Winter semester of 2019/20: Easing into the start of the semester

Administrative details
The semester and the lectures start on 1 October 2019 (overview of important dates). Information on the admission procedure an on the application and admission periods are available on the website of Teaching Affairs and Student Services.

Paying the tuition fee/Students’ Union fee
In order to continue your studies in the winter semester, you have to pay your tuition fee/Students’ Union fee. There are several ways to pay. 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". 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.

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

The best contact points for particular questions during your studies are the StudiesServiceUnit (SSS) or the StudiesServiceCenter (SSC) as well as the students’ representatives of the relevant degree programme (e.g. for subject-related information on studies and the range of courses, the registration system, registration and de-registration deadlines, exams, recognition of exams and graduation).
The Teaching Affairs and Student Services team informs you about the admission to degree programmes, tuition fees, entrance exam procedure/aptitude procedure and general study matters via their website and information events, or by e-mail and phone.

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 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.

Any questions left unanswered?

At the counselling centre of the Austrian National Union of Students at the University of Vienna you find the answers and/or the right contact details to help you with unusual queries. And: This is where you get your popular cafeteria sticker (Mensen-Pickerl, giving you a EUR 0.80 discount off every menu in the Mensa) as well as the copying sticker (reduced copy card of the Austrian National Union of Students with 220 copies for EUR 10).

At the beginning of each semester, the students’ representatives at the University of Vienna offer academic advising services for first-semester students, providing advice on the selection of courses, on the curriculum or the exams that have to be taken, and much more. You can also receive support and advice at the Psychological Counselling Services: it is free, confidential and you can use it anonymously if you like.

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. 

The blog contribution "5 steps for admission to a master’s programme" explains the most important steps for admission to a master’s programme.

Digital learning

The e-learning platform of the University of Vienna is called Moodle: On Moodle, virtual courses are set up to upload course material, allow communication between teachers and students or provide u:stream recordings. Many lecture halls at the University of Vienna are already equipped with u:stream, offering the possibility to stream courses.

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 in 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 different collections at the University of Vienna (available by prior arrangement).

Researching in the University Library

With a stock of over 7.4 million books, 513,000 e-books, 67,000 e-journals, 7,400 print journals, the Vienna University Library is Austria's largest library. At the same time it is also the oldest university library in the German-speaking area, dating from 1365. The reading rooms and the catalogue room 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 2020. (Detailed opening hours)

The 42 special and department libraries stock 4.6 million books, journals, maps and other materials for teaching, research and studying.

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 18 September 2019 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 online as of 1 September and the actual courses start in the first week of October.

The Vienna University Philharmonic is looking for new members as well. There are eight choirs and two symphony orchestras, comprising more than 1,000 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 2019 to register for standard semester courses (once a week, starting on 8 October 2019) (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: the purchase of low-cost laptops (u:book sales promotion in the summer semester: 25 February until 24 March 2020), 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 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. 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 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 access arrangements for exams (e-mail: barrierefrei@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 students with disabilities.

Studying further afield...

Anyone who intends to study one semester or two semesters abroad as part of their degree programme will find the information they need at the University of Vienna's International Office. On their website you will find information about 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 evaluated by students by means of degree programme-specific questionnaires. The feedback is analysed and forwarded to our teaching staff, the directorates of studies and the Rectorate (information video).

Up-to-date information everywhere

The University of Vienna's 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 univie Blog, on the University of Vienna's Facebook page as well as on the YouTube channel, Twitter, Instagram or the monthly Research Newsletter. (red)

*Conditions of participation for the University of Vienna’s online prize draws