What is a Master's Degree?

In the modular Bachelor / Master System the four-semester Master's programme focuses on the specialisation and the development of leadership skills and leads to the academic, internationally recognised degree "Master of Arts" or "Master of Science" or "qualified engineer" (MA or MSc or Dipl-Ing). The degree entitles graduates to undertake doctoral studies at a university, which graduates of the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria have done and been awarded "sub auspiciis" (with distinction) multiple times.

In the EU, the "Bologna system" regulates recognition and comparability of academic degrees. Non-EU countries are also oriented towards this open and transparent European higher education area. A Master's degree requires 120 ECTS credits ("European Credit Transfer System").

Entrance Requirements

Completion of a specialized, relevant Bachelor’s degree or at least the equivalent academic study at a recognized domestic or foreign post-secondary educational establishment (at least 180 ECTS - points). 

Duration of study: 4 semesters

The master’s degree programme lasts 4 semesters and leads to the title "Master" (Master of Science in Engineering, MSc; Master of Arts in Social Sciences, MA; Master of Arts in Business, MA). 
It builds on a related professional Bachelor or Diploma course and, after successful completion, makes it possible to undertake a PhD/doctoral course at a university.  

Master's thesis

The thesis (diploma), which is completed in the 4th semester, should demonstrate that the student is able to independently complete a task from the selected field of study on the basis of established procedures and scientific criteria and represent their results clearly. The thesis can also be undertaken in the framework of research and development of the University of Applied Sciences courses of studies. 

Master examination

The commissional Master examination consists of two parts: 

  • The presentation of the thesis and a discussion about the field to which the topic of the thesis belongs.
  • An examination about a further subsection which is regarded as a main focus of the course of studies.