Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Burgenland

About Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Burgenland

The university began in 1993, when a founding team selected Eisenstadt and Pinkafeld as its two locations. Bachelor’s and master’s programmes were introduced in 2004 as part of the Bologna structure. In 2024, the institution replaced the German designation Fachhochschule Burgenland with Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Burgenland while retaining institutional continuity. Its official English rendering remains University of Applied Sciences Burgenland. The institution is organized as a GmbH wholly owned by Landesholding Burgenland, which is itself owned by the Province of Burgenland. This public ownership and its status within Austria’s accredited university-of-applied-sciences sector distinguish it from the separately branded research and continuing-education entities in its wider group. Teaching is distributed between two campuses rather than concentrated in one city. The academic organization comprises Business Studies, Information Technology, Energy and Environment, and Health and Social Sciences. The university also maintains units for research, international affairs, innovative teaching, study preparation, libraries and career-related services. The model is professionally oriented and includes different scheduling formats. Some programmes are full-time, while others are part-time, extended part-time or designed to accommodate employment. Applicants therefore need to investigate the exact programme rather than assume that every subject follows the same timetable, language or campus pattern. The current catalogue and 2026/2027 application pages show an operating institution actively enrolling students.

Applications for 2026/2027 are submitted through the university’s online system. Availability is programme-specific: as of August 20, 2026, the university lists some programmes as closed and others as accepting applications until further notice. Applicants should therefore use the live programme table rather than rely on a single institution-wide closing date. Applicants from countries outside the EU and EEA, with Switzerland treated as an exception, face a stated March 15 deadline. Bachelor’s applicants normally qualify through an Austrian school-leaving qualification or an accepted equivalent, a university-entrance or vocational-matriculation examination, or a preparatory route followed by the required additional examination. Master’s applicants need at least three years of completed study at a recognized domestic or foreign post-secondary institution. Individual master’s programmes may also require specified prior subject credits. Every programme has an admission procedure, but its structure varies. Depending on the degree, selection may involve an interview, a written test or, for some master’s programmes, a short presentation based on a case study. Programme pages provide the controlling details. International applicants from third countries must upload identity documents, a CV, motivation letter, relevant school or university credentials and transcripts. Documents not issued in German or English require certified translation. Apostille or full diplomatic legalization may also be necessary, depending on the issuing country. Most programmes require German at B2 or above, with only the university’s named exceptions exempt from that general rule.

The degree portfolio is divided among four broad areas: business, information technology, energy and environment, and health and social sciences. The official catalogue lists bachelor’s and master’s programmes and allows students to filter by subject, award level, organizational format, location and whether applications remain open. Examples visible in the current catalogue include Applied Electronics and Photonics, Building and Energy Technology, Biomedical Sciences and International Sustainable Business, but availability and admission status vary by programme. Delivery formats are a significant academic differentiator. The university offers full-time, part-time, extended part-time and work-compatible study, depending on the course. This makes it possible to identify programmes structured around employment, but it does not mean that every degree can be completed in every format. Applicants should review the programme page for attendance blocks, curriculum, entry requirements and campus assignment. The two campuses have distinct facilities. Eisenstadt provides lecture halls, seminar and computer rooms, a library, a sensory laboratory and a media laboratory. Pinkafeld’s expanded campus, presented as opening in 2026, includes lecture and seminar rooms, laboratories, SkillsLabs and a library. The Pinkafeld site retains specialist infrastructure in building, energy and environmental technology, while health programmes also make use of practical training facilities. Most degree programmes require German proficiency at B2 level or above. The university’s 2026/2027 admissions page names limited exceptions, including International Sustainable Business and European Studies – Management of EU Projects. Students should verify both the teaching language and any programme-specific language evidence before applying.

Key Highlights

• Publicly owned through Landesholding Burgenland
• Two campuses: Eisenstadt and Pinkafeld
• Operating under its current German name since 2024
• Founded in 1993

Student Life & Environment

Student experience is divided between a small provincial capital and a smaller regional town. Both campuses have canteens, and the university provides libraries and on-campus study facilities. The Eisenstadt building includes recreation areas, computer rooms and a directly connected residence. Its neighboring ÖJAB residence advertises 272 places, furnished room types, communal kitchens, internet connections and shared leisure facilities. Housing is operated by external providers, so students must apply separately and confirm current prices and availability. Housing around Pinkafeld requires closer planning. The university’s accommodation page states that the Pinkafeld student residence is being renovated and is expected to reopen in September 2029. It points students toward furnished small flats, private accommodation, hotel-based long-term options and a residence in Oberschützen. Prospective students should not assume that the former Pinkafeld residence is currently available. The wider student network includes the student union and an alumni association. Students can join the alumni network without a membership fee while studying, providing access to networking and related activities. International and exchange students can obtain mobility guidance, while the university recommends German at B2 for participation in German-taught courses. Campus choice will materially shape housing, commuting and leisure options, so it should form part of the programme decision.

Location & Surroundings

Eisenstadt is the capital of Burgenland and the institution’s legal address. The campus is on the southern side of the city, with shops, restaurants and fitness facilities within walking distance. The university describes local access to cultural and sporting amenities, while Lake Neusiedl is approximately 15 minutes away. A residence is directly beside the campus, reducing the need to commute for students who secure a place. Pinkafeld lies farther south in Burgenland and hosts programmes and facilities particularly associated with energy, environment and health. Its expanded 2026 campus covers lecture rooms, laboratories, SkillsLabs and library space. The town offers sports and leisure facilities, and Bad Tatzmannsdorf’s thermal-spa area is about ten kilometres away. Both locations provide parking, but students relying on public transport should examine schedules against their programme timetable, especially for evening, weekend or employment-compatible formats. The campuses are not interchangeable: each programme has an assigned location, and housing conditions differ substantially. Eisenstadt has adjacent purpose-built student accommodation, whereas Pinkafeld students currently need alternatives while the local student residence is renovated.

Costs & Career Outcomes

The university states that it currently charges no tuition for its bachelor’s or master’s degree programmes. Students must nevertheless pay the Austrian National Union of Students contribution each semester; the amount is set externally and should be checked on the union’s current page. The university also collects a €350 deposit during admission. It refunds the deposit to active students after the first semester and in the stated case where entry requirements are not completed before the programme begins; otherwise, it may be forfeited. These figures do not represent the full cost of attendance. Students need to budget separately for accommodation, food, transport, insurance or residence requirements, learning materials and other personal expenses. The university does not publish a single comprehensive cost-of-attendance figure on the cited page. Housing costs also depend on campus and provider, and Pinkafeld students may face a different market while the local residence is under renovation. Eligible Austrian citizens and foreign or stateless students with equivalent status may apply for Austrian study grants. The university also awards achievement scholarships, with application information distributed to students annually. Career support includes a portal where students and alumni can create a profile, upload a CV and engage with the university’s Career Service. A mentoring programme connects students and graduates with experienced alumni for industry and career discussions. These services are useful pathways, but the reviewed sources do not provide verified placement rates, salary outcomes or guarantees of employment.