FAQ

Who is this degree program suitable for?

The master’s program is designed for graduates of social sciences, cultural studies, health sciences, education, and business programs who wish to explore disability, diversity, and digital technologies. It is also particularly aimed at graduates of technical degree programs who wish to expand their knowledge of social, cultural, and ethical perspectives.

What will I learn in the DDD program?

You will explore Disability & Diversity Studies, digitalization, ethics, human rights, and technology assessment. Other topics include assistive technologies, augmentative and alternative communication, digital literacy, and inclusive and participatory research approaches. In the process, you will learn to integrate social, cultural, and technical perspectives.

What sets this program apart from other master's programs?

The program consists of approximately 75 percent social and cultural studies content and approximately 25 percent technology-related content. It focuses on the social opportunities and risks of digitalization, as well as the inclusive and user-centered design of digital technologies.

What are assistive technologies?

Assistive technologies help people with disabilities, for example, in their daily lives, with communication, learning, and in their professional lives. During your studies, you’ll explore their potential applications and their inclusive, user-centered design.

What role do human rights and ethics play in unniversity?

Human rights, ethics, and technology assessment are central components of the program. You will learn to critically evaluate digital developments and consider their impact on participation, self-determination, and equal opportunity.

How are those affected involved in projects?

The program takes a participatory approach. People with diverse experiences and needs are involved in research and development processes so that digital solutions are designed not for, but together with, the users.

Do I need any prior technical knowledge?

No. For people without a technical background, the program starts right where you are now.

• Digital fundamentals are introduced as early as the first semester: computers, the Internet, social media, and smart systems—built on everyday knowledge, not prior education.
• All technical content is linked to assistive technologies from the very beginning—you’ll learn about technology in the contexts where it has a tangible impact on people with disabilities.
• The goal is understanding, not coding: You’ll learn to evaluate digital systems, identify opportunities, and pinpoint risks.
• The program is deliberately designed for beginners from the social sciences, education, law, health, and many other fields.

How exactly is technology used in university courses?

Practical, hands-on, and no programming knowledge required—in the Skills Lab, you’ll design and evaluate real assistive tools.

• In the Skills Lab (LaborLV), you’ll work, for example, with an innovative open-source tool for augmentative and alternative communication—AsTeRICS Grid—which is intuitive for everyone to use, even without any prior technical experience, and develop prototypes to support communication at school, in the workplace, or in a hospital.
• The goal isn’t to develop software or hardware, but to design, test, and refine low-threshold assistive concepts.
• You’ll evaluate prototypes from three perspectives: usability (How easy is it to use?), accessibility (Is it accessible to everyone?), and ethics (What values underlie it?).
• This judgment—not programming skills—is what counts in creative and consulting professions.

How is technology approached from an interdisciplinary perspective?

Technology is never viewed in isolation—it is always considered in relation to law, society, ethics, and disability studies.
Technical content is consistently linked to social science, legal, and ethical perspectives—as a unified whole, not as separate disciplines.

• Specific cross-cutting topics: data protection in assistive apps, algorithmic bias (when AI disadvantages certain groups), digital inclusion in the workplace, in social services, among older adults, and in art and culture.
• The legal framework for digitalization—e.g., accessibility laws, the GDPR, or the European Accessibility Act—is directly linked to its societal impacts.
• The result is a hybrid program: neither a pure computer science degree nor a pure social science degree—but a program that is increasingly in demand in practice, consulting, and research.

Is it possible to pursue this degree while working?

Yes, the DDD master’s program is designed to be pursued while working. The high proportion of online learning, intensive course blocks, and periods of self-study allow for flexible planning of your studies. Approximately 75 to 80 percent of instruction takes place online. One block week of in-person classes is scheduled per semester at the Klagenfurt campus. In addition, self-study plays an important role in allowing students to independently deepen their understanding of the material covered.

When are the classes held?

The online courses are held about twice a month. Classes are held on Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., on Fridays from 12:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In addition, there is one in-person intensive week per semester on the Klagenfurt campus.

Can I complete the master's program from abroad?

Yes, because a large portion of the program is online, you can easily complete the degree while studying abroad. Each semester, there is a one-week in-person session on the Klagenfurt campus.

How long does the program last, and what degree will I receive?

The master's program in Disability, Diversity & Digitalization lasts four semesters and comprises 120 ECTS credits. Upon successful completion, students are awarded the academic degree "Master of Arts in Social Sciences" (MA).

In what language are the courses taught?

Classes are taught primarily in German and, to some extent, in English. A distinctive feature of the DDD master’s program is a semester taught primarily in English, which promotes international and interdisciplinary exchange.

Is the program practical?

Yes, theory and practice are closely linked. You’ll work on specific projects, sometimes in collaboration with partners from various industries. In the Disability & Diversity Skills Lab, as well as in your own research and development projects, you’ll test concepts and digital solutions in real-world application contexts.

Can I choose my own areas of focus during my studies?

Yes, you can choose your own areas of focus in four required elective tracks. The options include disability, diversity, and digitalization in the arts and culture, in social services and education, in aging, and in the workplace.

What career opportunities does this degree program offer?

Possible areas of expertise include:

• Inclusion and Diversity Consulting
• Disability & Diversity Management
• Technical Consulting
• Product Development
• Inclusive digitalization, as well as education, training, and continuing education

Other career paths include research, teaching, inclusive education, consulting, project management, and social or digital entrepreneurship.

What are the requirements, and how can I apply?

• A completed bachelor's degree program at a university of applied sciences or a university
• or completion of an equivalent degree program at a recognized domestic or foreign postsecondary educational institution. These include, among others:
  • Social Sciences, Humanities, and Cultural Studies (e.g., DDS, Social Work, Inclusive Education, Gender Studies, Media and Art)
  • Health and nursing professions or health sciences/medicine
  • Information Technology (Health Informatics, Engineering, Media Technology, etc.)

Applications are submitted online via the CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences application portal. As part of the admissions process, applicants will be invited to a personal admissions interview.

What sets studying at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences apart?

The master’s program combines disability and diversity studies with digitalization, ethics, and technology assessment. Perspectives from the social and cultural sciences are integrated with foundational technical knowledge. There is a particular emphasis on the inclusive, participatory, and user-centered design of digital technologies. Through required electives, hands-on projects, and the high proportion of online coursework, you can tailor your studies to your individual needs and pursue them while working.

How much does the DDD master's program cost?

Tuition is €363.36 per semester, plus the applicable ÖH fee. For students from non-EU countries, tuition will be €500 per semester starting in the winter semester of 2026.