Vienna: Wirtschaftsuniversität-Wien (WU-Wien)
Fall: Early September - Mid December (English) or End January (German)
Spring: Mid February - Late June
Summer: July Session or August Session
Undergraduate Exchange
The Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (WU-Wien) has a student body of 20,000, mostly drawn from the German-speaking world. WU-Wien's heavily-recruited alumni work for national and international companies around the globe. Its English Program, open only to visiting international students, is a popular option for UW students who lack the language skills to take courses in German. To learn more about WU-Wien, watch the video titled 'Semester in Vienna' on reserve in the Audio/Visual Room of the Business Library, room 2200 Grainger Hall.
At the heart of Europe, Austria has a unique geography that makes it an optimal location to observe both East and West Europe and the changes unfolding there. Vienna combines the cultural heritage of the past and the trappings of a city with a modern, vital economy. Vienna was, until the end of WWI, the imperial capital of the enormous Hapsburg Empire that occupied most of Central Europe. A city of arts, Vienna offers the longest opera season in the world, several world-famous museums and traditional and experimental theatres. Vienna is a place where the price of a cup of coffee will buy hours of leisure. The city's many discos, the hills of the Vienna Woods, and the slopes of the nearby Alps offer ample activity for hours outside the classroom.
Language requirements and courses
Although not required, a semester or two of German is recommended. Knowing basics greatly increases students' ability to function in Vienna and interact with Austrians. In addition to a two-week orientation and culture course offered at the beginning of each semester, students enroll in a German language crash course offered at the same time. After the semester begins, students are also encouraged to enroll in a German language course. Five levels are offered.
WU-Wien offers business courses in English and in German. Receive UW residence credits and grades.
Courses are listed below as soon as available. A limited number of additional business courses are offered. Graduate students attend the same courses, but receive the graduate-level course number. Courses are not announced until arrival in Vienna. Courses meeting for less than three weeks will not receive 3 UW Madison credits. Credit for such courses will be determined on a semester by semester basis depending on the schedule of the course. Please avoid these courses.
This list is subject to change. Due to circumstances beyond our control such as enrollment limitations, time conflicts and course cancellations, International Programs cannot guarantee that participants will be admitted to their first choice of courses.
Fall 2007 courses
Acct IS 310; Econ 309, 365; Finance 445*; Gen Bus 365, 399; Intl Bus 365; Marketing 305, 310, 365, 415, 420; MHR 365, 628
(Fall 2008 courses will be announced at the beginning of WU-Wien's semester, in September)
Spring 2008 courses
Acct IS 310, 407; Econ 309; Finance 445*; Gen Bus 365, 399; Intl Bus 365, 615; Marketing 305, 310, 365, 415; MHR 365, 421, 423, 628
(Spring 2008 courses were announced at the beginning of WU-Wien's semester, in February)
* UW's finance department expects that you meet UW pre-requisites in order to comprehend your finance course taken abroad and to prepare for future UW finance courses.
The course equivalency database shows all WU-Wien courses that have been equated and their UW equivalents.
Housing
Housing is provided in a double room in one of several dormitories located within 15 to 30 minutes commute from the university.
Costs and scholarships
Semesters at WU-Wien run approximately four months.
The following are estimates only. Costs are subject to change. Estimates noted with an asterisk (*) were calculated based on an exchange rate of $1 = 0.64 Euro.
All Business School students will receive a standard School of Business Scholarship for Semester Exchange Programs. Details about financial aid and additional scholarships are available.
UW tuition: Full-time
UW program fee: $300
UW-mandated health insurance: $37/full month, no partials i.e. (March 15 - May 30 is 3 months)
Housing*: $2700
Meals *: $2,000
Local transportation*: $290
Books*: $150
Orientation & pre-semester German course*: $215 and $160
Visa fee: (Free for U.S. citizens) $100
Roundtrip airfare: $595 (fall 2007 estiimate)
Entertainment and vacation travel vary widely
Advice from past participants
Read reports from past participants.
Applying
There are generally 3 students admitted per year (for either fall, spring or summer). As there are limited spaces, application to this program does not guarantee admission. Minimum requirements are a 3.0 GPA, 54 credits earned by the time you go abroad and 9 credits of business/economics.
Applications are due March 1st of the previous academic year. If space for spring semester opens, the application process will re-open with a deadline of October 1st. Attend an information session, held in February and September. Information session dates, program availability and applications are available on the application website.
Web pages
Wirtschaftsuniversität (WU-Wien)
Preparing to go
Predeparture Information: Vienna
While abroad website