Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Bachelor's degree programme
Robots and drones are capable of amazing feats: They move automatically, they locate images in vast databases and they also understand what they see. They solve the most complicated puzzles at lightning speed. Thanks to artificial intelligence, they are getting better and better. We equip them: with even smarter brains, observant camera eyes, a sensitive sensor shell and powerful, precise arms, legs and wings.
Study our English-language Bachelor’s degree programme in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence and gain all the tools and skills you need to bring hardware and software together in perfect harmony.
Fact Box
Duration:
ECTS credits:
Level of qualification: Bachelor's degree programme
Degree:
Prerequisites:
Special admission procedure:
Language of instruction:
Curriculum (PDF)
(German Version, legally binding)
Curriculum (PDF)
(English Version, not legally binding)
Range of courses
6
semestersECTS credits:
180
Level of qualification: Bachelor's degree programme
Degree:
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Prerequisites:
General university entrance qualification, knowledge of English B2
Special admission procedure:
No
Language of instruction:
English
Curriculum (PDF)
(German Version, legally binding)
Curriculum (PDF)
(English Version, not legally binding)
Range of courses
Contact
Student Guidance Service
E-mail: studieninfo [at] aau [dot] at
Programme Director
E-mail: robotics-ai [at] aau [dot] at
There’s not much a robot or a drone can do by itself: It’s only when they learn to perceive their environment, to communicate with others, to correct mistakes unaided and to find optimal solutions for their tasks that they become essential helpers. In the future, robots and drones will create opportunities for us in a whole new way. Yet more can still be accomplished, especially in areas where robots work autonomously in relation to their environment. To be able to make even better use of them when searching for missing persons in an earthquake zone or on the assembly line in an industrial company, we need you: an expert in engineering technology and modern artificial intelligence.
Self-driving cars must be able to recognise that an accident has happened around the next bend. They need to apply the brakes in good time, switch to a different route and inform other cars. We call these smart technologies “cyber-physical systems”. We come across them wherever software and hardware are deployed. You benefit by learning from world-class experts in the development of such systems at the University of Klagenfurt: Our technology comes into its own while the Mars drone Ingenuity scouts for interesting locations on the Red Planet. Our technology guides robotic arms during surgery and allows swarms of tiny helicopters to take aerial photos of disaster areas.
Of all the universities in the German-speaking world, the University of Klagenfurt is in the top 15 – and still climbing – in the THE 2022 ranking! We cooperate closely with high-tech companies and prepare you for an industry that is experiencing dynamic growth like no other. The skills you will learn here are the skills that will always set you apart in the fast-paced world of technology. Your future workplace is entirely up to you. The world’s finest technologies can be developed anywhere: in Villach and in Singapore, in Silicon Valley and in Salzburg. To ensure that all doors are wide open for you, the degree programme is taught in English.
Curious what the Bachelor's degree programme in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence is all about?
Term dates & deadlines
Winter semester 2026/27
General admission period for Bachelor’s degree programmes:
6 July 2026 – 5 September 2026
Summer semester 2027
General admission period for Bachelor’s degree programmes:
8 January 2027 – 5 February 2027
Why study Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Klagenfurt?
Our student Aleks has the answer to your question!
You are special. So are we.
This is what makes the degree programme so special
- Practical AND theoretical: We provide you with the theoretical foundations of robotics and artificial intelligence that you can continue to build throughout your professional life. You’ll also get robots and drones moving, operate soldering tools and assemble electronic circuits in practical seminars. You have the best labs at your disposal. Among other things, the University of Klagenfurt runs Europe’s largest drone flight hall, where we test innovative future technologies – together with industrial partners from around the world. Adjacent to the drone flight hall, internationally successful robotics companies such as Joanneum Research and Lakeside Labs await graduates like you in the Lakeside Science & Technology Park!
- International setting: Some of the best in their field teach and study in Klagenfurt. More than 40 percent of the researchers and teachers are international. We invite you to immerse yourself in this international and diverse landscape – with language courses in Spanish, Russian, English or Chinese. This equips you for a career path that can literally take you anywhere.
- Getting started in research: Most of our students receive job offers from high-tech companies early on. Many opt to continue their careers in university research and go on to pursue a Master’s degree and a doctorate: Here in Klagenfurt you have every opportunity to do so. The university runs countless pioneering research projects with industry partners – and is always on the lookout for creative young professionals like you!
- We will accompany you on your journey. Are you nervous about disappearing among the masses of students at a large university? That won’t happen to you here in Klagenfurt. For us you are not just one among many, you are special. We want to know who you are, what moves you and what you want to achieve. That’s why we offer very good supervision arrangements, small seminars and compact working groups.
Focused studies. Our core topics
- Principles of robotics: We show you how to build robots so that they work safely. Physics – including electricity, magnetism, kinematics and dynamics – plays an important role here.
- Mathematics: New technologies such as drones or robots would not exist without mathematics. We teach you all the essentials you need to know.
- Computer science and software development: We show you how to develop flawless and smooth-running software, taking you through all phases of development: You plan, you design, you implement, and you test. We also introduce you to the theoretical concepts of computer science.
- Artificial intelligence: Here in Klagenfurt, you will find out how to automate smart behaviour and how machines can learn on their own. You learn to recognise when artificial intelligence can be helpful and where its limits lie.
- Information and communication technology: Measurement data, images, videos or voice signals are information that is generated, transported and processed by technical means. The tools you work with are circuits, sensors, actuators or controls. Without information technology, smartphones, medical diagnostic devices, cars, game consoles or robots would not work today.
Your skills are our mission. This is what we can teach you
We help you to acquire scientific skills, and you can use them to good effect: While some people merely code, control or monitor robots and drones, we will turn you into a visionary thinker, designer and trendsetter in the world of robotics and artificial intelligence, with plenty of freedom and scope for action in your professional life.
- Everything you need for the practical setting. Around 40 percent of our lecturers are highly successful in the professional field. What we offer is nothing out of this world, but rather we allow you to take flight.
- Triumph with soft skills. The world of work needs team players who can work creatively and purposefully, regardless of subjects and cultures. In our seminars you will learn how to boost inspiration and efficiency in group work. Here you will learn to become a moderator and manager of projects.
- Reaching for the sky after graduation. Many of our graduates enter professional life straight after their Bachelor’s degree. However, others are eager for more. At the University of Klagenfurt, we are able to offer you Master’s degree programmes, which are specially tailored to your interests: Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, Information and Communications Engineering (with a focus on Autonomous Systems and Robotics, Networks and Communications, Business Engineering). The choice is yours!
You can get off to an excellent start!
Even though some may find it tough to learn to “think algorithmically” and understand the mathematics behind computer science at the beginning of their studies, with the added challenge of dealing with a foreign language: Later on, our students tell us that it was worth the effort to overcome these hurdles.
If you ever get stuck, or if you feel that the knowledge of mathematics, computer science and/or physics that you learned at school is not enough, we can help you! We have dedicated technology preparation courses for this purpose: These focused workshops in computer science, mathematics and physics will bring you up to speed and help you launch your studies. Taking advantage of these voluntary and free offers will also provide benefits later on: The preparation courses qualify as free elective subjects.
Where we are and how we are seen
- The capital in the south of Austria
Klagenfurt am Wörthersee is a city of about 100,000 inhabitants and the capital of Carinthia, set in a region known for its stunning lakes, mountains, and forests. - We are distinguished by our students!
The University of Klagenfurt has received two Global Student Satisfaction Awards from Studyportals (The Global Study Choice Platform). In addition, on StudyCheck.de – the largest German-language student review platform – 97 % of students recommend the University of Klagenfurt.
- We are AACSB accredited!
Since 2023, the Faculty of Management, Economics and Law has been accredited by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). Less than 6 % of business schools worldwide earn this distinction. - Top quality is our standard!
The University of Klagenfurt is committed to high-quality standards. Our quality management is EVALAG-certified, we maintain the highest environmental standards (EMAS certification) and are a family-friendly university (State quality label “hochschuleundfamilie”).
Programme structure
In Klagenfurt you can study at your own pace. To help you follow your path with confidence, we keep it clear of (bureaucratic) stumbling blocks and barriers. If you wish to reach your goal quickly and efficiently, we will always be there to support you. Our recommended course of study will guide you through the semesters. You work your way through the curriculum – making the most of opportunities to broaden your horizons and without wasting time. If you would like to know which courses await you before you start, take a look at the wide range of seminars and lectures.
Students who have completed their education at a secondary technical college (HTL) may be able to receive credit for certain courses in the Bachelor’s degree programme. If you have any questions about the recognition of examinations, the Programme Director responsible for your degree programme will be happy to help you.
