Winter semester of 2015/16: Easing into the start of the semester

Administrative details

The semester and lectures start on 1 October 2015 (Overview of important dates). PLEASE NOTE: The general admission period for the winter semester of 2015/16 ended on 5 September 2015, and the extension period lasts until 30 November 2015. (Important deadlines and exceptions to the general admission period (in German))

In order to continue your studies in the winter semester, you will need to pay your tuition fees/Students’ Union fee. There are several ways to pay. 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 (formerly UNIVISonline) in order to continue your studies at the University of Vienna.

Please note: There is a new bank account for paying the tuition fees/Students' Union fee since the summer semester of 2015.

Please also note: If you are making a payment via online banking or payment form, it can take up to ten working days for the payment to show as paid in the account information in U:SPACE (formerly UNIVISonline) under "Tuition fees/Students’ Union fee". The semester sticker is sent by mail to the address registered with U:SPACE. It can also be printed out from the two self-service terminals (please read the signs on the terminals) in the Main Building (1010 Vienna, Universitätsring 1; in the corridor between the Audimax and the cafeteria in the basement).

NEW: The new portal for students at the University of Vienna has been available since mid-June 2015. On U:SPACE you can register for courses and examinations, view your grades and download your documents such as your student record sheet, transcript of records, confirmation of periods of study, etc.

Introductory and orientation period (STEOP)

At the University of Vienna, there is an introductory and orientation period (STEOP) in the first semester for the majority of our bachelor’s and teacher education programmes as well as for the two remaining diploma programmes (Law, Catholic Theology). 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 your studies.

Programmes exempt from the STEOP are Psychology, Mass Media and Communication Science, Sport Science and the school subject Sports and Physical Education.

Welcome event "UniLeben" (university life)

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

New students and even those already studying obviously have many questions they want to ask in relation to their studies. Student Point can help with many issues, but there are also numerous other service points (in German) in the University of Vienna with responsibility for various things, such as registration for courses and exams, recognitions, problems with u:account and many other issues.

Student Point primarily provides information on the topics of admission and tuition fees (e-mail: studentpoint(at)univie.ac.at, tel.: +43-1-4277-10600. The best time to call: Monday: 12:30-14:00, Tuesday-Friday: 12:00-14:00 (line is active: Monday: 12:30-16:00, Tuesday-Wednesday: 11:00-16:00, Thursday-Friday: 11:00-14:00). The best time to drop in: Monday: 9:00-10:00 (open until 10:45), Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00-10:00 (open until 11:00), Thursday: 14:30-17:15 (open until 18:00). InfoCenter in the Main Building of the University of Vienna, basement level, courtyard IV, staircase 6. You can generally talk to someone either in German or English. This service is also provided in French if you call in advance (+43-1-4277-10600).

If you have questions concerning ongoing studies (e.g. registering for courses and exams, recognition or entering marks), the best places to approach are the StudienServiceCenter (SSC) and the StudienServiceStellen (SSS).

General information associated with studying at the University of Vienna and support during your time as a student is also provided by the Austrian National Union of Students at the University of Vienna (ÖH Universität Wien, in German). Look under the "Beratungszentrum" (advisory centre, in German) menu tab on the ÖH website to find information on enrolment and the student advisory service, among other subjects. The faculty's and students' representatives (in German) usually compile an annotated course directory at the beginning of the semester. They also offer advisory sessions: they can help selecting a course, answer questions about your curriculum or about required exams.

You can also access support and advice via the Psychological Counselling Services: it's free, confidential, and you can access it anonymously if you wish.

How do I plan my semester?

An overview of all courses is provided by the course directory which is accessible online. Any courses supplemented via e-learning are marked. You will also find useful information on the subject of semester planning on the Student Point website.

Digital learning

The website of the Vienna University Computer Center (ZID) provides information about the University's e-learning services. In addition to Moodle, the platform for e-learning courses, the services on offer to students include lecture streaming and a university Wiki.

The range of online courses is continually expanding. The u:stream service enables the recording or live transmission of courses. There are currently 17 lecture halls that offer the necessary equipment: lecturers can use these facilities to record courses and make the recordings available to students via the e-learning platform.

