Founded in 1840, the Technical University of Leoben is an internationally recognized university for engineering and technology research in the field of “circular engineering” – the engineering and technical implementation of the circular economy: The Technical University of Leoben aims to develop innovative solutions for the more efficient use of materials such as plastics, metals, and ceramics, as well as various forms of energy. Waste should be minimized and returned to the material cycle, thereby reducing the impact on the climate and the environment – for a sustainable industrial future. The core areas of research and the 13 bachelor’s and 26 master’s degree programs focus on the fields of “resources,” “processes,” and “materials.” A doctorate can also be obtained in each of these areas. Due to the high quality of education, graduates are in demand worldwide and are well prepared for the challenges of the future.

With currently 3,000 students and around 1,200 employees, the Technical University of Leoben offers practice-oriented teaching and excellent fundamental research. Just under a third of the students are female, and 27 percent of the student body comes from around 90 different countries. The Technical University of Leoben thus combines mining tradition with modern values such as diversity, the promotion of women in STEM fields, and internationalization.

International networks and strong partnerships

Thanks to its interdisciplinary practical approach and strong partnerships with various industrial sectors and international industrial partners, as well as 150 international research institutions, the Technical University of Leoben plays a central role in the development of innovative solutions to challenges such as the circular economy, security of supply, green technologies, resource conservation, sustainable production methods, and energy efficiency. Total annual revenue amounts to around 114.5 million euros – approximately 5.4 million euros of which comes from EU projects. The university maintains numerous partnerships worldwide and is a member of various international networks, offering its students and researchers a wide range of global cooperation opportunities and job prospects in research, industry, and business. More than 1,500 publications are published annually and approximately 20 patents are filed. Furthermore, the Technical University of Leoben holds the highest share of cleantech patents among Austrian universities. This is clear evidence of its leading role and innovative strength in the field of green technologies.