Winter semester of 2018/19: Easing into the start of the semester

Administrative details

The semester and the lectures start on 1 October 2018 (overview of important dates). PLEASE NOTE: The general admission period for the winter semester of 2018/19 ends on 5 September 2018. The extended admission period ends on 30 November 2018. (Information on the admission procedure)

Requirements: In order to continue your studies in the winter semester, you have to pay your tuition fee/Students’ Union fee. There are several payment options. For information about continuing your studies if you have already paid your tuition fee/Students’ Union fee at another Austrian university, please visit the website of Teaching Affairs and Student Services.

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 fee/Students’ Union fee".

u:card: After they have paid their tuition fee/Students’ Union fee, new entrants receive the u:card – the new student ID card of the University of Vienna. It will be sent via mail to the address specified on u:space under "Personal Matters > My u:card". You have to sign the u:card and validate it at one of the u:card terminals at the beginning of every semester. 

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) (https://slw.univie.ac.at/en/studying/study-organisation/introductory-and-orientation-period-steop/). The STEOP gives students an insight into their degree 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.

In addition, orientation courses at the beginning of the semester help you plan your first semester and provide important information about your degree programme at the University of Vienna.

Moreover, the Accessible Studying team offers an information day providing information about accessible studying – the Welcome Day (registration).

The University of Vienna also offers a grant for the specific support of disabled students.

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. If you combine your bachelor’s programme with certain extension curricula, you have a wider range of options when deciding on a master’s programme. The Master Access Guide outlines which degree programmes you have to complete for admission to a particular master’s programme. 

Digital learning
                                                                                                                                              
The website of the Vienna University Computer Center (ZID) provides information about the University's e-learning services. In 2017, u:stream was significantly modernised. In the winter semester, five lecture halls will already feature new equipment and control systems. In the remaining lecture halls the previous u:stream technology is still in use.

Getting to know my University       

Every Thursday and Saturday there are tours of the Main Building of the University of Vienna. Tickets are available at the porter's desk in the Aula of the Main Building (discounts for students: EUR 3.50 per ticket). Everyone who would rather find their way around their new place of study by themselves can borrow an audio guide from the porter.

We also recommend the guided tours of the Campus of the University of Vienna, the guided tours of women’s history at the University of Vienna, the rainbow tours on the history of homosexuality at the University of Vienna, as well as other special guided tours on a wide range of topics, such as the Wolf Science Centre, the Haidlhof Research Station as well as tours of scientific collections.

The Vienna University Philharmonic is looking for new members as well. There are eight choirs and two symphony orchestras, comprising almost 900 musicians in total, of all levels and age groups. This makes the Vienna University Philharmonic 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 the winter semester. Further details are available on their 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 24 September 2018 to register for standard semester courses (once a week, starting on 8 October 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.

Up to speed in IT                                                                                                                                   

In order for you to 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 provides support with university-specific IT services.

Other services for students offered by the University of Vienna include: low-cost laptops for students (u:book sales promotion in the winter semester: 24 September until 21 October 2018), u:account (e-mail address, web space, etc.) or using the computer rooms.

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 sponsorship opportunities. 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. If you are interested in stories about career and career choices, please read the uniport blog. ABAk, targeted especially at students with disabilities, is a great opportunity to find placements or jobs directly after the completion of a degree programme.

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 counselling, childcare services or the Flying Nanny service.