Winter semester of 2017/18: Easing into the start of the semester

Administrative details

The semester and the lectures start on 2 October 2017 (overview of important dates and deadlines). PLEASE NOTE: The general admission period for the winter semester of 2017/18 ends on 5 September 2017. The extended admission period lasts until 30 November 2017. (Detailed information on the admission procedure)

In order to continue your studies in the winter semester, you will need to pay your tuition fees/Students’ Union fee. There are several payment options. 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". The semester sticker is sent to you by mail to the delivery address indicated in u:space under "Personal matters > Personal data"). Moreover, the sticker can also be printed out from two of the five self-service terminals in the Main Building (in the corridor between the Audimax and the cafeteria in the basement). Please read the signs on the terminals carefully.

NEW: As of autumn 2017, the University of Vienna offers a new student ID card – the so-called u:card. The first new u:cards will be handed out to new entrants in the winter semester. Afterwards, all existing student ID cards will be gradually replaced. (Photo: Universität Wien/Barbara Mair)

Important information for transfer students

Admission at the University of Vienna is also possible in the summer semester except for programmes with entrance examination and aptitude procedures. Aptitude procedures/entrance examinations apply only if the number of applicants exceeds the number of available study places. They usually take place once a year before the winter semester starts and the results are valid for 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 and 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. The directorates of studies and the studies services centers will inform you whether it is possible to start your studies in the summer semester. 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 from A to Z and basic information on starting your studies and contact details).

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). Student Point 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).

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).

The faculty's and students' representatives at the University of Vienna regularly offer counselling sessions for new students at the beginning of the semester on topics such as the selection of courses, curricula or required examinations, etc.

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.

Digital learning

The website of the Vienna University Computer Center (ZID) provides information on the University's e-learning services. In 2017, u:stream will be significantly modernised. Already in the summer semester, five lecture halls will 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 guided tours through the Main Building of the University of Vienna. Tickets are available at the porter's desk in the Aula (main entrance) in the Main Building (discounts for students: EUR 3.50). 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 faculty pictures by Klimt or different collections at the University of Vienna (available by prior arrangement).

Researching in the University Library

From the start of the semester, the University Library 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 September 2017 in their diary, as this is the day that registration starts. You can also register for the courses online. Be quick: USI courses are very popular and often fully booked quickly. The A to Z of courses (in German only) is available here from the beginning of September and the actual courses start in the first week of October.

The Choir and Orchestra of the University of Vienna is also 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 early October. 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, ERASMUS outgoing courses and English for Specific Purposes courses. You have until 18 September 2017 to register for standard semester courses (once a week, starting on 2 October 2017) or semi-intensive courses (twice a week, starting on 2 October). 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

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 and offers for students of the University of Vienna include: low-cost laptops offered by the u:book service (u:book sales promotion in the winter semester: 25 September until 22 October 2017, in German only), u:account (e-mail address, web space, etc.) or using the computer rooms (in German only).

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 scholarships and project grants. 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 career service, provides information on a range of jobs and placements as well as advice on job applications.

The Erasmus+ programme makes stays abroad possible.

Students with children

Students with children can access the services provided by the University of Vienna's Children's Office. These services include counselling, 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 examinations (e-mail: barrierefrei@univie.ac.at). The Student Advisory Board 'Accessible Studying' (in German only) is dedicated to supporting disabled and chronically ill students (also see the information clip for new students, in German only). The University of Vienna also offers a grant for the specific support of students with disabilities (in German only).

Studying further afield ...

Anyone who intends to study abroad for one or two semesters as part of their programme will find the information they need at the University of Vienna's International Office: On this 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 teaching offers, curriculum development and services for students. Feedback is collected systematically by the Unit for Quality Assurance. Courses are 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 - in German only).

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 on 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's Blog, on the University of Vienna's Facebook page as well as on YouTube, Twitter and Instagram. (red)

*Conditions of participation (in German only) for the University of Vienna’s online prize draws