The Austrian government has unveiled plans to address the growing demand for STEM-related education by granting an additional 350 study places for beginners at universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen or FH) across the country. This expansion will primarily benefit five key locations in Vienna, Lower Austria, and Tyrol. The selection of these universities was based on their specialization in STEM subjects and their existing capacity limitations.
Responding to the need for more opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the federal government aims to provide a total of 2,625 publicly funded places by 2027. This long-term strategy also encompasses the areas of digitalization and sustainability, ensuring that the country remains at the forefront of innovation in these fields. The chosen FHs play a crucial role in driving progress in these areas.
The 350 additional study places will be allocated among FH Technikum Wien, FH Campus Wien, IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems, FH St. Pölten, and MCI Management Center Innsbruck. The majority of these places, specifically 286 in bachelor’s programs and 64 in master’s programs, will be dedicated to computer science, recognizing its significance in the current technological landscape.
Out of the 21 universities of applied sciences in Austria, 14 institutions applied for the expansion. Minister of Education and Science, Martin Polaschek, explained that only five of them were granted additional places due to the high demand for study opportunities in those particular regions. However, he acknowledged that this situation was not uniform across the country, with approximately 14 percent of university of applied sciences places nationwide remaining unfilled.
Leaders from FH Technikum Wien, including Rector Sylvia Geyer and Managing Director Florian Eckkrammer, confirmed the overwhelming demand they have experienced at their institution in Brigittenau, Vienna. Due to limited capacity, they have had to reject numerous applicants in the past. With the addition of these new study places, they are now well-prepared to accommodate the growing number of students in the upcoming academic year. Presently, around 4,500 students are enrolled at Technikum Wien.
Christian Friesl, Head of Education and Society at the Federation of Austrian Industries, underscored the significance of expanding study places as a measure to combat the skills shortage that has been prevalent in the STEM field for several years. Friesl reported that three out of four companies have been grappling with difficulties in recruiting qualified professionals, making it imperative to address this issue by investing in education.
To support these initiatives, the federal government plans to invest a substantial amount of 1.8 billion euros in the university of applied sciences sector by 2026. This represents a significant increase of 284 million euros compared to the previous budget, reflecting a growth rate of 18.4 percent. Minister Polaschek also emphasized the availability of special funding opportunities for individual projects, with a total annual allocation of 14 million euros.
With these measures in place, Austria aims to bolster its STEM education offerings, meet the demand for skilled professionals in critical fields, and position itself as a leading hub for technological advancements and innovation. By expanding study places in universities of applied sciences, the government is taking decisive steps to shape a brighter future for the country’s workforce and industries.