Quick Facts

• With about 23,000 students from Austria and abroad, WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) is the EU's largest educational institution for business and economics, business law and social sciences. 
• Courses at WU are available in German, as well as in English, including over 180 English-taught courses for exchange students offered every term in a broad variety of business fields.  
• WU has about 230 partner universities worldwide. About 1,000 exchange students come to WU every year, benefiting from WU’s academic excellence and its wide range of programs and specializations.

Location Details

Studying at WU also means studying in the heart of Europe in one of the world's safest and most beautiful cities. Vienna is sure to provide students with many opportunities to continue education both in and outside the classroom.

Vienna is both one of Austria’s nine federal provinces and the national capital, with 1.7 million people living in the city of Vienna and 2.4 million people living in the greater metropolitan area. Its geographical location in the center of Europe makes it an important hub for international organizations and companies, including UNO, OSCE, OPEC, and the CEE headquarters of Coca-Cola and Henkel. It is also an ideal starting point for travel to other European cities like Paris, Rome, or Prague. The city is rich in tradition and influenced by a variety of cultures, which is reflected in the art, music, food, and other attractions Vienna has to offer.
 

Visa Information

U.S. citizens will require a visa* in order to participate in this program. Limited information about the visa application process may be provided by the ASU Study Abroad Office and/or your host institution, but it is your sole responsibility to research, apply, and secure a visa. Failure to obtain a visa may result in your inability to participate and, ultimately, your withdrawal from the program, subject to the terms of the Study Abroad Withdrawal Policy. 

Consult this page for additional information regarding visas. If you need assistance securing a U.S. Passport, visit the ASU U.S. Passport Acceptance Office in Tempe.

PLEASE NOTE: Visa requirements for non U.S. citizens may differ from those for U.S. citizens; students who are not U.S. citizens are advised to contact their International Coordinator and begin independently researching the visa requirements for their nationality as soon as possible.

*At the time of writing. This information is subject to change without notice; students should independently confirm this requirement with the relevant consulate/embassy.

Academic Program & Courses

WU’s membership in high-profile networks like CEMS (The Global Alliance in Management Education) and PIM (Partnership in International Management) gives students exciting opportunities to interact with international academic and business partners. WU does consistently well in international university rankings and has been EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) accredited since 2007.

The realization of the new Campus WU in 2013 represents another important step in the university’s development, and a milestone toward reaching its goal of further improving its top position among European business schools.

WU’s portfolio of programs in business administration, economics, social sciences, and business law includes two bachelor programs, 15 MSc programs, and four doctoral/PhD programs.
 
Around 150 courses are taught in English every semester. These cover all the areas of business, such as Marketing, International Business, Strategic Management, Finance and Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management and other.
 
In addition to these courses in English, WU also offers its exchange students the opportunity to attend Business German courses for several skill levels and to choose from a wide range of courses in German. Courses are thought by local and international faculty.
 
Although the winter semester (fall term) at WU officially finishes in January, a great number of courses in English already ends in mid-December. This gives WU’s incoming students from overseas the possibility to successfully complete their exchange by mid-December and fly back home before the Christmas break. Note: fall semester students should take care to only register for courses that will allow them to return to the U.S. before the Christmas break in order to return back to ASU for the spring semester.

Course lists including course syllabi can be found here.
 

Access a list of courses other ASU students have taken and view current course equivalencies.
 

Credit & Grade Conversion Scale

Click Here to view how credits and grades at Vienna University of Economics and Business will convert to ASU credits and grades.

Program Housing

Exchange students coming to Vienna have two housing options: Most of the students stay in a student residence hall, which is made available by WU in cooperation with the OeAD (Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research - Housing Office Vienna). Alternatively students can also seek private accommodations. For students who are interested in staying in a private accommodation, WU has a partnership with Housing Anywhere, a student-to-student platform.
 
For further information please refer to:
http://www.wu.ac.at/io/en/incoming/exchangein/housing

Photo courtesty of WU

Below you will find information that may help you in planning for your study abroad experience. Early discussions and planning can help to support you in having a positive experience abroad. We invite you to meet with the International Coordinator for this program to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Physical Considerations

Study abroad participants may find themselves walking or taking public transit abroad more frequently than they are accustomed at their home campus.

