New Study Programme for Booming Railway Sector

Austria is the fourth-largest rail export nation in the world, and the Austrians are among the most enthusiastic train users in Europe. Innovative trains are one key reason for this success. With the dual bachelor degree programme Rail Vehicle Technology, the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences will offer the perfect education for the development of modern rail vehicles as of the winter semester 2025/26. During the dual project phases, the students will acquire some of their know-how directly in the partner companies.

“Modern rail vehicles are in great demand, so this field offers plenty of opportunities for young people looking to pursue a meaningful career. Apart from the needs that arise from a growth in demand, digitalisation and sustainability also require continuous further development. The graduates are involved in developing the passenger and freight transport vehicles of tomorrow”, explains Frank Michelberger, Head of the Department of Rail Technology and Mobility at the St. Pölten UAS.

Rail vehicles have a very long service life of frequently over 40 years, which means that a lot more people are involved in their operation, maintenance, and upgrade than in their planning or construction. The new study programme covers this entire life cycle.

Dual Study Programme: Studying and Working Combined

The bachelor degree programme Rail Vehicle Technology has a part-time and dual structure, which means that studying and working are even more closely interwoven than in traditional study programmes. The students complete project phases in the cooperating companies where they work on questions pertaining to the company using methods acquired at the university. There are two ways of going about this:

Option 1

Option 2 

Starting from the third semester, the students work on the practical company projects at their employer companies for about two months per semester, while continuing to study at the same time. However, there are no classes during these internship periods.

Admission with Apprenticeship Possible

In order to be admitted to this study programme, applicants do not necessarily need a “Matura” or “Studienberechtigungsprüfung” (certificate of university entrance qualification). With a subject-relevant apprenticeship and professional activity, combined with certain additional exams, it is possible to enter the programme directly. The preparatory courses are starting in January 2025.

Practice-Oriented Teaching: Simulations and Field Trips

In the raiLAB of the St. Pölten UAS, the students have modern software for the planning and construction of train timetables and vehicle schedules, the simulation of vehicles’ driving dynamics and energy consumption, and the development of vehicle layouts at their disposal. In a simulation, they train the operation of a locomotive under professional supervision.

Field trips take the students to vehicle manufacturers, workshops, locomotive simulation training, and – certainly a highlight – to the world’s biggest railway fair: the Innotrans in Berlin.

“With our new study programme, we strengthen the focus of the St. Pölten UAS on academic railway education even further”, says Frank Michelberger who is pleased with this prospect. “In addition to our much sought-after existing rail technology programmes, we can now tap into a new thematic range and also strike new cooperation paths with this dual study programme.”

Company Fair of the Railway Industry

For companies, the new study format has the advantage that they can recruit urgently needed experts early on. The Company Fair of the Railway Industry provides support by bringing the “who is who” of the railway sector to the St. Pölten UAS once every year. At the next fair on 28 March 2025, students, graduates, and companies will have the opportunity to talk career prospects in a relaxed atmosphere once again.

Information on the Programme

The study programme takes six semesters. Starting from the winter semester 2025/26, up to 20 new students are accepted every year. Prospective students have until 01/06/2025 to apply for a place.

Here you can find more information about the study programme:

• info.events (online) - please register:
  • 23/01/2025
  • 10/04/2025
• On 14/03/2025, information on this as well as all other study programmes of the St. Pölten UAS will be presented at the open.day.
• At any time: All information about the Rail Vehicle Technology study programme and the application process

¹subject to accreditation by AQ Austria