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 rigorous and application-oriented: You’ll tackle real-world innovation challenges, conduct scientifically sound research, develop solutions and evaluate their impact.
- In-depth technical training with direct application: 48 ECTS credits of the program are dedicated to digital technology. In Agile Software Engineering, Data Science and two Technology Labs, you’ll deepen your technical expertise and implement selected functions in a practical setting. In the collaborative project modules, depending on the project and team, you can take on technically focused roles — up to and including Development Lead — and help plan the technical infrastructure for implementing a solution.
- Collaboration and leadership in diverse Teams as a future skill: You’ll complete approximately 80 % of the program alongside students in the Master’s program in Digital 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 MSc Digital Technology & Innovation
- Specific admissions procedure MSc Digital Technology & 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 Technology & Innovation combines — what is often taught separately or side by side in traditional programs — in-depth expertise in the fields of digital technology and innovation.
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 design complex digital systems and translate technological possibilities into economically, organizationally and socially viable innovations.
Digital Technology
Digital technologies are evolving faster than individual tools and platforms. That is why, during your studies, you will not only deepen your knowledge of current technologies. You will also acquire the ability to
- independently familiarize yourself with new and forward-looking areas of technology,
- analyze and design complex digital information systems and implement them as prototypes in agile teams,
- translate technical and non-technical requirements into viable system concepts,
- develop selected functions of data-driven and cyber-physical systems for specific application contexts,
- evaluate technological alternatives and make well-informed technology decisions, and
- take on technical responsibility in interdisciplinary teams and communicate complex concepts in an understandable way.
Key areas of focus include:
- Cognitive Systems: Machine Learning, Generative Artificial Intelligence, Agentic Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
- Cyber-Physical Systems: Internet of Things, Robotics, Assistance Systems and Augmented Reality
The specific technologies and application examples are regularly updated to reflect new developments.
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 examine 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 apply methods from design thinking, use data as an economic asset and develop your innovation networks.
Personal and Social Skills
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 Technology & Innovation complete approximately 80 % of their coursework alongside students in the Master’s program in Digital Innovation.
As a student in the Master’s program in Digital Technology & Innovation, you will contribute, in particular, prior knowledge of information technology and technical implementation skills. At the same time, you will learn to identify economic, strategic and user-related requirements and translate them into viable technical concepts.
In the joint teams, you will learn to
- incorporate academic, professional and personal perspectives into problem analysis, solution development and joint decision-making,
- bridge gaps 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 on responsibility even in the face of uncertainty, time pressure and differing opinions, as well as — depending on your role — to facilitate and lead teams.
In doing so, you will develop a key skill for the future: the ability to transform professional diversity into collective innovation.
The Master’s program in Digital Technology & Innovation combines technical expertise with innovation skills, a strategic perspective and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Curriculum
The curriculum takes you from in-depth technological and methodological fundamentals to an independent research and innovation project over the course of four semesters.
In the first semester, you’ll deepen your skills in software development, human-technology interaction, data science and innovation design. In the second semester, you’ll expand your expertise in cognitive systems and cyber-physical systems and tackle a real-world innovation challenge. In the third semester, you’ll develop a prototype based on this work and plan its implementation. 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 taught in conjunction with the Master’s program in Digital 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 – 48 ECTS
Interdisciplinary modules on innovation – 30 ECTS
Module on strategic management – 6 ECTS
Research and development modules – 30 ECTS
Final overall exam – 6 ECTS
1st semester
Module: Agile Software Engineering (6 ECTS)
You will deepen your skills in software development and implement software projects using Python as part of agile teams.
In doing so, you will translate requirements into technical concepts, implement selected functions and reflect on collaboration within the development process. This will lay the foundation for developing more complex prototypes in the following semesters.
Module: Human-Technology Interaction (6 ECTS)
You focus on the interfaces between people and digital technology and analyze how solutions must be designed so that people can use them effectively.
Using design principles as well as iterative and human-centered approaches, you develop and test interaction concepts. In this way, you align technical functionality with user needs and usage contexts.
