Location: Austria

Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences)

Fachhochschulen (FH) in Austria are higher education institutions that focus on practical, career-oriented education. Established in the 1990s, they offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees across various fields, including business, engineering, health sciences, and media.

The Faculty of Communication at Austrian Fachhochschulen offers practical, industry-focused education in fields such as media, marketing, public relations, journalism, and digital communication. The faculty places a strong emphasis on applied research and innovation, particularly in digital communication, media strategy, and storytelling. Many programs are equipped with state-of-the-art media labs and production studios, ensuring students graduate with cutting-edge skills that meet industry demands. The close industry connections, international partnerships, and interdisciplinary approach make Austrian FHs an excellent choice for future communication professionals.

Kirstie Riedl

Kirstie Riedl is International Course Manager, Academic Expert & Lecturer for Corporate Communication. Born in the UK, Riedl has been living in Vienna for 20 years. She holds a BA (hons) degree in German & Hispanic Studies, and an Executive MBA, both from British Universities. She is currently working on her PhD in the field of educational linguistics. Her business experience includes various marketing positions at Coca-Cola MENA in Bahrain, Sellotape UK, REWE Group Austria, Frisch & Frost Austria. Her last corporate position was heading the Distributor CEE Sales team at OMV Austria, where she worked for 5 years. She started at FHWien der WKW University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication, Vienna, in May 2016 and teaches Branded Entertainment, PR, supervises Bachelor’s and Master’s theses and coordinates adjunct lecturers for the English taught modules. Kirstie is also the head of the new program, International Sustainability Communication.

FHWien der WKW University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication

FHWien der WKW University of Applied Sciences is Austria’s leading university of applied sciences for management and communication. Working in close contact with Austrian corporations, FHWien der WKW offers comprehensive and practice-oriented academic programs to over 2,800 Bachelor’s and Master’s students.

FHWien der WKW currently offers 19 Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs, and the majority of the Bachelor’s programs are available either part-time or full-time, while all Master’s degree programs are offered on a part-time basis.

The Communication Management and Marketing & Sales Management study programs are accredited by the International Advertising Association (IAA Austrian Chapter). Two thirds of our teaching staff have a background in business; our programs are tailored to the needs of companies, optimally preparing our graduates – more than 12,700 to date – for their future careers. FHWien der WKW works closely with businesses in diverse industries on numerous projects. Our students must complete an internship, which helps them to put their acquired knowledge into practice. In business field projects with partners from the industry, students elaborate strategies and ideas for execution in communication and management within a real setting.

Sieglinde Martin
Sieglinde Martin has been working at FHWien der WKW since 2004 and is currently Head of Department of Communication. She is responsible for seven degree programs in the areas of Communication, Marketing & Sales and Journalism & Media Management. Prior to that, Martin gained 20 years of international experience in various management positions in marketing, public relations and sales management in national and international companies (Philips, Mondi Business Paper (formerly Neusiedler AG), Xeros, Neudörfler and most recently as an authorized signatory at Microsoft). Martin graduated from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration with a degree in Commercial Science. During her professional career she enjoyed a variety of further education in the fields of Human Resource Management, Business Leadership, Marketing and Communications at Kellogg University, Chicago, USA as well as at the University of Peddington, UK. She has been a systemically trained coach and NLP Practitioner since 2007. In 2017, Martin finished her PhD with her dissertation on “Leadership communication in a complexity-aware management of integrated communication in the digital age“.

Leyla Tavernaro-Haidarian
Leyla Tavernaro-Haidarian, MA is International Course Manager, Academic Expert and Lecturer and in charge of strategic internationalization in the Department of Communication at the Vienna University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication.
She has worked as a practitioner in the media industry and managed various aspects of communication in organizational settings, including her own media company and as leadership development consultant and senior researcher for the United Nations. In her publications she explores the nexus of communication, sustainability, and ethics.
Leyla serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Deliberative Democracy and is a member of the International Association for Media and Communication Research.