How the University of Graz supports families

The Family Service at the University of Graz is the point of contact for parents and employees with care responsibilities. Photo: AdobeStock/oksix

Whether it's childcare or caring for family members, the University of Graz supports employees and students with a wide range of services. From vacation programs and playrooms to advice on care work, the university, which is certified as family-friendly, helps students and staff to balance everyday campus life and family responsibilities in a flexible and unbureaucratic way.

Almost 30,000 students and more than 4,000 people study, conduct research, and work at the University of Graz, and they are at different stages of their lives. One of the major challenges is balancing studies or work with family life. As a certified family-friendly university, the University of Graz supports employees and students with a range of services, which are bundled in its family service.

“90 percent of our inquiries concern children,” explains Julia Spiegl. Often, these inquiries are about kindergarten places. “But we can't help with that; it's a matter for state politics. The University of Graz has no influence over that.” The university itself cannot create additional kindergarten places. But during the holidays, the University of Graz offers concrete help: “Kinderspaß am Campus” (Fun for Kids on Campus) provides reliable places for employees' children, without a waiting list. “We respond to demand,” explains Spiegl.

Service for parents

Outside of the holiday season, the Family Service tries to make life with children on campus easier with numerous initiatives. Expectant parents receive a “Hello Baby” gift as a small welcome to the new phase of life. On the Family Service website, moms and dads can also find an overview map showing changing tables on campus.

The specially equipped children's room is also marked on the map. The quiet room with all kinds of toys and a small kitchen is located behind the Alumni Lecture Hall. Parents can access it without any red tape at the Family Service. A Kids Box with various activities is currently being set up for university events – so that the little ones are well entertained during conferences or congresses.

Care responsibilities

Family doesn't just mean children: those who care for relatives can also find support at the Family Service. “We see our role here as providing advice and networking,” explains the department head. “Before anyone contacts the HR department or the authorities, we offer help with the preparation. This lowers the inhibition threshold for addressing care responsibilities with managers in the first place,” says Spiegl.

Once per semester, the Family Service also offers an open round table for care topics to which all university members are invited. “There, people can exchange ideas.” The next open Table will be at 26th of March, 2026. All information and offers are available on the Family Service website.

Roman Vilgut

Related news

Dual careers: How dual career services strengthen universities

The "Dual Career Styria Carinthia" network creates prospects for academic couples and promotes equal opportunities and the attractiveness of the location. The University of Graz shows how close cooperation with business and research contributes to the successful support of professional reorientation - especially in the course of new infrastructures such as the Koralm railway.

Vice Rector Markus Fallenböck: University employees are the cornerstone of success

At the University of Graz, we work on solutions for tomorrow and educate people who will shape our future. This is possible thanks to the commitment and passion of our employees. Whether in research, teaching, or administration, the employees of the University of Graz are the cornerstone of our success. We want to create an inspiring environment for all of you, where innovation is encouraged, diversity is a given, and everyone can develop personally. In this way, we combine our individual strengths and meet the challenges of our time constructively and creatively. Markus Fallenböck, Vice-Rector for Human Resources and Digitalisation

New measurements: University of Graz researchers show what causes Greenland's glaciers to melt

Melting glaciers in the Arctic are causing sea levels to rise, threatening coastal regions. The meltwater flowing into the North Atlantic can change ocean currents such as the Gulf Stream, which have a significant influence on the climate in Europe. In order to better explain glacier retreat, a research team from the University of Graz has now analysed air temperature and weather conditions at the Flade Isblink ice cap in northern Greenland. This second-largest body of ice on the island has been increasingly losing thickness since 2008. The results have been published in the journal The Cryosphere.

Mensa Space: New learning and meeting place for students

The University of Graz and ÖH Uni Graz opened the “Mensa Space” to the public at the end of January 2026: This unique project was designed in collaboration with students and offers study areas, a lounge with snack vending machines and microwaves, as well as a gaming area and kitchen. Since January 28, the 24/7 zone will be open to all members of the University of Graz.