Getting to know my university

"Get to know your university" is the theme of the tours at the start of the semester which take you through the Main Building of the University of Vienna. The tours run from 29 September to 2 October. Everyone who would rather find their way round their new place of study by themselves can borrow an audio guide from the porter in the Aula in the Main Building of the University of Vienna.

The following tours are available by prior arrangement: tour of the University of Vienna's Campus and special tours of the Klimt faculty pictures in the Main Ceremonial Chamber of the University of Vienna, as well as tours on the subjects of women at the University of Vienna and rainbow tours on the history of homosexuality at the University of Vienna. 

Student Space

Universities are places of learning and research, but also spaces where the cultural and social lives of students evolve. It is for this reason that the University of Vienna set up the Student Space project.

The key objective of this project is to work together to create the "university social space" together, to generate further improvements in the areas of learning and research and to develop more space for communication.

Researching in the University Library

Right on time for the start of the semester, the University Library (UB) is once again providing library tours and training in the use of the various catalogues and databases (the dates and times can be found on the Library website under the Services tab). The reading rooms and the reference library in the Main Library in the Main Building are open on weekdays until 22:00 and until 18:00 on Saturdays, including during the semester break in February 2016. See the opening times.

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 17 September 2015 in their diary, as this is the day that registration starts. It is also possible to register online. But be quick: the courses are popular and places fill up very fast! The A to Z of courses is available here from the beginning of September and the actual courses start from 1 October.

The Choir and Orchestra of the University of Vienna is looking for new members. There are eight choirs organised according to levels and two symphony orchestras that make it the largest choral and orchestral community of Austria, if not of Europe. It is giving concerts in Vienna and also further afield on various tours. Vocal auditions and instrumental auditions start in the end of September 2015. Further details are available on the Choir and Orchestra website under the Join us tab. Due to its great popularity a new Voice Club Beginners group is offered again after a one-year break. No audition is necessary.

Up to speed in languages

The Language Centre offers courses for 30 different languages at different levels, ERASMUS outgoing courses and subject-specific language courses. You have until 21 September 2015 to register for standard courses (once a week from 5 October 2015) or intensive courses (twice a week from 5 October and from 25 November).

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.

Up to speed in IT

So that you can stay up-to-date with the latest developments in picture editing, website design and word processing, the Vienna University Computer Center (ZID) offers IT courses every semester.
The ZID Helpdesk on the ground floor of the Neues Institutsgebäude (NIG) provides individual advisory sessions for all IT problems.

Other services offered by the University of Vienna for students include: the purchase of low-cost laptops (u:book sales promotion for the winter semester: 21 September to 18 October 2015), u:account (e-mail address, web space, etc.) and the use of the computer rooms.

For those who work particularly hard

Once a year, those students who have achieved exceptional grades can apply for a merit scholarship from the University of Vienna. 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 careers service at the University of Vienna, provides information about a range of jobs and placements, as well as advice on job applications.

Students with children

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

Students with special needs

Information for students with physical or mental disabilities can be found on the accessibility information for students website. The accessibility information for students team is available to answer any queries about the accessibility of the university buildings or access arrangements for exams (e-mail: barrierefrei(at)univie.ac.at).

The Student Advisory Board for accessible studying (Beirat "Barrierefrei Studieren") is dedicated to supporting disabled and chronically ill students (please also see information clip for students in their first semester). The University of Vienna also offers a bursary 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. Students can find out here at which partner universities in Europe they can study for one or two semesters on the ERASMUS programme.

Students and quality assurance

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

Up-to-date information everywhere

The University of Vienna events calendar provides an overview of university events. News from around the University of Vienna and information about current developments in academia can be found on the University of Vienna's website, in the online magazine "uni:view" , on the University of Vienna Blog, on the University of Vienna Facebook page, as well as on the YouTube channels and Twitter.

You already know what is going on? Test your knowledge with the University of Vienna Quiz. It is real fun to test and broaden your knowledge of the University, of university life as a student and of various research projects and activities. (ed.)