Study Program
Highlights
- Easily balanced with a full-time job: Fixed class schedules, on-campus dates announced well in advance, and 60 % online lectures create a reliable framework for working professionals.
- Academically challenging and application-oriented: You’ll tackle real-world innovation challenges, conduct scientifically sound research, develop solutions and evaluate their impact.
- Prepared for the next generation of technology: You’ll work with currently relevant digital technologies—such as machine learning, generative AI and agentic AI—and learn to independently explore future technologies as well.
- Collaboration and leadership in diverse teams as a future skill: You’ll complete about 80 % of the program alongside students in the Master’s program in Digital Technology & Innovation. In teams that are diverse in terms of academic background, professional experience and personal backgrounds, you’ll learn to incorporate different perspectives, structure collaboration so that everyone can contribute their skills, and — depending on your role — take on responsibility and leadership.
Organization
Type of degree program
Part-time (PT)
The program is specifically designed for working professionals—including those who work full-time while studying.
- 60 % of the lectures takes place online (on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6:30 pm).
- 40 % of the lectures is concentrated into eight on-campus weekends per semester (Fridays starting at 3:45 pm and Saturdays starting at 8:30 am).
Online lectures reduce commuting time and make it easier to balance work and study. The days spent together on campus provide opportunities for intensive project work, personal interaction and team building among the student teams.
Language of instruction
The languages of instruction are German and English. To succeed in the program, you must have at least a C1 level of proficiency in both languages.
You may choose to complete presentations, written assignments and oral exams in either German or English.
Study abroad
2nd semester: international excursion lasting several days
4th semester: In certain cases, students may have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in connection with their Master’s thesis.
Start of the degree program
Always at the beginning of the winter semester in September
Place of study
wko campus wien, Währinger Gürtel 97, 1180 Vienna
(U6 metro station Währinger Straße/Volksoper)
Application
Information events
To the dates of the information events
Application procedure
- Deadlines & Dates
- Specific admission requirements MA Digital Innovation
- Specific admissions procedure MA Digital Innovation
Costs
- Tuition fee: € 363.36 per semester (excl. Austrian students’ union fee)
- Travel and accommodation costs in connection with the international excursion lasting several days
Focus & Qualifications
The Master’s program in Digital Innovation combines — what are often taught separately or side by side in traditional programs — skills in the fields of digital technology, innovation and management.
The academic rigor of the program is evident not only in the content taught but, above all, in the approach to learning: You will research the current state of knowledge, examine real-world problems, develop scientifically sound solutions and evaluate their impact.
In this way, you will learn to translate technological possibilities into economically, organizationally and socially viable innovations.
Use of Digital Technology
Digital technologies evolve faster than individual tools and platforms. That’s why, during your studies, you won’t just learn how to use current technologies. You’ll acquire the ability to
- independently familiarize yourself with new and cutting-edge areas of technology,
- assess the functionality, potential, limitations and risks of digital technologies,
- formulate requirements for digital products, services and processes,
- collaborate with technical experts as an equal,
- take on coordinating roles—such as Product Owner—in the agile development of prototypes and
- contribute to technology selection and technology decisions from economic, organizational and user-centered perspectives.
Depending on current technological developments, different areas of focus are established, for example in the fields of artificial intelligence, data-driven systems and cloud technologies.
Innovation
You will learn to take on responsibility for complex and interdisciplinary innovation projects.
In real-world project settings with companies or research partners
- you will investigate the needs of users and other stakeholders,
- research existing findings and potential solutions,
- develop innovative solutions using agile and user-centered methods,
- work as a team to implement selected solutions as prototypes,
- test and evaluate key assumptions and
- plan the market launch from economic, organizational and technical perspectives.
In doing so, you will, among other things, apply design thinking methods, use data as an economic asset and develop your innovation networks.
Management
In addition to ideas and technology, digital innovation also requires sound economic and strategic decisions.
You will learn to apply specialized management tools in the following areas:
- Innovation management
- Strategic management and transformation
- Human resources management and change leadership
- Business planning
Particular emphasis is placed on decision-making in situations characterized by technological change, uncertainty and rapid change.
Personal and Social Competencies
In practice, digital innovation almost always emerges from teams whose members bring together diverse knowledge, professional experience and ways of thinking.
Students in the Master’s program in Digital Innovation complete approximately 80 % of their lectures alongside students in the Master’s program in Digital Technology & Innovation.
As a student in the Digital Innovation Master’s program, you will contribute economic, strategic and user-centered perspectives in particular. At the same time, you will learn to understand technical possibilities and limitations and to develop viable solutions in collaboration with technically trained team members.
