In response to growing labor market demands, European higher education institutions must adapt their curricula to better equip graduates with industry-relevant competencies. This study examines hackathon-based learning as an active and experiential approach for educating software engineering students at Subotica Tech—College of Applied Sciences. The research investigates the integration of hackathons into the learning process, evaluating their impact on student engagement, technical proficiency, and academic performance. A student survey was conducted to assess perceptions of this learning method, while a comparative analysis of final exam results was performed to determine its influence on learning outcomes. Findings reveal that students who participated in hackathon-based learning achieved higher academic performance, improved software development skills, and greater consistency in exam results. By providing insights into the organization and execution of hackathon-based learning, this study offers practical recommendations for academic institutions seeking to enhance their curricula through innovative, industry-aligned teaching methods. The findings contribute to the broader discussion on experiential learning models and their role in bridging the gap between theoretical education and real-world software engineering practices.