University of Vienna

About: 

Founded in 1365, the University of Vienna is the oldest German-speaking university. Due to its long and rich history, it has become one of the largest universities in Europe and is especially recognised for its research and teaching in the Humanities. The university hosts around 91,700 students, of which around 2,700 are international exchange students. 

Highlights: 

The university has 21 Nobel laureates among its alumni, including Erwin Schrödinger for Physics and Friedrich Hayek for Economics. The university buildings are spread throughout the city, showcasing the beautiful architecture of Vienna. Located in the city centre, the University of Vienna is at the heart of Austrian culture, politics, and history. The city of Vienna is consistently recognised for its high quality of life.  

Location: 

Vienna, Austria

Courses / Modules: 

To find out about the modules on offer, consult the university's course catalogue.

Credit (Full-time Load per semester): 

You must take a full credit load while on exchange.  University of Vienna uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to show credit values.  30 ECTS is the equivalent to 60 York credits, and 60 ECTS is the equivalent to 120 York credits.  

Teaching Periods: 

The academic year is split into two semesters. The winter semester starts in early October and finishes the end of January with a two week break over Christmas. The summer semester starts in early March to the end of June with a two week break over Easter. 

There is also a "semester break" between the first and second semesters through the month of February.

Take a look over the academic calendar to find more information on the teaching periods.

Language: 

Some modules in English available for History of Art, and study in English is possible for English Language/Linguistics students. There may be opportunities for exchange students to take part in German language courses for students wishing to improve their language skills. These courses are included in the ECTS credits over the year, so you should check with your York department to see whether you are eligible to take such courses for credit.

Accommodation: 

The University of Vienna does not have its own student halls which means all students are responsible for finding their own accommodation in Vienna. It is strongly recommended to search and find accommodation before arriving in Vienna. There are some halls of residences separate to the University of Vienna but who welcome students. 

Consult the list of Vienna halls of residences to find out more. 

For private accommodation, the University recommends HousingAnywhere for students searching for house shares/room mates with other students. For more information on private accommodation, consult the accommodation help page.

Orientation / Welcome week:  

At the beginning of each semester, the International Office organises information meetings ("orientation sessions") in German and English for incoming students. Incoming exchange students need to register for an orientation session in order to complete their registration at the University of Vienna.

The university recommends arriving two weeks before the semester starts. Orientations for the winter semester take place between the beginning of September and the beginning of October, the Orientations for the summer semester between the beginning of February and the beginning of March. 

Support Services: 

At the University of Vienna, the departments have their own mobility coordinators, who are responsible for all subject-specific matters. Students can refer to their mobility coordinator for all questions regarding  Courses, Course registration, Learning Agreements and Exam information.

University of Vienna have a webpage on support services available, including Disability support.

Visas: 

You may need a visa to study in Austria.  If you are a UK National you must refer to the Travel Advice page for Austria and its Living in Austria guide to check on any visa requirements, and raise any queries directly with the relevant embassy/consulate.   If you are not a UK national you should check equivalent advice for your home country.

Please take a look at the University of Vienna's visa help page to find out more.

Travel insurance:  

If you complete the Travel Authorisation process and are approved by the University of York to participate in this programme, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complimentary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries.  You may be required to obtain health insurance valid during your exchange. 

Health insurance: 

Students travelling to Europe may be able to apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or in some circumstances a new UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU. You are strongly recommended to obtain a GHIC / EHIC if eligible. To check your eligibility and find out how to apply if you are eligible, go to the NHS page on Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC).

For more information about life as an exchange student, have a look at the University of Vienna's webpage. 

Olivia, 2017/18

"From attending a ball at a famous palace, to being taught how to make strudel, to wandering round Christmas markets in the snow; this experience has been truly unforgettable and I have made memories that will last a lifetime. I would definitely advise other students to study abroad to improve their language skills, develop international competences and explore new cultural experiences."

Have a look at some more student stories on the Global Opportunities website!

• International Student website at University of Vienna

• Incoming Students website at University of Vienna

• Numbeo - cost of living comparison site

• Expatistan - cost of living comparison site

If you find any broken links, please email us at global-opportunities@york.ac.uk

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