In the collaborative teams, you will learn to
- incorporate technical, professional and personal perspectives into problem analysis, solution development and joint decision-making,
- bridge the gap between different technical languages, interests, experiences and working styles,
- make roles, goals and decision-making processes transparent,
- foster collaboration in which all team members can contribute their perspectives and skills,
- handle feedback and conflicts constructively, and
- take responsibility even in the face of uncertainty, time pressure and differing opinions, as well as — depending on your role — facilitate and lead teams.
In doing so, you’ll develop a key future skill: the ability to translate professional diversity into collective innovation.
The Master’s program in Digital Innovation combines business experience with an understanding of technology, innovation expertise and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Curriculum
The curriculum takes you from the technological and methodological fundamentals to an independent research and innovation project over the course of four semesters.
In the first semester, you’ll build a shared foundation. In the second semester, you’ll tackle a real-world innovation challenge. In the third semester, you’ll develop a prototype based on that challenge and plan its launch. In the fourth semester, you’ll apply the skills you’ve acquired to your Master’s thesis—typically with a focus on your own professional context.
A large portion of the modules is conducted in conjunction with the Master’s program in Digital Technology & Innovation. This allows you to experience interdisciplinary collaboration not just as a theoretical concept, but as a consistent way of working.
ECTS Overview
Digital technology modules – 30 ECTS
Interdisciplinary modules on innovation – 36 ECTS
Module on specific management topics – 18 ECTS
Research and development modules – 30 ECTS
Final overall exam – 6 ECTS
1st semester
Module: Introduction to Software Engineering (6 ECTS)
You will gain a basic understanding of programming and work with the Python programming language.
Through small-scale projects, you will develop your first applications. This will help you gain technical insight, assess requirements more realistically and collaborate more effectively with software developers in the future.
Module: Cloud-based IT-Infrastructure (6 ECTS)
You will learn about key technical and organizational principles of global cloud infrastructures.
You will understand the role that cloud technologies play in the development and scaling of digital products and services, as well as the organizational requirements that must be taken into account when implementing them.
Module: Data Governance (6 ECTS)
You will learn to view data as a strategic asset of a company and to use it responsibly.
You will explore data architectures and data models, as well as data quality, data security, organizational responsibilities and the legal framework. In doing so, you will lay the foundation for data-driven innovation.
Module: Innovation Management (6 ECTS)
You will examine innovation management from three perspectives: as a set of methods for developing new solutions, as a business function and as a subject of innovation economics.
You will learn how companies can create the right conditions for innovation and systematically design innovation projects.
Module: Innovation Teams and Networks (6 ECTS)
Interdisciplinary teamwork is the central approach of the program.
You will explore the conditions for successful collaboration and practice self-organization, communication, giving feedback, dealing with different perspectives and sharing responsibility for results. You will also examine how innovation networks facilitate access to knowledge, skills and resources.
2nd semester
Module: Technology Lab: Cognitive Systems (6 ECTS)
You will explore cutting-edge technologies in the fields of machine learning, generative artificial intelligence, agentic AI and data science.
In the Technology Lab, you won’t just learn about these technologies in theory. You’ll design selected features and implement them in practice together with other students. The specific technological focus areas are regularly updated to reflect new developments.
Module: People – Culture – Change (6 ECTS)
You will explore modern organizational concepts, leadership theories, human resources strategies, corporate culture and change leadership.
In doing so, you will reflect on your personal approach to leadership — especially in situations characterized by uncertainty, change and a fast-paced environment.
Module: Project Work: Innovation Challenge (6 ECTS)
Together with a company or research partner, you will tackle a specific innovation challenge.
You will analyze the problem, examine the needs of users and other stakeholders and research existing solutions. Using agile and user-centered methods — particularly those drawn from design thinking — you will develop and evaluate various potential solutions.
Module: Technology Management (6 ECTS)
As part of a multi-day international field trip, you will learn about different innovation cultures, technology companies and innovation ecosystems.
You will explore methods that companies can use to identify, evaluate and strategically leverage new technologies.
Module: Strategic
Transformation (6 ECTS)
You will combine the two core themes of the program — digital technology and innovation — with the strategic development of companies.
You will analyze transformation processes, evaluate strategic options and learn how to make well-informed decisions under conditions of uncertainty.
3rd semester
Module: Project Work - Innovation Challenge & Prototyping (12 ECTS)
You will further develop the solution you created in the second semester into a functional software prototype.
Working in agile, interdisciplinary teams, you will define requirements in detail, implement selected features, test key assumptions and gradually improve the prototype. Lecturers will support the teams with targeted technical input, guidance, feedback and coaching.
Module: Project Work - Innovation Deployment (6 ECTS)
A good idea and a working prototype alone are not enough for successful innovation.
You will examine the technical, organizational and economic requirements for the rollout and develop a plan for the sustainable implementation of your solution.
Module: Project Work - Digital Trends (6 ECTS)
You identify and evaluate current and emerging trends in digital technology.