Disability Accommodations Abroad

Individuals with disabilities can and do study abroad, but may find accessibility and accommodation in one of more of this program’s locations very different from the United States. For example, in Austria, older city sections and more rural towns are less accessible due to centuries-old architecture, which includes cobblestone streets, narrow staircase entryways, and small indoor spaces. It is best to inquire in advance whether a destination offers specific services.

In general, the Study Abroad Office cannot guarantee access to public transportation, buildings, or public sites on this program. Any student who anticipates needing any kind of special accommodation due to a disability should contact the ASU Study Abroad Office early in the planning process to investigate the availability of accommodations (including accessible facilities) on this specific program. Contact the Disability Resource Center and your Disability Access Consultant to include them in the discussion; be sure to give your Disability Access Consultant permission to speak with the Study Abroad Office on your behalf. You can find additional information and resources on our Students with Disabilities page.

LGBTQIA Students Abroad

Students of diverse sexual orientations or gender identities will find that the social climate, laws, and norms of other cultures will often differ from the U.S. If you identify as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer student - or if you are still exploring your identity - you may face unique challenges when traveling abroad. 

We encourage students who identify as members of the LGBTQIA community to visit the U.S. Department of State website for helpful information about laws and attitudes in this program’s locations, including pre-travel tips and advice on staying safe while abroad. You can find additional information and resources on our LGBTQIA Students page.

Gender Identity Abroad

When traveling abroad, you may find different gender roles and norms than you’re used to. It’s possible that you may be treated differently or be expected to treat others differently based on your (or their) gender identity. 

You can find additional information and resources on our Gender Identity Abroad page.

Racial and Ethnic Minorities Abroad

Students of different ethnic and racial backgrounds may encounter unique challenges transitioning from life here in the United States to life as a student living abroad, including but not limited to access to personal care products and services. For example, in Austria, racism and discrimination do occur, but seem to be directed more towards immigrants from Africa or the Middle East. Students not of European descent may have difficulty finding personal care products and services.

You can prepare yourself for the situations you may experience by researching the ethnic composition of your host country and exploring its history of racial and ethnic relations. We encourage students to start that research on our Racial and Ethnic Minority Students page.

Cost Information

Exchange program participants will pay ASU tuition and fees for the term of the Exchange program, according to the individual student's classification and degree level. In addition to ASU tuition and fees, participants are also responsible for paying the following fees:

• $50 Application Fee (non-refundable)
• $400 Administrative Fee (non-refundable)
• Carbon Offset Fee*
• International Travel Service Fee (Including Insurance)*

The program may allow for time which can be spent in non-program activities. Participants may wish to travel, sightsee or participate in activities or events in which they have a personal interest. Please note that the participant is fully responsible for making arrangements and for all costs of transportation, lodging, food and additional expenses that may be associated with any non-Program activities.

*The actual amount of the International Travel Service Fee charged to each student depends on the program duration and the Carbon Offset Fee will increase annually (in July) by approximately $2.

Funding Your Study Abroad Program

Studying abroad is an investment in your future, which requires careful planning and management. However, the personal, academic, and professional rewards that you will gain from this experience will last a lifetime. You should carefully consider costs, budgets and financing when selecting and preparing for your experience abroad. If you have questions at any step of the process, we encourage you to reach out to your International Coordinator for guidance.

Steps to Financing Your Study Abroad Program

1. Review the Considering Costs Table for a general overview and cost comparison of popular programs.
2. Be sure to reference the Fall Semester, Spring Semester Cost Sheet or the Academic Year Cost Sheet to find a breakdown of program expenses.
3. Attend a Financing Your Study Abroad Workshop.
4. Consider your Financial Aid options.
5. Search and Apply for Scholarships and Grants.
6. Exhaust your options by exploring Additional Funding Resources including our Community-Based Funding Guide.
7. View our  Financing Your Study Abroad Program Handbook for more information, including Payment Information.

Unique Funding Opportunities for This Program

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
• Special Scholarship Opportunity Available for this exchange program. Please see this link for details. 

Photos

Links to Additional Resources

• ASU Study Abroad on Facebook
• U.S. Department of State
• ASU U.S. Passport Acceptance Office
• STA Travel Airfare Deposit Program*

*The ASU Study Abroad Office does not officially endorse, administer or monitor the content of these links.