Launch of Rail Vehicle Technology Cooperation

In October 2025, the St. Pölten UAS will start the new dual bachelor degree programme Rail Vehicle Technology. During a dual project phase, the training partly takes place at a company. The St. Pölten UAS and the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) have now entered in close partnership by concluding a cooperation agreement.

The design of the new bachelor degree programme Rail Vehicle Technology allows students to combine working and studying. The dual organisation of the study programme establishes an even stronger link between education and professional practice than classical study programmes. The students complete project phases in partner companies. During their time with the companies, they work on finding solutions to problems identified by the companies using methods from their studies. From October 2025, a total of 20 students can be admitted each year. The students directly enter the rail industry during their studies. 

Austrian Federal Railways as Cooperation Partner

With a total of 45,000 employees, the ÖBB corporation is one of Austria’s largest employers and, therefore, the most important cooperation partner of the St. Pölten UAS for this new study programme. The dual study programme partnership was made official when the St. Pölten UAS’ Executive Directors Johann Haag and Hannes Raffaseder and Angela Steck who is Head of the Solution Centre Human Resources Development, Culture and Leadership at ÖBB signed the cooperation agreement.

“This cooperation allows us to build up and expand competencies for the future of mobility in a targeted manner. Combining scientific basics with practical experience offers the best possible foundation for this endeavour. We invest in rail vehicle personnel and thereby enhance our competitiveness in the long term,” explains Steck.

“Close collaboration with companies forms an inherent component of practice-oriented education here at the St. Pölten UAS. We look forward to establishing yet another cooperation with our longstanding partner the ÖBB within the framework of this new study programme. This dual study programme guarantees cutting-edge education at the forefront of rail technology“, say UAS Executive Directors Johann Haag and Hannes Raffaseder.

Collaboration from the Very Beginning

Railway companies such as ÖBB, manufacturers such as Siemens or administrative bodies such as the European Railway Agency ERA were strongly involved from the very beginning of the curriculum development. This ensured that current market demands are met in terms of personnel and qualifications.

Training Places in Companies

Cooperation companies offer students training places to complete their practice phase during their dual study programme. From the third semester, students have to complete one dual project at a company partner each semester. The students work and reflect on a challenge identified by a company using methods they learned during their studies. The companies provide the students with the topics and allocate them to a company supervisor, thereby supporting them in achieving their learning outcomes during their practice phase according to the curriculum.

“Not only does this allow students to immediately put to practice what they learned during their studies. Ideally, they also work on topics that the companies need to tackle anyway. This way, the students’ work at a company can be immediately recognised towards their studies”, says Frank Michelberger, Head of the St. Pölten UAS’ Department of Rail Technology and Mobility, to explain how students benefit from studying in a dual programme. 

Career Booster Rail Sector Company Fair

Companies benefit from this new dual study form as they are able to recruit highly sought-after professionals early on. The annually held Rail Sector Company Fair is a major factor in this respect with the St. Pölten UAS opening its doors to important players in the railway industry. On 28 March 2025 students and graduates will meet record numbers of 44 companies in a relaxed atmosphere at the St. Pölten UAS to discuss career opportunities. It is still possible to register for the event. 

Information on Study Programme Rail Vehicle Technology

The study programme takes six semesters. From winter semester 2025/26, a total of 20 study places are available.
Prospective students may apply until 1 June 2025. Everbody who is interested is welcome to join the online info.event on 10 April 2025.

Information on studying, the info events and the link to the application:

• Bachelor Degree Programme Rail Vehicle Technology

*subject to accreditation by AQ Austria