In doing so, you consider not only technical developments but also economic potential, sustainability, user acceptance, societal impacts and possible new business models. In this way, you develop a systematic approach that will also enable you to assess future technology trends.
Module: Thesis Preparation (6 ECTS)
You will select a problem from your professional practice, familiarize yourself with relevant academic literature and develop the methodological approach and project plan for your Master’s thesis.
Feedback from students and lecturers will help you clearly define the scope of the project and plan it realistically.
4th semester
Module: Thesis Coaching (6 ECTS)
While working on your Master’s thesis, you will continue to receive structured feedback from lecturers and other students.
You will reflect on interim results, methodological decisions and challenges in the research and development process.
Module: Master’s Thesis (18 ECTS)
You will plan and carry out an independent research, development or innovation project — typically one that is directly related to your professional work.
In doing so, you will develop, test and evaluate a solution using scientific methods and demonstrate your ability to integrate technological, economic and organizational perspectives.
Final Exam (6 ECTS)
You will complete the program with a comprehensive examination before a committee.
During this examination, you will present and defend your Master’s thesis and demonstrate how you apply the skills acquired during the program to complex problems.
Jobs & Career
The Master’s program in Digital Innovation is designed for working professionals who wish to expand their existing subject-matter and industry expertise with skills in digital technology, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Upon completion of the program, you will be able to identify technological opportunities in your professional field, initiate innovation projects and integrate economic, technical and user-centered perspectives. You will be prepared to take on responsibility for the development and implementation of new products, services and processes.
This will strengthen your profile for the next step in your career—whether in your current field or in a new role at the intersection of innovation, technology and management.
Depending on your prior professional experience, the following fields and roles are particularly relevant:
- Innovation Management
- Digital Product Management
- Product Ownership
- Business Development
- Digital Transformation
- Project and Program Management
- Technology and AI Adoption
- Innovation Consulting
- Applied Research and Development
You are particularly well-suited for tasks that combine business knowledge, technological judgment and collaboration with teams that are diverse in terms of expertise, professional backgrounds and life experiences. You can integrate different perspectives into innovation processes and foster productive collaboration in project or leadership roles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here you will find the most frequently asked questions and answers about the Master’s program in Digital Innovation:
The Master’s program in Digital Innovation is designed for graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in economics or another field that provides the necessary foundational knowledge in economics.
The program is particularly well-suited for working professionals who are driving digital innovation within their companies or professional fields and wish to assume greater technical, project or leadership responsibilities in the future.
Relevant fields of study include, in particular, social sciences and economics programs, as well as — provided they include appropriate economics content — programs in the fields of business informatics and industrial engineering. Detailed formal requirements can be found on the page regarding admission requirements.
The formal requirements currently include a specified number of ECTS credits in business administration, project and process management and private commercial law.
Yes. The program is specifically designed for working professionals and organized so that students can complete their studies while working full-time.
60 % of the lectures takes place online on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6:30 pm. In-person instruction is concentrated into eight on-campus weekends per semester — scheduled well in advance — on Fridays starting at 3:45 pm and Saturdays starting at 8:30 am.
The program comprises 120 ECTS credits and is academically demanding. In addition to the courses, you must therefore also set aside time for self-study, project work and collaboration in student teams.
No. A degree in computer science is not required for the Master’s program in Digital Innovation. Prerequisites include prior knowledge of economics and a willingness to seriously engage with digital technologies and technical issues.
In the first semester, you’ll learn the basics of programming and work with Python. The goal isn’t to turn you into a software developer. Rather, you’ll develop the technical understanding you need to make informed decisions and collaborate with technical experts.
You will learn to evaluate current and future digital technologies and apply them to new products, services and processes.
To do this, you will combine skills in digital technology, innovation management, strategic management, leadership and scientific research. In real-world innovation projects, you will work with other students to develop and test solutions and plan their implementation.
The program focuses on real-world innovation projects, a Technology Lab and self-directed, inquiry-based learning.
Students research existing knowledge, examine specific problems, develop solutions and prototypes and test key assumptions. Lecturers provide targeted subject-matter input and support the teams with feedback, guidance and coaching.
The academic Master’s-level standard is achieved through the integration of theory, scientific methods, independent research and development work and critical reflection.
The specific technological focus areas are continuously adapted to new developments. These include, for example, artificial intelligence, data-driven systems and cloud technologies.
It’s not just about knowing individual technologies. Above all, you’ll learn to familiarize yourself independently with new technologies, assess their potential and risks and use them productively in innovation projects.
Artificial intelligence is currently a key technological focus of the program, but the Master’s program in Digital Innovation has a broader scope.
The program equips you to apply a variety of current and future digital technologies for innovation. This ensures that your skills remain relevant even as technologies, platforms and tools evolve.
This approach prevents the program from being narrowly defined by the current AI boom.
