Successful Business Year 2025

USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten concludes the business year 2025 with extremely positive results: Record numbers of students and staff highlight the institution’s continued growth course. Under its new name “Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften“, or USTP, the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten clearly signals its further development and international profile. A diverse and steadily growing range of study programmes, excellent applied research, and strong partnerships are decisively responsible for this development. As the coordinator of the European University Alliance E³UDRES² and one of the initiators of the European Campus Hainburg, USTP creates prominent impulses for the higher education area of the future – regionally anchored, with national impact and Europe-wide networks. 2026 marks the institution’s 30th anniversary.

Growing Student and Staff Numbers

More than 4,200 students are currently enrolled in academic studies at USTP – in 30 degree programmes and numerous continuing education programmes. The number of full-time employees has grown to over 530, complemented by more than 1,000 part-time lecturers from the realm of professional practice. This makes USTP one of the most important employers in the region.

USTP is solidly positioned in economic terms as well: Total revenues increased by 6 percent to 53.6 million EUR in 2025, while research revenues grew 24 percent to approximately 7.4 million EUR.

“USTP has evolved into a strong and future-oriented higher education institution. This steady growth shows the lasting impact of our practically relevant study programmes, our research prowess, and our close ties with the business sector and society”, says CEO Johann Haag.

Strong Impulses for the Region and Economy

St. Pölten’s Mayor Matthias Stadler stresses the importance of USTP for the town: “With the new brand name and a new all-time high in student numbers, USTP consistently pursued its successful development last year and further reinforced St. Pölten as a university location. International awards, new study programmes, and even closer ties with higher education institutions throughout Europe attest to this positive dynamic. I am convinced that USTP will continue on this path in the year of its 30th anniversary as well.”

As a university with a strong research focus, USTP implemented almost 170 research projects last year – many of them together with companies, institutions, and international partners.

“The close collaboration with companies and institutions is a decisive success factor for USTP. Not only does it facilitate practice-oriented education for our students – it also creates the necessary framework for application-oriented research and innovation with direct benefit for society”, emphasises CEO Hannes Raffaseder.

A particular highlight is the new AI Living Lab which was opened in April. It pools high-performance AI applications, connects infrastructure and expertise, and reinforces the dialogue between science, business, and the public as an open meeting space.

European Perspective and New Locations

With the European University Alliance E³UDRES², USTP is actively involved in shaping the future of the European Higher Education Area. Together with new partner universities, USTP develops new educational formats, research cooperations, and mobility models. And as the coordinating institution, it plays a special role at the European level.

“As the coordinator of E³UDRES², we actively design new forms of European collaboration in higher education, research, and innovation. The alliance opens up new vistas for students, employees, and partner organisations, thus enhancing our international visibility in the long term”, explains Hannes Raffaseder.

Another lighthouse project is the European Campus Hainburg (ECH) – a new knowledge hub with international impact currently in the making. USTP plays a leading role in this endeavour: Starting from the winter semester 2028/29, the institution will launch new educational offers there. Once fully completed, the ECH is to offer degree programmes and continuing education programmes for approximately 500 students.

“The European Campus Hainburg is our chance to develop an innovative site for education and research whose impact will be felt throughout Europe. Building on the experiences and networks of our European University E³UDRES², we will give room to talents, new ideas, and solutions to society’s future challenges together with strong partners”, adds Raffaseder.

Further information:

• AI Living Lab: Launch of New AI Living Lab — USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten
• European University Alliance E³UDRES²: Engaged and Entrepreneurial European University as Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions | E³UDRES²
• European Campus Hainburg: European Campus Hainburg | E³UDRES²