Do you want to gain practical experience while pursuing your education in Austria? Austria has 77 higher education institutions, including 21 universities of applied sciences, and international students account for around 30% of the country’s higher education students. If you are looking for an education that combines academic knowledge with hands-on professional training, universities of applied sciences may be a good fit.
Austria’s 21 universities of applied sciences offer approximately 640 degree programs, including about 80 programs taught entirely in English. Their main fields include business, engineering and information technology, social sciences, media and design, health sciences, and cultural sciences. This article introduces top notable universities of applied sciences in Austria and provides an overview of their programs and academic strengths.
Top Universities of Applied Sciences in Austria
| INSTITUTION NAME | FEATURED PROGRAMS OR STUDY AREAS |
|---|
| FHWien der WKW – University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication | Corporate Communication and Urban Tourism & Visitor Economy Management |
| UAS Technikum Wien | Biomedical Engineering and Medical Engineering & eHealth |
| University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt | Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, and MedTech |
| University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria | Informatics, Communications and Media; Medical Engineering & Applied Social Sciences; Business & Management; and Engineering |
| University of Applied Sciences Burgenland | Business, Energy & Environment, Health & Social Affairs, and Information Technology |
| Salzburg University of Applied Sciences | Green Engineering, Health Sciences, and Innovation & Management in Tourism |
| FH Joanneum – University of Applied Sciences | Sound Design, eHealth, and Engineering |
1. University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Featured Programs: Corporate Communication and Urban Tourism & Visitor Economy Management
FHWien der WKW has offered practice-oriented higher education since 1994. Its owners are the Vienna Economic Chamber and the Vienna Merchants’ Fund, supporting the institution’s strong focus on management, communication, and cooperation with the business community.
Students can choose programs such as the Bachelor’s program in Corporate Communication and the Master’s program in Urban Tourism & Visitor Economy Management. Both programs are taught entirely in English. Depending on the program, practical learning may include company projects, case studies, field trips, expert talks, and professional internships.
2. UAS Technikum Wien (Vienna)
Founded in 1994, UAS Technikum Wien specializes in technology and digitalization. It is Austria’s largest university of applied sciences devoted exclusively to technical subjects, with more than 4,700 students enrolled in over 30 bachelor’s and master’s programs.
Current study options include the Bachelor’s program in Biomedical Engineering and the English-taught Master’s program in Medical Engineering & eHealth. Its degree programs combine a scientific foundation with practical training, research projects, internships, and cooperation with industry. Students may also pursue international mobility opportunities, while career events connect students and graduates with prospective employers.
3. University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt
The University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt (FHWN) began offering higher education in 1994. It now operates study locations in Wiener Neustadt, Wieselburg, Tulln, Vienna, and Salzburg. Its academic portfolio covers business, engineering, health, sport, and security.
FHWN offers bachelor’s and master’s programs in German or English. Current English-taught options include Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Business Consultancy International, Global Business Leadership, and MedTech – Functional Imaging, Conventional & Ion Radiotherapy. The university also maintains an international network of partner institutions and serves students from numerous countries.
4. University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Featured Study Areas: Informatics, Communications and Media; Medical Engineering & Applied Social Sciences; Business & Management; and Engineering
The University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria organizes its programs across four faculties and campuses: Informatics, Communications and Media in Hagenberg; Medical Engineering & Applied Social Sciences in Linz; Business & Management in Steyr; and Engineering in Wels.
The university offers more than 70 bachelor’s and master’s programs, including a selection taught entirely in English. Its programs emphasize practical learning, modern facilities, applied research, industry connections, and opportunities for professional networking.
5. University of Applied Sciences Burgenland
If you are looking for a combination of theory and practical training, the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland offers bachelor’s and master’s programs through four academic departments: Business, Energy & Environment, Health & Social Affairs, and Information Technology.
The university maintains international partnerships and participates Social Affairs, and Information Technology.
The university maintains international partnerships and participates in a jointly sponsored visiting-professor program with Fulbright Austria. Depending on the program, students may complete professional internships, while the university’s career service provides an internship database, webinars, and training on applications and job searches.
6. Salzburg University of Applied Sciences
- Admissions
- Featured Programs and Study Areas: Green Engineering, Health Sciences, and Innovation & Management in Tourism
Salzburg University of Applied Sciences offers bachelor’s, master’s, postgraduate, and continuing education options across areas such as applied social sciences, business and tourism, creative technologies, design and green engineering, health sciences, and information technologies. Graduates also receive a diploma supplement, an additional document intended to improve the international transparency and recognition of their qualifications.
Current options include the Bachelor’s program in Green Engineering, programs in health sciences, and bachelor’s and master’s programs in business and tourism. Applied learning and research are supported by facilities such as the Smart Factory Lab and the eTourism Lab. Students may also participate in exchanges and internships through the university’s international partner network.
7. FH Joanneum – University of Applied Sciences
- Admissions
- Featured Programs: Sound Design, eHealth, and Engineering
FH Joanneum offers more than 50 bachelor’s and master’s programs. Its six academic departments cover applied computer sciences; building, environment and society; engineering; health studies; management and business; and media and design. Programs are available in formats that include full-time, part-time, work-friendly, and cooperative study.
Its current programs include Sound Design at the master’s level and eHealth at the bachelor’s level. Sound Design is offered through the Department of Media and Design, while eHealth combines digital technology with healthcare applications. FH Joanneum also links teaching with applied research, industry cooperation, and multidisciplinary projects.
Austria is an attractive destination for students interested in universities of applied sciences because of its higher education options, international student community, and professionally oriented programs. Many institutions also maintain international partnerships that support student exchanges, internships, and collaborative projects.
We hope this article on the top universities of applied sciences in Austria was informative. You can also check out the Austria Page and Available Programs for International Students!
