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

University – a whole new universe? Tips, important dates and services to help you have a successful start to the winter 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.

Be well-prepared for the start of the winter semester:
At the beginning of the semester, the University of Vienna invites you to visit the welcome event unileben that will take place on Tuesday, 1 October and Wednesday, 2 October 2019. It offers plenty of information and services for students. You can register for the free workshops and tours from mid-September onwards on the unileben website (in German). (© Klaus Ranger)

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.

TIPP: u:space accompanies you through the semester
The u:space portal offers you all the services you need for organising your university life. You can pay your tuition fee/Students' Union fee online, download your documents (such as your student record sheet, transcript of records, confirmation of enrolment) and register for courses and exams via u:find, etc. Our detailed video tutorials help you organise your studies. (© University of Vienna/Barbara Mair)

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.

INTERESTING READING: "Es war einmal … Studienbegriffe, die es so an der Uni Wien nicht mehr gibt" Immatrikulation? c.t.? Prüfungsreferat? – University life can be really complicated sometimes. Especially, if you come across unfamiliar terms. Barbara Hamp from Teaching Affairs and Student Services offers a translation aid for terms that are no longer used at the University of Vienna in the univie Blog. (© Georg Herder)

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.

TIP: Students tell their stories
You can go through studies in one way or another. Especially, at the University of Vienna, there are many ways through studies. As part of the Humans of University of Vienna initiative, students explain how they spend their everyday lives, what the gist of university life is and what incites them to study. (© 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.

PRIZE DRAW: ALREADY DRAWN!
In cooperation with the Online-Shop of the University of Vienna, uni:view offers you the chance to win 1 of 3 university hoodies in navy, grey or azure (unisex). (© University of Vienna)

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.

INTERESTING READING: "Erweiterungscurricula – Friends with benefits" (extension curricula - friends with benefits)
The University offers a wide range of extension curricula that may open up additional opportunities after completing your bachelor's programme. Barbara Hamp from Teaching Affairs and Student Services tells more about it in her Blogbeitrag. (© Universität Wien/Barbara Mair)

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.

TIP: Blogging with us
The Uni Wien Blog is a rich collection of stories about people who shape the University of Vienna. Students, alumni/alumnae, teaching staff, researchers, employees, etc. can seize the opportunity to write about their personal experiences, tips and tricks, everyday life or about their highlights at the University of Vienna in the official blog of the University of Vienna. (© University of Vienna/Barbara Mair)

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).

TIP: Take a beginning of the semester tour
All students are invited to a free tour of the Main Building of the University of Vienna that takes place at the beginning of October. Further information on the dates and registration will be available from mid-September onwards on the unileben-Website. (© Universität Wien/Franz Pfluegl)

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.

"In welcher Bib lernt ihr am liebsten?" (Which library do you prefer for studying?) In addition to the Main Library, there are 42 special libraries at the University of Vienna. Students of the University of Vienna tell us, which of the special libraries they prefer for 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. 

PRIZE DRAW: ALREADY DRAWN!
In cooperation with the Language Centre, the University of Vienna offers the chance to win a language course in the winter semester of 2019/20 (to the value of EUR 360). (© University of Vienna/derknopfdruecker.com)

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.

TIP: Low-cost laptops for students
The u:book sales promotion for the winter semester of 2019 runs from 23 September to 20 October 2019. (© University of Vienna/Barbara Mair

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).

INTERESTING READING: Communicating research as a comic strip.
In the research comics series “Wissensblick” complex academic findings are presented as a comic strip. Simply have a look!

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.

Early stage researchers take the stage
What is a beautiful body and what is an ugly body? And who makes these decisions? The video series "Bühne frei: Junge WissenschafterInnen im Porträt” (presenting... portraits of early stage researchers) presents the work of doctoral candidates at the University of Vienna.  The Anglicist Elisabeth Lechner conducts research on the visibility and popularity of “ugly” female bodies in popular culture and the body positivity movement on social media.

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.

INTERESTING READING: Article "Studieren mit Beeinträchtigung. Das Team Barrierefrei unterstützt!"(students with impairments: the Accessible Studying team offers support)
University life often becomes a challenge for students with physical or mental impairments. The Accessible Studying team advises and assists students with impairments and tries to prevent unnecessary obstacles before they can even occur. (© Accessible Studying team)

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.

INTERESTING READING: (why I kept going abroad)
Erasmus, language assistance and traineeship: Alumna Sophia Dessl has tried everything. In her blog contribution, she draws her personal conclusions from four stays abroad within five years.

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).

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Warum ist Feedback wichtig? (Why is feedback important?)
In research, feedback is self-evident and taken for granted. By promoting an active feedback culture, the University of Vienna aims at introducing students to academic practice. Feedback from teachers given to students provides information about the current level of knowledge. Feedback from students given to teachers can help teachers improve their teaching.

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)

TIP: Engage in social debates
Each semester the University of Vienna poses its academics a question that is of relevance for today’s society. The current semester question and the researchers’ answers are always made available from the beginning of the semester under semesterfrage.univie.ac.at as well as on social media under #SEMESTERFRAGE. As part of a cooperation with derStandard.at, experts respond to the readers’ questions. (© University of Vienna)

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