Main areas
Programme structure: a tabular overview
| SUBJECT | DESIGNATION | ECTS credits | Recommended semester |
| Required Subjects | Robotics Engineering Fundamentals | 15.5 | 1-2 |
| Mathematics | 28 | 1-3 | |
| Computer Science and Software Development | 22 | 1-5 | |
| Artificial Intelligence | 22.5 | 1-5 | |
| Information and Communications Engineering | 36 | 2-5 | |
| Bachelor's thesis and seminar | 10 | 6 | |
| Guided Electives | Labs Robotics & AI | 12 | 3-6 |
For the specialisation, choice of two subjects (12 ECTS credits each)
| 24 | 4-6 | |
| Open Electives | 10 | 1-6 | |
| Total | 180 |
Introductory and orientation period (STEOP)
The introductory and orientation period (STEOP) grants students an overview of the key elements of the degree programme and of the course of studies ahead. Thus, it provides a factual basis for the personal evaluation of the choice of degree programme.
As students must successfully complete the introductory and orientation period in order to continue their studies, it is recommended that this stage should be scheduled during the first semester. The introductory and orientation period for the Bachelor’s degree programme in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence consists of the lecture courses “Introduction to study”, “Physics for Engineers: Kinematics, Dynamics and Thermodynamics” and “Introduction to Structured and Object-based Programming”, plus the associated exercises, accounting for 12.5 ECTS credits in total. Prior to completing the STEOP, additional courses worth up to 22 ECTS credits may be taken.
Recommended course of study
The recommended course of study outlined below shows you an exemplary list of the courses you should attend in the first two semesters in order to create a good knowledge base and take the necessary examinations if you want to complete your studies within the minimum period of study. Certain courses are only offered once per academic year, but examinations can be taken on specific dates throughout the year. Some courses are offered in parallel at different time slots during the week so that there are enough places for all students – decide on a course here and register for it.
In the appendix to your curriculum (PDF), you will find a detailed version of the non-binding recommended course of study that goes beyond the first two semesters.
1st semester (Starting in the winter semester)
| DESIGNATION | SUBJECT | ECTS CREDITS | COURSE TITLE | TYPE OF COURSE |
| STEOP (Introductory and orientation period) | Required subject 1.1 | 0.5 | Introduction to the study | VC* |
| Required subject 1.2 | 4 | Physics for Engineers: Kinematics, Dynamics and Thermodynamics | VO | |
| 2 | Physics for Engineers: Kinematics, Dynamics and Thermodynamics** | KS* | ||
| Required subject 3.1 | 2 | Introduction to Structured and Object-based Programming | VO | |
| 4 | Introduction to Structured and Object-based Programming** | UE* | ||
| Robotics Engineering Fundamentals | Required subject 1.4 | 3 | Introduction to Robotics | VO |
| Mathematics | Required subject 2.1 | 7.5 | Analysis 1 for Engineers | VO |
| 3 | Analysis 1 for Engineers** | UE* | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | Required subject 4.4 | 4 | Responsible Robotics & AI: Ethics, Governance and Society | VC* |
| Total | 30 |
* Compulsory attendance
** Parallel courses are offered
| DESIGNATION | SUBJECT | ECTS CREDITS | COURSE TITLE | TYPE OF COURSE |
| Robotics Engineering Fundamentals | Required subject 1.3 | 4 | Physics for Engineers: Electricity and Magnetism | VO |
| 2 | Physics for Engineers: Electricity and Magnetism** | KS* | ||
| 0 | Tutorial Physics for Engineers: Electricity and Magnetism | TU | ||
| Mathematics | Required subject 2.3 | 5 | Analysis 2 for Engineers | VO |
| 3 | Analysis 2 for Engineers** | UE* | ||
| Required subject 2.4 | 3 | Linear Algebra for Engineers | VO | |
| 2 | Linear Algebra for Engineers** | UE* | ||
| Computer Science and Software Development | Required subject 3.3 | 2 | Algorithms and Data Structures | VO |
| 4 | Algorithms and Data Structures** | UE* | ||
| Information and Communications Engineering | Required subject 5.1 | 3 | Design of Digital Circuits | VO |
| 3 | Design of Digital Circuits** | KS* | ||
| 0 | Tutorial Design of Digital Circuits | TU | ||
| Total | 31 |
* Compulsory attendance
** Parallel courses are offered
Studying abroad
The international race for the most intelligent robots has already started. This industry is global like no other: Whether you want to work on taxi drones in Dubai or Singapore after graduation or on the development of new industrial robots in Silicon Valley, a period abroad offers you numerous opportunities to develop your professional skills and improve your language and intercultural competences at the same time. The world is yours to explore – and you can get started while you are still studying. For more information on international mobility during your degree programme, please refer to Section 7 of the curriculum.
