Vienna, Austria
WU is the EU’s largest educational institution for business and economics, business law, and social sciences, with about 26,000 students. It was founded in 1898 as the “Imperial Export Academy”, with a curriculum designed to prepare students for employment in international trade. In 1975 the name changed to what it is today, and the university experienced significant growth between 1981 and 1993. WU strongly values international education and research-based teaching, and maintains EQUIS accreditation for quality control. Construction on the new campus, including many buildings and much open green space, began in 2009 and the completion is scheduled for 2012.
The City
Vienna is one of the safest and most beautiful cities in Europe and is home to various international organizations like the UN Atomic Energy Agency, UNIDO, and OPEC, and is consistently rated as one of the world’s most livable cities. Vienna is the capital of Austria, one of Europe’s prime cultural centers, with a high concentration of cultural attractions. With so much beautiful architecture, a leisurely walk through the city is a fun and educational way to spend a lazy day. You can visit palaces, theaters, opera houses, and museums. There are also many seasonal attractions such as the Vienna Film Festival. The quality of life in this beautiful city is strong because of the many parks and green spaces that accommodate runners, bikers, hikers, and skaters. If you prefer to sit and relax, there are numerous cafes where you can grab a hot drink and a delicious pastry.
Student Life
With so many students attending WU, there are always activities students can get involved with. Students travel together through school organized trips, they join sport teams together and study and work together in the WU cafeterias and local cafes. Incoming exchange students will not only have the opportunity to interact with the many exchange students at WU each semester, but also the local students.
Services for Exchange Students
WU has long focused on international relations and services for the incoming international students. The International Office (IO) is a centralized university office service to assist both incoming and outgoing students and faculty members with all of their international needs. WU also offers to exchange students several programs and services in order for them to have a smooth start at WU and to culturally and socially immerse with the life in Vienna and in Austria. WU’s immersion programs for exchange students include the orientation and cultural program, intensive German courses (voluntary), tandem language learning programs, and options to engage and get to know the WU degree seeking students.
Term Dates
Winter Semester:
September to January (including orientation)
Classes for exchange students typically end before Christmas break.
Summer Semester:
February to June
Courses Available
WU has a good variety of courses in English at the graduate level in the content areas Law (tax, treaty, and corporate law), Supply Chain Management, Strategic Management, Human Resources, Negotiations, Communication, International Finance and Risk, Information Systems and e-Commerce, and European Studies
Students wishing to take the German language course for language improvement will be required to pay a fee for the course.
Languages
Many courses are taught in English. Students fluent in German could also elect to take courses in that language.
Grade Conversion
| WU grade | UF Graduate Business grade |
|---|---|
| 1 | S |
| 2 | S |
| 3 | S |
| 4 | U |
| 5 | U |
Credit Conversion
| WU credit | UF credit |
|---|---|
| 1 ECTS credits | 1 UF credits (1 X .6 = .6) |
| 2 ECTS credits | 1 UF credits (2.5 X .6 = 1.2) |
| 2.5 ECTS credits | 2 UF credits (2.5 X .6 = 1.5) |
| 3 ECTS credits | 2 UF credits (3 X .6 = 1.8) |
1 ECTS credit = .6 UF credit (rounded)
Minimum Credit Requirements
Full workload is 30 ECTS credits (equivalent to 18 UF credits) per semester. Students can take less with home university memo.
Estimated Costs
Approximately € 4,050* (~$5,400) per semester for housing, insurance, food, transportation, books etc. *Based on 2012 estimates.
Accommodation
Students coming to WU have two housing options. They can apply to live in the WU dorm, or they can seek private accommodation in the city. Dorm housing for WU incoming exchange students is arranged by the Austrian Exchange Service (OEAD). OEAD offers pre-reserved quotas in a range of student residences of different standards, prices, and locations. These quotas are reserved for incoming exchange students until May 15th (winter term) and November 15th (summer term). Thus, nominated students should apply early if they wish to get a space in the dorm. The rooms are double rooms and there is a shared kitchen and “lounge” on each floor. Dorms are in various locations within the city. Students can arrange private accommodation for a flat in the city and a database of rental services is on the WU International Office web site.
Travel Opportunities
Austria is a beautiful country with a wide variety of travel opportunities. Vienna has a major airport and a train station, thus making all of Europe accessible. Nearby destinations include (but are not limited to) Graz, Salzburg, Hungary, Munich and Venice. During the exchange semester, the International Office and local students organize one or two day excursions at least four times during the semester. Trips may include skiing or hiking in the nearby mountains, or trips to Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Prague, Budapest, Venice, and other unique places of interest in the heart of Europe. Even Paris can be reached by night train. These excursions are backed by a financial grant, enabling all exchange students to take part in as many excursions as possible.