In practice, digital innovation projects are almost always carried out by people with diverse skills, experiences and perspectives.
That is why students in both Master’s programs complete about 80 % of their studies together. The joint curriculum deliberately combines business and technical disciplines. In addition, students bring diverse professional and personal perspectives to the table — shaped, for example, by industry and role, professional experience, age, gender and cultural background.
In their joint teams, they learn to incorporate these diverse perspectives into problem analysis, solution development and collaborative decision-making. They clarify roles and goals, bridge gaps between technical jargon and differing interests, resolve conflicts constructively and create an environment in which all team members can contribute their expertise.
In the process, students increasingly take on responsibility for collaboration and — depending on their respective roles — also for facilitating and leading teams. The ability to translate academic, professional and personal diversity into collective innovation is a key future-oriented skill and an essential component of both degree programs.
The two Master’s programs are intentionally linked and are taught jointly for about 80 % of the curriculum. However, they are designed for students with different levels of prior knowledge and different academic goals.
Digital Innovation is the right choice if your background is primarily in economics and you want to learn how to evaluate digital technologies, develop innovation projects and collaborate with technical experts.
Digital Technology & Innovation is the right choice if you already have prior knowledge of information technology and economics and want to deepen your technical expertise.
In the joint projects, both perspectives complement each other: DI students contribute in-depth economic, strategic and user-centered perspectives, while DTI students bring in-depth technical design and implementation expertise. The key is that you learn together to implement innovation in teams that are diverse in terms of academic background, professional experience and personal backgrounds.
This Master’s program prepares you for challenging specialized project management and leadership roles at the intersection of innovation, technology and management.
Typical fields of work include innovation management, digital product management, product ownership, business development, digital transformation, project and program management, innovation consulting and applied research and development.
The specific role you will assume depends in part on your prior education and professional experience.
Yes. Completing the Master’s program in Digital Innovation generally qualifies you for admission to a related doctoral program at a university. The specific admission requirements are determined by the respective university.
Yes. Students’ professional experience is an important resource for their studies.
In courses and projects, you can contribute perspectives, challenges and experiences from your own professional field. The Master’s thesis is typically structured as an independent research, development or innovation project with a concrete connection to your professional work.
For example, you can develop a digital solution to a problem in your industry, test a prototype or examine the implementation of a new technology. Prerequisites include a suitable academic research question as well as the necessary access to information, data and research partners.
The Master’s program in Digital Innovation lasts four semesters and comprises 120 ECTS credits. The program concludes with the academic degree of Master of Arts in Business, abbreviated as MA.
The languages of instruction are German and English. Proficiency at the C1 level is required for both languages. Presentations, written assignments and oral exams may be completed in either German or English.
The program begins each September and takes place at the wko campus wien as well as online. A multi-day international field trip is scheduled for the second semester.
On campus weekends and live online sessions
This program combines the flexibility of live online instruction with intensive in-person collaboration on campus.
- 60 % of the lectures takes place online. Please set aside Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6:30 pm for these sessions.
- 40 % of the coursework is concentrated into eight on-campus weekends per semester, starting at 3:45 pm on Fridays and 8:30 am on Saturdays.
The dates will be published well in advance so that you can reliably plan your studies, work and personal commitments.
On campus weekends
September 25-26, 2026 (Kick-off for the 1st semester on Friday 3:45 pm)
October 2-3, 2026
October 16-17, 2026
November 6-7, 2026
November 20-21, 2026
December 4-5, 2026
December 18-19, 2026
January 15-16, 2027
February 26-27, 2027
March 12-13, 2027
April 2-3, 2027
April 13-17, 2027 (in the 2nd semester: international field trip of several days)
May 7-8, 2027
May 21-22, 2027
June 4-5, 2027
June 18-19, 2027
July 2-3, 2027 (final exam)
Application
Curious about our study program? Inform yourself about the requirements and the admissions procedure at FHWien der WKW.
Subsidies
The waff, the Vienna Employee Promotion Fund, supports Viennese women who want to study digitalization, technology and ecology while working with a scholarship program.
Requirements
Women, with main residence in Vienna, who
- are at least 25 years old or can prove at least 24 months of employment above the marginal employment threshold,
- whose highest educational qualification is a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree in a non-technical field,
- do not earn more than € 36,000 gross per year during their studies,
- who have a study place commitment in a part-time study program according to the list of study programs that can be supported in this program
- and who do not receive a student grant or a self-employed scholarship during their studies.
Scholarship amount
The total amount of the scholarship is € 9,000 for the intended duration of the Master’s program.
Consultation and Study preparation
- Consultation/Coaching before you start studying
- Prequalifying course/Qualification grant
Information & advice
If you have any questions, please contact the waff directly via e-mail (bbe@waff.at) or telephone (01 217 48 555).
Further information can be found here: