Summer semester of 2018: Easing into the start of the semester

Administrative details

The summer semester of 2018 and the lectures start on 1 March 2018 (overview of important dates).
PLEASE NOTE: The general admission period for the summer semester of 2018 ends on 5 February 2018. The extended admission period lasts until 30 April 2018. (Information on the admission procedure)

Please note: If your secondary school leaving certificate is not issued in an EU/EEA country in which German is not an offical language, please refer to the information about the requirements and deadlines on the website of Teaching Affairs and Student Services.

In order to continue your studies in the summer semester, you will need to pay your tuition fees/Students’ Union fee. There are several ways to pay it. Do not forget: If you have already paid your tuition fees/Students’ Union fee at another university, you still have to re-enrol on your degree programme via u:space in order to continue your studies at the University of Vienna.

Please note: If you make a payment via online banking or payment form, it can take up to seven working days for the payment to show as paid in the account information in u:space under "Financial matters > Tuition fees/Students’ Union fee". As soon as we have received your payment, you can validate your u:card – the University of Vienna’s student ID card – for the current semester at one of the u:card terminals.

NEW: As of 9 April 2018, students can pay for printed documents using their u:card at selected u:print devices. By the winter semester 2018, all locations will change from Facultas copy card payment to the new u:print payment system.

Important information for transfer students

Admission at the University of Vienna is also possible in the summer semester except for programmes with entrance examinations/aptitude procedures. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available places, an entrance examination and aptitude procedure takes place once a year prior to the respective winter semester, and it applies to the entire academic year.  

In addition, the University of Vienna provides an introductory and orientation period (STEOP) in almost all bachelor's, teacher education and diploma programmes (Law, Catholic Theology) in the first semester. The STEOP gives students an insight into their programme, so that they can make up their minds whether the subject will meet their expectations and whether they can meet the programme requirements. Completing the STEOP is a prerequisite for continuing with their studies. Programmes that are currently exempt from the STEOP are Psychology, Mass Media and Communication Science, Sport Science and the school subject Sports and Physical Education (range of degree programmes at the University of Vienna).

The directorates of studies and the studies service centers will inform you whether it is possible to start your studies in the summer semester.

If I have questions about my degree programme, who can I ask?

The Teaching Affairs and Student Services team can help you with issues concerning your studies. The best contact points for particular questions during your studies are the studies service unit (SSS) or the studies service center (SSC) as well as the students’ representatives (e.g. for subject-related information on studies and the range of courses, the registration system, registration and de-registration deadlines, examinations, recognition of examinations and graduation). The Teaching Affairs and Student Services team informs you about the admission to degree programmes, tuition fees, entrance examinations/aptitude procedures and general study matters via the Internet and information events or by e-mail and phone. (MailCenter: studentpoint(at)univie.ac.at, CallCenter: +43-1-4277-10600).

How do I plan my semester?

u:find serves not only as the online course directory but also as the staff and unit directory of the University of Vienna. The course directory outlines all courses including information on the lecturers, registration procedures, e-learning and much more. Additional information on the topic of semester planning is available here.

What comes after the bachelor’s examination?

For admission to a master’s programme, you need to have completed a bachelor’s (or diploma) programme in the same or a related discipline. Therefore, it is important to consider which master’s programme you are interested in already at the beginning of your studies. The Master Access Guide outlines which degree programmes you have to complete for admission to a particular master’s programme.

Barbara Hamp from the Teaching Affairs and Student Services provides a step-by-step instruction on how to proceed to gain admission.

Researching in the University Library      

From the start of the semester, the University Library (UB) once again offers library tours and training in the use of the various catalogues and databases (the dates and times can be found on the Library website in the Services section). The reading rooms and the reference library in the Main Library in the Main Building are open until 22:00 on weekdays and until 18:00 on Saturdays, including during the semester holidays in February 2018. (Detailed opening hours)

Recreation: Sport and music

Anyone wanting to sign up for one of the many low-cost sport courses and dancing classes offered by the University Sport Institute (USI) should put 20 February 2018 in their diary, as this is the day that registration starts. You can also register for the courses online. But be quick: the courses are popular and places fill up very fast! The A to Z of courses is available from the beginning of February and the actual courses start in the first week of March.

The Choir and Orchestra of the University of Vienna is also looking for new members. There are eight choirs and two symphony orchestras, comprising almost 900 musicians in total, of all levels and age groups. This makes it one of the largest choral and orchestral communities worldwide. The repertoire ranges from classical music to pop, world music, musical and jazz. Vocal and instrumental auditions start in early March. Further details are available on the Choir and Orchestra website under the "Join us" tab.

Up to speed in languages

The Language Centre of the University of Vienna offers courses for 30 different languages at different levels, language courses for ERASMUS students and courses in English for Specific Purposes. You have time until 19 February 2018 to register for standard semester courses (once a week, starting on  5 March 2018) (online course finder: “Which course suits me?”). The Language Blog features monthly contributions on the topic of language learning.

People who would like to offer lessons in their language in exchange for lessons in another language can sign up for the Language Swap Shop run by the Language Centre.

For those who work particularly hard

Students can apply for a merit scholarship and check previous applications in u:space under "Financial matters". There are also other grants and project sponsorships. A large number of other sponsorship opportunities are listed in the Austrian Database for Scholarships and Research Grants maintained by the Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research (OeAD).

Gaining work experience

Gaining work experience is a valuable complement to your studies. UNIPORT, the University of Vienna's careers service, provides information about a range of jobs and placements as well as advice on job applications.

The Erasmus+ programme makes stays abroad possible.

Students with children

Students who are also parents can use the services provided by the University of Vienna's Children's Office. These services include advice, child-minding or the Flying Nanny.

Studying with special needs

Information for students with physical or mental impairments can be found on the 'Accessible Studying' website. The Accessible Studying team is available to answer any queries about the accessibility of the university buildings or alternative examination methods (e-mail: barrierefrei(at)univie.ac.at). The Student Advisory Board 'Accessible Studying' is dedicated to supporting disabled and chronically ill students (please also see information clip for new students). The University of Vienna also offers a grant for the specific support of disabled students.

Studying further afield ...

Anyone who intends to study abroad as part of their programme will find the information they need at the University of Vienna's International Office. On their website, you will find information on application deadlines for ERASMUS, Non-EU Student Exchange and many other mobility schemes.

Evaluating courses                             

The University of Vienna is very interested in feedback from its students and graduates. The results feed into the further development of teaching offers, the curriculum and services for students. Feedback is collected systematically via the Unit for Quality Assurance. Courses are methodically evaluated by students by means of degree programme-specific questionnaires. The analysed feedback is forwarded to our teaching staff, the directorates of studies and the Rectorate (information video).

*Conditions of participation for online prize draws at the University of Vienna