This degree programme does not include a compulsory period abroad. However, we strongly encourage all students to complete part of their degree programme as a semester abroad at one of the University of Klagenfurt’s more than 250 partner universities worldwide. You need not worry about your finances – we offer plenty of scholarships. You will find everything you need to know about studying abroad on our Study Abroad page.
Admission
Admission to the degree programme must take place before the end of the general admission period (winter semester: 5 September | summer semester: 5 February).
A late admission until 31 October (winter semester) or 31 March (summer semester) can only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
Prerequisites
You do not have to go through a special admission procedure to start the Bachelor's degree programme in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in Klagenfurt.
You only have to meet the following conditions, which also apply to all other programmes:
- General university entrance qualification (e.g. Matura)
- English language skills at level B2 (CEFR)
Prospective students who apply for admission to a Bachelor's degree programme and whose first language is not the language in which the degree programme is conducted must provide evidence of language proficiency at the required level at the time of application.
Further information concerning proof of required language proficiency
The first steps are always … accompanied!
We won’t abandon you, especially at the start of your studies!
- Here in Klagenfurt, you will get to know your fellow students during the Welcome Days – and you will make new friends in the very first week; friends you will share memorable experiences with in the years to come.
- You will never be a mere (matriculation) number here: Our courses have a limited number of participants and so our lecturers will soon get to know you. We encourage and challenge you, in every way you need!
- Your degree starts with the so-called “Introductory phase (STEOP)”. No matter which school you attended or which qualifications you bring with you to the university: We will get you to the level you need in order to study successfully in the semesters ahead. In addition, the technology preparation courses will help you to rapidly progress on the road to success in your studies!
- During the first semester, our students are coached in small groups by mentors, making it easier for you to get off to a good start.
Best prospects. Your professional opportunities
First of all: Excellent job prospects lie in store for you. Qualified professionals like you are highly sought after everywhere. The robotics and AI industry is experiencing unparalleled growth. Headhunters working for major companies will approach you via our numerous career projects and present you with offers even while you are still a student. After completing your studies, you can work in the following fields, among others:
- As a developer and project manager: You will learn to independently define, plan, implement, manage and evaluate projects.
- In countless fields of application: You can work wherever smart robots are used, such as collaborating lightweight robots in the manufacturing industry, medical robots that diagnose or perform surgery, drones for agriculture and space travel, and much more besides.
Opinions on this degree programme
The Bachelor’s degree programme Robotics & Artificial Intelligence is in tune with the times. The content is highly relevant for both research and industry. The possibilities after this study are limitless, as there are already countless applications in these fields and their number will grow even more in the future. Furthermore, the student-supervisor relationships in Klagenfurt are exceptional and, students benefit from small course groups and from early involvement in current research.
The University of Klagenfurt offers a wide range of topics in robotics, including research into new types of sensors, communication methods, the control of robots and my own field – the state estimation of robot platforms. Additionally, there are some excellent areas, such as the drone hall, where you can test the theory you have developed in a practical setting.
Stories & news about the degree programme
You’ll soon discover this: There are many interesting facts, stories and news updates regarding this degree programme.
FAQ. Frequently asked questions
Can I start my studies even if I don’t have any prior knowledge? How can I prepare for my degree programme?
What is most important when starting your studies is that you have an interest in and a curiosity about the field of study and the subject area. No prior knowledge is required. If you are still unsure, simply attend one of our technology preparation courses. Here, you can refresh your knowledge of computer science and mathematics along with other first-year students. The course is free of charge and will be credited as part of your studies.
Will my English skills be sufficient?
Your Austrian or German school-leaving certificate (Matura) including English is sufficient to start your studies. If you are a student with a school-leaving certificate from another country, you have to prove that you can communicate in English at level B2.
How can I prove English language proficiency?
A list of the accepted language qualifications is available in the Regulation issued by the Rectorate concerning proof of required language proficiency for admission to study programmes.
Is the degree programme in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence the right one for me?
If you’re interested in hardware and software, you’ve come to the right place. Are you interested in helping to shape the world of smart robots? Then this is the perfect degree programme for you!
Is there an entrance exam for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Klagenfurt?
There is no entrance exam. Anyone who is interested and has obtained the university entrance qualification (e.g. Matura, Abitur) can take this degree here in Klagenfurt.
How do I start my academic studies at the University of Klagenfurt?
Our check list will help you to get started. We have compiled everything you need to know here – from registering online right up to enrolling for a degree programme.
Continuing your studies
Once you have completed the Bachelor's degree programme in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Klagenfurt, you have the option to continue your studies with one of the following degree programmes, to give just a few examples. The choice is yours:
