New Academic Year Starts at USTP

As the 2026/27 academic year begins, USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten is once again seeing strong interest in its degree programmes. A total of approximately 4,500 students are currently enrolled in 33 degree programmes at the university, about 1,500 of whom are starting their first semester. This trend is particularly evident in degree programmes that combine technological, social, and health-related topics. New programmes include the bachelor in Early Childhood Education, the English-taught bachelor degree programme Creative Media Production, and – for the first time – the European “Joint Master in Applied XR” and “Joint Master in Digital Health”. Developed in collaboration with partner universities, these programmes combine diverse specialist and European perspectives with concrete fields of application.

“Students are looking for degree programmes that are academically sound and have a clear connection to their work and personal lives. Our mission is to provide them with the appropriate spaces, competencies, and networks – regional, international, and with a strong practical focus. At USTP, they learn to apply knowledge to specific problems. To this end, we are constantly refining our academic programmes and teaching formats”, say Hannes Raffaseder and Johann Haag, CEOs of USTP.

New Degree Programmes Address Current Trends

As the new academic year begins, USTP is expanding its educational offer to include the English-language bachelor degree programme in Creative Media Production, two European Joint Master programmes, and the bachelor degree programme in Early Childhood Education. The new degree programmes address the evolving nature of career paths, technologies, and societal demands.

First Joint Masters at USTP

For the first time, two European master programmes are starting at USTP: the Joint Master in Applied XR: Gamified Reality Applications for Real-world Challenges and Experiences (GRACE) and the Joint Master in Digital Health: Citizen-Centered Digital Health and Social Care. USTP is implementing these programmes in collaboration with partner universities from the European University Alliance E³UDRES²: Saxion University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), JAMK University of Applied Sciences (Finland), and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).

Students study at several universities and collaborate with lecturers and students from different countries. Particularly in the emerging fields of digital health and extended reality, collaboration among European universities is opening up new perspectives on current research and practical issues.

Creative Media Production for New Formats

The Creative Media Production programme focuses on new forms of content production for smartphones, smartwatches, and other digital devices. At the same time, students learn to critically analyse information and create media content in a thoughtful manner. Critical thinking is a central component of the programme.

More Demand for Technology, Social Sciences, and Health Sciences

Degree programmes in the fields of engineering, social sciences, and health are attracting particularly high levels of interest. In the Department of Social Sciences, the number of applications rose by 30 percent compared to the previous year, and in the Department of Health Sciences, by 14 percent. Among the degree programmes with the strongest growth are Rail Vehicle Technology (+33 percent) and Digital Innovation and Research (+30 percent). The master degree programmes in Railway Technology and Management of Railway Systems, as well as Information Security, are also in particularly high demand.

Applications for the winter semester 2027/28 can be submitted starting 1 October 2026. Prospective students can find information on all degree programmes, admission procedures, and deadlines at: www.ustp.at/en/studium 

You can find photos for download here.