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.
Please note: students are not accepted into the program until they submit their application and deposit to the UF International Center. You can start your online application today!
The City: Vienna, Austria
Vienna is one of the safest, most beautiful capital cities in Europe, is home to key international organizations like the UN Atomic Energy Agency, UNIDO, and OPEC, and is consistently rated as one of the world’s most livable cities. The Austrian capital is one of Europe’s prime cultural centers, with a high concentration of cultural attractions. On a lazy day, the abundance of beautiful architecture makes leisure walks through the city fun and educational. You can visit numerous 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, streets are spotted with cafes where you can grab a hot drink and a delicious pastry.
Student Life
WU’s large student population ensures plenty of activities for exchange students to get involved in. Students travel together through school organized trips, join sport teams and can also work in the WU cafeterias and local cafes. Exchange students not only have the opportunity to interact with many exchange students at WU each semester, but also the local students. The International Office (IO) is a centralized university office which assist both incoming and outgoing students and faculty members with all of their international needs. WU offers several programs and services to exchange students 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
UF Fall Semester (WU Winter Semester)
Early October to early February
Most of the courses in English for exchange students end before Christmas. Students also have the option to take the regular WU courses which end in February.
UF Spring Semester (WU Summer Semester)
Late February to late June
Courses Available
WU offers a wide variety of English-taught courses in multiple disciplines. Detailed course outlines, course material and instructions for registration are available on WU’s website. Use our course equivalency database to find out which courses at WU can apply to your UF degree. Please see an academic advisor for information pertaining to requesting additional equivalencies.
Undergraduate courses offered in past semesters: Foreign Exchange Risk, International Capital Flows and Transition Economics, International Finance, Export Marketing Management, Social Policy in Europe, International Marketing, Global Consumer Behavior, International Supply Chain Management, and many others.
Language of Instruction
Courses are taught in English. In addition, exchange students may attend Business German language courses at several levels or choose from a wide range of courses taught in German.
Grade Conversion
| WU grade assigned | UF grade assigned |
|---|---|
| Excellent | A |
| Good | A |
| Satisfactory | B |
| Sufficient | C |
| Fail | E |
Credit Conversion
| WU Credit | UF Credit |
|---|---|
| 6 | 3 UF credits |
Full workload is 30 ECTS credits (equivalent to 18 UF credits) per semester. Students can take less with home university memo.
Estimated Expenses
| Rough Expense Comparison | Semester at UF | Semester at WU |
|---|---|---|
| UF Tuition | $3,190 | $3,190 |
| UFIC Admin. Fee | - | $425 |
| Health Insurance | - | $192 |
| Airfare | - | $1,500 |
| Housing / Utilities | $2,995 | $2,850 |
| Computer / Cell Phone | $585 | $345 |
| Food | $2,300 | $1,750 |
| Books | $445 | $175 |
| Transportation | $560 | $250 |
| Visa | - | $150 |
| Total | $10,075 | $10,827 |
- UF Cost of Attendance determined by Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
- WU Cost of Attendance determined by UF International Center
- WU Cost of Attendance determined by WU web page for incoming exchange students
Accommodation
Students have two housing options at WU. They can apply to live in a 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. Dorms are located in various locations within the city.
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.