New Record for First-Year Students

According to the Ministry of Education, 48,600 regular new admissions were registered, which represents an increase of 4.6 percent compared to the previous winter semester. The previous high was during the "Corona peak" in 2020/21 with 48,300. After this exceptional increase, the number fell back to 44,900. Recently, record levels were also reached in the proportion of exam-active studies at universities.

Increase in First-Year Students at Both Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences

In the academic year 2023/24, almost two-thirds (64 percent) completed at least 16 ECTS credits per academic year, whereas in 2016/17, the proportion of exam-active studies was still at 57 percent. The Ministry of Education attributes the increase, among other things, to the switch to student-related, capacity-oriented university financing in 2019. Since then, the number of exam-active students has been an indicator for budget allocation. Additionally, the performance agreements emphasize measures for better study conditions. Due to the personnel initiative from 2019 to 2021 - 500 additional professorships or equivalent positions were created - the supervision ratios have also improved, from a calculated 1:39 in the academic year 2017/18 to recently 1:34, according to the ministry.

Universities of Applied Sciences: Significant Increase in Graduations

A significant increase in the number of first-year students was also expected at the universities of applied sciences due to the expansion of study places. According to the ministry, there were recently 23,600 regular first-year students, 13 percent more than in the winter semester 2018 (almost 21,000). The focus of the nearly 3,000 additional beginner places funded by the federal government since then has been on mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology (STEM). Even more pronounced than at universities, the increase in graduations at universities of applied sciences was significant, specifically between 2016/17 and 2023/24 by one-fifth to nearly 17,000. Education Minister Martin Polaschek (ÖVP) saw the higher education system "on a successful course" in light of these figures. With investments such as the expansion of universities of applied sciences, the improvement of supervision ratios at universities, or the expansion of study grants, "an attractive and supportive environment for ambitious students" was created in the past legislative period.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.