate with the internationally recognised degrees of Bachelor, Master or Doctorate. International collaboration in courses, under arrangements with partner colleges, is an important feature of the educational provision at UMIT.
| No. of students: | 1.370* |
| No. of Administrative staff: | 170 |
| Funding type: | Private (non-profit) |
UMIT occupies a 6-hectare campus in the Eduard Wallnöfer Centre for Medical Innovation in Hall in Tyrol. It lies on the edge of the medieval old town of Hall in Tirol about 10 kilometres from the state capital of Innsbruck. Generous parkland and open spaces, modern teaching blocks, extensive internet access via radio LAN, a café-restaurant, various sporting facilities and a panoramic refectory all form part of this pleasant and study-friendly environment.
Other establishments offering high-quality, health-service-related education on the Eduard Wallnöfer Centre for Medical Innovation's research and education campus include the UMIT private university for health science, medical informatics and technology, the Western Training Centre (AZW), an education centre for TILAK health professionals, and also EURAK, the European Academy for Health Professionals.
UMIT Private University for Health Science, Medical Informatics and Technology
UMIT offers a university education ranging from the Baccalaureate to MSc courses and doctorates. In all of these areas, the three core pillars are health science, nursing science and biomedical informatics. In addition, UMIT offers a university course in crisis and disaster management, a university course in health care and health education and also a course for students seeking a physiotherapy qualification.
Western Training Centre (AZW) for TILAK health professionals
The AZW in Hall in Tirol offers mainly training in general health and patient care, plus psychiatric health and patient care. Working in conjunction with UMIT, the AZW offers a combined course in nursing in Hall.
EURAK – European Academy for Health Professionals
Health trainers, medical masseurs and massage therapists are trained at EURAK's Hall campus.
Campus Hotel – live and study right on the campus
As the name suggests, the Campus Hotel provides a superior grade form of accommodation with all the appointments and conveniences of a 3-star hotel. The whole building, not only architecturally in keeping, but also stylish, modern and award-winning, occupies a special setting on a university campus with open spaces, water features, gardens, parks and quiet retreats. At the same time it is located close to the historic core of the former coin and salt town, itself the holder of a coveted Council of Europe accolade.
Embark on a "journey of discovery" in the medieval town of Hall and you will find perhaps one of the finest settlements in the Tyrol. This beautifully preserved old town – it's even larger than the historic core of Innsbruck – blends perfectly with modern architectural designs, such as the Salt Warehouse, the new UMIT college and the Parkhotel.
The tasteful buildings in the old part of Hall bear witness to what was - and remains - a wealthy town: in the Middle Ages Hall became the most important trading centre in the northern Tyrol, mainly from the production of salt. During medieval times the town was also an important centre for trade on the River Inn, with the provincial mint, established in Hall in the middle of the 15th century, making a significant contribution to the town's prosperity.
Today, Hall is a vibrant town with a remarkable zest for life, where visitors will find a variety of shopping facilities and stylish hospitality between walls steeped in history. The lovingly restored Old Town and the area round the Burg Hasegg with its Mint Tower and the adjoining Coin Museum enchant visitors from all over the world. Town and country meet in a stimulating exchange at the stylish Christmas market, the Radish Festival or the Organic Mountain Farmer Festival. Cultural highlights such as the Tyrolean Easter Festival, the "Sprachsalz" literary festival and Music plus are events with reputations going way beyond the town … and then in 2004 Hall became a university town. The new Tyrolean state university of UMIT is devoted to forward-looking topics such as medical informatics and nursing science.
It became possible to establish private universities in Austria in 1999. The legal basis for such universities is provided for by the Federal Law on the Accreditation of Educational Establishments as Private Universities (University Accreditation Act - UniAkkG), Federal Law Gazette I No. 168/1999, as amended in the Federal Law Gazette I No. 54/2000.