Banking, Insurance and Finance

Practical projects play a central role in the part-time Bachelor’s degree programme. They serve to transfer the theoretical content learnt in the degree programme into realistic application, actively incorporate the professional context and prepare students specifically for future tasks in the financial sector.

Compulsory elective courses with a project focus

In the fifth and sixth semesters, students choose one of three practice-oriented specialisations, each of which focuses on a current key topic in the industry:

1. Digital business in finance

Students focus on digital business models, platform strategies and FinTech innovations. In cooperation with partner companies from the banking and insurance sector, they analyse how digital services can be efficiently developed and integrated. Typical project tasks include analysing digital customer experiences, automating advisory processes or strategic issues relating to open banking and embedded finance.

2. Product Innovations

This specialisation is dedicated to the development and optimisation of innovative financial products. The practical projects deal with questions such as: What new insurance solutions are required as a result of climate risks? How can a sustainable investment product be developed and marketed? In collaboration with product managers or innovation departments, students work on prototypes, sales concepts or market analyses for new products in the banking and insurance sector.

3. Big data, AI & Data Analytics

The focus here is on data-based decision-making models and artificial intelligence. Students work with companies to develop data-driven analyses – for example for risk assessment, fraud detection or pricing. A project may, for example, consist of training a machine learning model for credit risk assessment or investigating the potential of predictive analytics in insurance sales.

Timing & programme structure

The practical projects are an integral part of the compulsory elective courses and are carried out in the fifth semester – i.e. in the advanced study phase, when students have already built up a solid foundation in business, law and finance. They take up several weeks per semester and are closely supervised by lecturers and company representatives.

The projects are worked on in small groups and culminate in professionally designed project reports and final presentations, which often take place directly in front of the partner companies. This ensures realistic performance requirements and valuable feedback from practice.

Corporate partners & career opportunities

The practical projects are developed in close collaboration with a large number of co-operation partners, including

• Banks (e.g. Raiffeisen, Steiermärkische Sparkasse, BKS Bank, Schellhammer Capital)
• Insurance companies (e.g. Grazer Wechselseitige, Merkur, Wiener Städtische, UNIQA, Generali,…)
• Investment companies (e.g. Security KAG)
• Management consultancies
• FinTechs and InsurTechs (e.g. Hi Sophia)
• Companies from industry and trade with their own finance department

This co-operation has many advantages for students:

• Direct insight into real-life problems and decision-making processes
• Establishment of a professional network, often with concrete prospects for:
• Internships or working student positions
• Bachelor’s thesis topics in cooperation with companies
• Direct job offers after graduation
• Training in key skills: project management, teamwork, presentation, communication, analytical thinking and independent solution development

Many students report that they have found their future field of work through the project work or have managed to enter a company directly through the project.

The practical projects combine sound specialised knowledge with concrete action training in a real company context. They not only promote professional specialisation in digital, innovative and data-based subject areas, but also personal development. Those who get actively involved not only gain deeper insights into the industry, but also build up valuable contacts for their own career – while still studying.