CAMPUS 02 University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor in Smart Automation
Graz, Austria
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
6 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 363 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Application deadline for non-EU nationals is open until 28 February 2026 (15 Juli 2026 for EU nationals)
** EUR 363,36 per semester plus Austrian National Union of Students’ Contribution (For non-EU nationals EUR 726,72 per semester)
Key Summary
About: The Bachelor in Smart Automation covers Industry 4.0 and digitalization of value chains, products, services and business models. It focuses on automation of technical and organizational processes, smart products, and process optimization through theory, laboratory and programming exercises. Taught in English, the curriculum links to CAMPUS 02’s industry network established in 1996.
Career Outcomes: Career opportunities include product and application development, system integration and start‑up, process optimization, instrumentation, testing and quality management, technical product management and production planning. Graduates work as technical generalists in large industrial firms and in small and medium enterprises with specialized, high‑technology products and services.
The relevance of automation technology in everyday life is well-known. Digitalization forms the basis of everything, not only in industry but also in private life. The bachelor´s degree programme Smart Automation is focused on these topics known by the umbrella term “Industry 4.0”. Industry 4.0 encompasses the digitalization of internal and external company value chains as well as product and service offerings and entire business models, all of which are thus revolutionized by it. Furthermore, individual customer requirements are to be realized with serially produced products, optimized decisions are to be made in flexible business and engineering processes, and resource productivity and efficiency are to be increased.
Unique Education – Unique Network
The degree programmes Automation Technology began as early as 1996. being one of the first degree programmes to be held at CAMPUS 02 University of Applied Sciences. Hence, the programme offers a wide and varied network of companies who support the course with a focus on practical application and enable us to be ar the cutting edge of technology.
Focus on the Future
Smart Automation is primarily focused on the automation of technical processes and covers smart products and organizational processes. The fields of activity cover the spectrum from product and service engineering through production to maintenance. Therefore, the activities are diverse, with a focus on planning, development and implementation tasks for technical applications.
Fit for the Future
Sound knowledge of automation technology provides the foundation for specialisation in one of the areas of product, production or process. In these core areas, you will work on theoretical examples which you will then implement as laboratory and programming exercises. The degree programme is held in English and is therefore best-placed for work in an international field.
Form the Future
The degree programme Smart Automation helps you to shape the future by implementing technical solutions. The possibility of integrating professional experience in this work-friendly, full-time degree programme was an essential aspect in the design of the curriculum and the organization of study time.
Theory meets practice — an advantage that opens up job opportunities in highly specialized career areas.
1. Semester
- Basic Analysis
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering and Circuits
- Physics
- Smart Automation Introduction
- Software Development
- Time and Conflict Management
2. Semester
- Electrical Design and Signals
- Electrical Measurement and Laboratory
- Mechanical Engineering Basics
- PLC and Network Technology
- Statistics and Data Analysis
- Time and Conflict Management
3. Semester
- Communication, Problem, and Project Management
- Electrical Machines
- Embedded Systems
- Measurement Sensors
- Mechanical Design and Fluid Technology
- Mobile and Database Solutions
- Transformations and System Analysis
4. Semester
- Communication, Problem, and Project Management
- Cyber-Physical Systems
- Elective Project 1
- Human-Machine Interaction
- Robotics, Security, and Safety
- Systems and Control Engineering
5. Semester
- Bachelor's Thesis 1
- Control Engineering Advanced
- Elective Project 2
- Product/Production/Process Lecture
- Product/Production/Process Seminar
- Scientific and Business Aspects
6. Semester
- Bachelor's Exam
- Bachelor's Thesis 2
- Internship
- Scientific and Business Aspects
Compulsory Elective Modules
Students select one of three compulsory elective course units: product, production, or process and handle this topic for one semester.
This individual selection promotes an individualized qualification with respect to the personal interests and occupational requirements of the students.
In the product course unit students gain knowledge on the product development process. By using a guiding example product through the whole lifecycle, students are able to explain, evaluate and conduct requirements analysis, product development, manufacturing and programming, testing, and gaining approval.
In the production course unit, the students gain knowledge on standard and advanced manufacturing technologies and machines according to DIN 8580 for industrial use. Furthermore, the students are able to discuss metrology, parts quality and use the knowledge for production-oriented design. The students also gain knowledge in the field of additive manufacturing and the virtual factory.
The process course unit deals with all kinds of material handling, from gases, liquids, and solids to parts and products, ranging from simple pipes to complex supply chains. The students are able to conduct process engineering and design logistic systems.
Personal Development
Personal skills are developed over the semesters with courses such as Time and Conflict Management, Rhetoric and Presentation Techniques, and Problem Solving Methods. In addition, time management is required when completing the degree program, teamwork is promoted in the laboratory exercises and projects, and presentations are included in various courses. By dividing groups, it is not only possible to cater to the needs of the students, but also different characters meet, which goes hand in hand with the further development of personal skills.
Work Placement
The work placement allows students to deepen and consolidate the content learned during their studies, to critically reflect the theory with the company’s reality, and to expand their skills to apply knowledge. The work placement is assigned to the 6th semester of the curriculum and is scheduled for at least 15 weeks. A work placement seminar supports and accompanies students during their work placement.
The collectivity of all experiences from the relevant professional activity and the specific discourse as well as the production of cross-connections between studies and the profession is characterized by an internship. The identification and evaluation of interrelationships as well as reports on experiences from the internship are an obligation for the students.
Starting Easy
Not only the fact that this full-time study is possible in a work-friendly manner, but also the continuous introduction to professional practice has played a huge role in the design of the curriculum and the organization of time.
For this reason, attendance-based teaching is generally concentrated on three weekdays. We also offer excellent possibilities to do a work placement: you may either use our own laboratory infrastructure for a technical internship or the network of the platform automation technology Styria with over 80 members can be approached. This gives our students a de facto internship guarantee.
Do you want to immerse into the professional profile without much prior knowledge? Then attend our one-week technical summer school “HoliTech”, in which, amongst others, technical-physical experiments are carried out interactively in subject areas that shape the professional profile.
Students gain special knowledge in the fields of IT, electronics, and the core areas of automation technology, thus enabling their digitalization. The study programme is complemented by business knowledge and soft skills.
Today, the shortage of highly-qualified engineers is still an issue, particularly in Austria. Through the interdisciplinary approach of CAMPUS 02’s degree programme Smart Automation, students are trained to be able to work in a variety of fields, which helps them to become technical generalists. The degree programme´s output has also kept the market demand for versatile automation technologists stable for years, regardless of crises in individual economic areas. The elective modules of the degree programme offer the chance to work in specialized fields. Not only are graduates wanted for large industrial businesses, but also for many small/middle-sized companies with specialized and highly technologically mature products.
Areas of activity
- Product and application development (calculation, planning, manufacturing)
- System integration and start-up (hardware, software, programming)
- Process optimization (control engineering)
- Instrumentation (acquisition, preparation, transmission, management, analysis, visualization of data)
- Testing technology (simulation, analysis, and synthesis)
- Testing and quality management (maintenance, service, and repair)
- Technical product management and sales
- Production (planning, control, management, logistics)
Work-friendly
Ideal for middle school graduates with or without previous work experience who wish to have the opportunity to step into the professional world while studying.