New Study Programme for the Future of Sound and Image

The world is constantly changing – socially, ecologically, and technologically. Now more than ever, the media determine how we see the world and how we participate in what is happening in the world: from our own smartphone to large-scale displays, from private spaces to public and societal ones.

In the English-taught bachelor degree programme Creative Media Production¹, students develop competencies for professional sound and image production with cultural and social sensitivity.

Solid and Practically Relevant Competencies

From the autumn of 2026, the bachelor degree programme Creative Media Production¹ will impart solid practical skills in the design-related, technical, and digital production of sound and images. “Graduates will be excellently prepared for designing and managing media productions in the field of sound, image, and immersive formats and for analysing their sociopolitical relevance – from idea to implementation, including new roles in digital storytelling, AI-assisted workflows, and responsible media design”, says Academic Director Marcel Sagesser.

The programme has a focus on reflective competence as well as critical and analytical thinking. A thorough understanding of the social and cultural contexts of media and content production prepares the students for future-proof international careers in the media world.

Keeping Pace with Technology

The study programme positions graduates at the intersection of upcoming technologies and creative media production. They work with AI-supported, algorithmic, and digital tools to develop modern audiovisual content for film, sound, social media, cultural formats, and media environments.

State-of-the-Art Infrastructure

Content production with mobile devices, for example for social media, websites, podcasts, exhibitions, and other purposes is at the centre of the study programme. The use of artificial intelligence is also part of the education.

The students have access to studios and labs with modern equipment around the clock, seven days a week – including professional, high-quality equipment for the execution of projects.

Diverse Career Prospects

The career prospects of the future graduates look promising. They include established and current professions such as sound & image media design, content creation (audio/video/photo/editing), videography, media production, sound & audio design, podcast journalism, and video & motion design.

However, the programme also prepares students for future professional fields including AI-supported narrative design (storytelling), experience design in art, culture & visitor experiences, exhibition design, ethics counselling for immersive production, and research on critical media.

Future Competencies for a Career in Media

Beyond technical expertise, the students develop the creative and analytical skills demanded by today’s media landscape. They gain insights into media law, democracy, global perspectives, and media history and they learn to critically analyse how the media shape society and the public discourse. This enables the students to design responsible, well-reflected, and impactful content.

New Module “Virtual Production” in the Bachelor Media Technology

There is news from the existing USTP bachelor degree programme Media Technology as well. Since this semester, the programme has been offering the elective subject Virtual Production where students experience this new technology up close and combine real and virtual elements. In doing so, they acquire competencies that are much in demand in today’s industry.

The elective module gives future media technicians the opportunity to independently carry out the entire production process: from concept design through detailed planning to its final implementation. Working with the film industry’s state-of-the-art technologies – as increasingly used in the big international productions – is at the heart of the module.

Under the supervision of Felix Blasinger, the students of the new elective module recently implemented a complex music video in Frames Studio in collaboration with Austrian set designer Hannes Salat. 

open.day and info.events

Interested persons can obtain information on both programmes as well as all other study programmes of USTP at the open.day on 20 March 2026.

On 8 April, there will be an online info.event specifically for the new study programme Creative Media Production¹. 

• Details regarding the info.events and all study programmes of USTP are available at: ustp.at/info.
• All information on the study programme Creative Media Production¹ and link to the online application
• Study programme Media Technology

¹ subject to accreditation by AQ Austria