This question kicked off a challenging practical project in the bachelor’s degree program Real Estate. The students were tasked with developing a concrete investment strategy for an institutional investor. Around €100 million was to be invested in real estate by the end of 2026.
The project was supervised by Jenni Wenkel MRICS, Chair of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in Austria and CIO of Union Investment Real Estate Austria, and Carmen Dilch MSc MRICS, head of the degree program. The students took on the role of experts and spent a semester developing well-founded recommendations for Union Investment Austria.
The focus was on a comprehensive analysis of different asset classes, regions, and countries. The aim was to allocate capital strategically. The students not only examined potential investment opportunities but also assessed market opportunities and risks in a realistic and comprehensible manner.
Throughout the 2025/26 winter semester, the project groups analyzed current market trends, demographic developments, and economic conditions. Based on this, they developed concrete strategies and professionally prepared their findings.
The pitch as real life test
On January 13, 2026, the groups presented their concepts in a final pitch. They presented coherent arguments, justified their investment decisions, and critically examined potential challenges. In doing so, they demonstrated both professional competence and confidence in their presentations and reasoning.
“The students have shown that they can analyze complex market conditions in a structured manner and derive viable investment strategies from them. The results are convincing in terms of substance, realism, and strategic thinking. This level makes me very confident about the future of the industry,” said Jenni Wenkel, who was very pleased with the project.
Practical projects like this combine scientific approaches with real market requirements. They prepare students specifically for responsible tasks in the real estate industry and create clear added value for all involved.
>> More information about the Bachelor`s study program Real Estate