Module: Data Science (6 ECTS)
You will deepen your skills in working with data and become familiar with selected concepts and methods in the fields of data governance and data science.
This will enable you to evaluate data-driven solutions from a management perspective, as well as to understand and help shape their technical foundations.
Module: Innovation Design (6 ECTS)
You will examine innovation from three perspectives: as a set of methods for developing new solutions, as an entrepreneurial task and as a subject of the innovation economy.
Using agile and user-centered approaches, you will develop solution concepts and learn to align technical possibilities with user needs and economic conditions.
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 develop skills in self-organization, communication, providing 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: Technology Lab: Cyber-Physical Systems (6 ECTS)
You will explore the latest technologies in the fields of the Internet of Things, robotics, assistance systems and augmented reality.
In the Technology Lab, you will analyze selected systems, design individual functions and implement them in practice as part of a team. The specific technologies and application examples are regularly updated to reflect new developments.
Module: Project Work: Innovation Challenge (6 ECTS)
Together with a company or research partner, you will work on 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 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 support the teams with targeted technical input, guidance, feedback and coaching.
As a student in the Master’s program in Digital Technology & Innovation, you can — depending on the project and the division of roles within the team — take on a technically focused role, such as a member of the development team or a development lead.
You will learn to integrate technical development into a comprehensive innovation process.
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 - Emergent Digital Technologies (6 ECTS)
You identify and evaluate current and emerging trends in digital technology from both technical and interdisciplinary perspectives.
In doing so, you analyze operating principles, maturity levels, potential applications and impacts on businesses and society. This enables you to develop a systematic approach that allows you to assess future technologies as well and rapidly expand your technical knowledge.
Module: Thesis Preparation (6 ECTS)
You will select a research question 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 your 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 design, implement and evaluate a technically sophisticated solution using scientific methods and contextualize it within its economic and organizational framework.
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 Technology & Innovation is designed for working professionals who wish to expand their existing technical and industry experience with in-depth expertise in digital technology, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Upon completion of the program, you will be able to identify technological opportunities in your professional field, design complex digital systems and implement them as prototypes, make well-informed technology decisions and assume technical responsibility in innovation projects.
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 technology, innovation and management.
Depending on your prior professional experience, the following fields and roles are particularly relevant:
- Technical Product Management
- Product Ownership
- Technology Management and IT Management
- Innovation Engineering
- Agile Project and Program Management
- AI and Technology Solutions
- IT and Technology Consulting
- Applied Research and Development
You are particularly well-suited for tasks that combine technical expertise, innovation skills, and collaboration with teams that are diverse in terms of their technical backgrounds, professional experiences and personal histories. 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 Technology & Innovation:
The Master’s program in Digital Technology & Innovation is designed for graduates of programs at the intersection of information technology and management.
The program is particularly well-suited for working professionals who already possess a foundation in information technology and business, wish to deepen their technical expertise and aim to assume greater technical, project or leadership responsibilities in innovation initiatives in the future.
Typical academic backgrounds include, for example, Digital Business, Business Informatics, Digital Transformation, IT Project Management, Industrial Engineering or Innovation Management—provided that the required IT and business content is covered.
The prerequisite is a completed Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or an equivalent degree from a recognized domestic or foreign institution of higher education.
Full academic equivalence currently requires the following course content:
- Information systems, including software development and databases – at least 12 ECTS
- Process, project and requirements management – at least 6 ECTS
- General business administration, including managerial accounting and finance – at least 6 ECTS
- Information and business law – at least 6 ECTS
If only individual course components are missing, equivalence may be established under certain circumstances subject to the requirement of additional exams. The final determination is made by the Head of Program as part of the review of your application materials.
The Master’s program in Digital Technology & Innovation requires prior knowledge of information technology. This program is not an entry-level Master’s program for individuals with no prior IT background.
Your prior studies should include, in particular, fundamentals in information systems, software development and databases. In the first semester, you will deepen these skills in courses such as Agile Software Engineering with Python, Human-Technology Interaction and Data Science.
It is not essential that you already be proficient in every technology covered. However, you should understand technical concepts, have some initial development experience and be ready to help design complex digital systems yourself.
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 (Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6:30 pm). In-person courses are concentrated into eight on-campus weekends per semester, which are announced well in advance (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, technical development work, project work and collaboration in student teams.
The Master’s program in Digital Technology & Innovation has a predominantly technical focus. 48 ECTS credits of the program are dedicated to modules on digital technology. You will learn to design complex digital systems, implement selected functions as prototypes and make well-informed technological decisions in innovation projects.
In Agile Software Engineering, you’ll deepen your software development skills and work with Python. In Data Science, you’ll focus on the technical analysis and use of data. In two Technology Labs, you’ll design and implement selected functions in the areas of cognitive systems and cyber-physical systems. At the same time, you’ll explore innovation methods, technology management, strategic transformation and scientific research.
In real-world innovation projects, you’ll align technical feasibility with user needs, business objectives and organizational requirements — for example, by developing functional software prototypes as a member of a development team or as a development lead.
The program focuses on real-world innovation projects, two technology labs 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, technical development work, independent research and critical reflection.
The specific technological focus areas are continuously adapted to new developments.
Key areas in the field of Cognitive Systems include, among others, machine learning, generative artificial intelligence, agentic AI and data science. In the field of Cyber-Physical Systems, you will work with, for example, the Internet of Things, robotics, assistance systems and augmented reality.
It’s not just about knowing individual technologies. Above all, you’ll learn to familiarize yourself independently with new technologies, assess their technical maturity and potential applications and implement selected functions in practice.
Artificial intelligence is currently a key technological focus of the program, but the Master’s program in Digital Technology & Innovation has a broader scope.
In addition to machine learning, generative AI and agentic AI, you’ll also explore data science, human-technology interaction, the Internet of Things, robotics, assistance systems and augmented reality.
This program equips you with the technical understanding needed to grasp a variety of current and future digital technologies and apply them to drive innovation. As a result, your expertise will remain relevant even as technologies, platforms and tools evolve.
No. Digital Technology & Innovation is not a traditional Master’s program in computer science that focuses exclusively on theoretical computer science, algorithms or software development.
The program delves deeply into selected technical skills and systematically integrates them with innovation, technology management, strategic transformation and real-world interdisciplinary projects.
It is designed for individuals who wish to take on leadership roles at the intersection of technology and innovation.
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, work 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 approximately 80 % of their lectures is taught jointly. However, they are designed for students with different levels of prior knowledge and different professional development goals.
Digital Technology & Innovation is the right choice if you already have a background in information technology and business and would like to deepen your technical expertise.
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.
In the joint projects, both perspectives complement each other: DTI students contribute in-depth technical design and implementation expertise, while DI students contribute primarily economic, strategic and user-centered perspectives. The key is that you learn together how 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 technical, project management and leadership roles at the intersection of technology, innovation and management.
Typical fields of work include technical product management, product ownership, technology management, IT management, innovation engineering, agile project and program management, IT and technology consulting and applied research and development.
The specific role you end up in will also depend on your previous education and professional experience.
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 system or selected technical functions, test a prototype or investigate the application 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 Technology & Innovation lasts four semesters and comprises 120 ECTS credits. The program concludes with the academic degree of Master of Science, abbreviated MSc in Engineering.
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.
The degree generally qualifies graduates for admission to a related doctoral program at a university. The specific admission requirements are determined by the respective university.
On campus weekends and live online sessions
- 60 % online learning: reserve Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.30 pm
- 40 % of the courses are concentrated into eight on-campus weekends per semester (Fridays starting at 3:45 pm and Saturdays starting at 8:30 am).
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
Do you have a Bachelor’s degree with the necessary background in information technology and business, and are you interested in taking on technical leadership roles in digital innovation projects?
Find out now about the admission requirements, application deadlines and the admissions procedure for the Master’s program in Digital Technology & Innovation.
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: