English-taught Bachelor’s Program
The ever-increasing level of economic globalization is the motor driving WU’s internationalization strategy, resulting in the development of our first English-taught bachelor’s program: Business and Economics (BBE).
BBE is a program that provides students with in-depth knowledge of business and economics-related theories and topics and gives them the tools and skills they need to understand the complex interrelationships of the global economy. Building on this, students then acquire more advanced knowledge in their specific areas of interest. The program offers numerous opportunities for specialization, such as finance, international accounting, international business, or entrepreneurship.
In addition to theoretical knowledge, BBE students acquire important interdisciplinary methodological and social skills: They learn to work in intercultural teams, improve their communication skills, and sharpen their analytical thinking skills. The program can be rounded off with a semester or internship abroad.
In High Demand with Potential Students
The new program has been very well received, and 1,500 candidates from around the world applied for the 120 available places in the BBE program. 140 students were eventually accepted for enrollment. Due to the success and high demand, 240 places will be made available next year.
BBE facts & figures in the 2018/19 academic year
- 23 nationalities
- 55% Austrians
- 35% students from the EU/EEA region
- 10% third-country nationals
Successful Master’s Programs
WU was one of the first universities in Austria to transfer completely to the three-phase Bologna system. The first two bachelor’s programs were already launched in 2006, followed by the first master’s programs a year later. English-taught programs came soon after. Today, WU offers 15 master’s programs.
WU’s master’s programs have been an unmitigated success. From the start, WU focused on specialization and clearly defined profiles to ensure international visibility. WU then developed its first English-taught master’s programs based on the basic premise of the Bologna system, i.e. to increase international mobility at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Since then, the number of both graduates and new students has continued to rise steadily. Today, over 1,000 graduates leave WU with a Master of Science or Master of Laws degree each year.
MSc in Economics
English-taught master’s programs are in ever higher demand as WU becomes increasingly international. In 2018, the German master’s in economics (“Volkswirtschaft”) was replaced by the English-taught Master’s Program in Economics, tipping the balance between English- and German-taught programs in favor of English (eight to seven).
The new economics program has been very well received, with 430 applications for enrollment in the first year alone. The level of diversity among the program’s student was also very high.
MSc in Economics facts & figures in the 2018/19 academic year
- 70 students
- 17 nationalities
- 50% international students
Selecting the Right Program
Twice a year, we hold the WU Master Day to introduce potential students to the wide variety of master’s programs available at WU and help them choose the program that’s right for them. Academic directors present their programs and are on hand to take individual questions. Representatives of the ÖH Austrian Students’ Union, the International Office, and the ZBP Career Center inform visitors about studying at WU, international exchange programs, and career opportunities after graduation. The fall edition of the WU Master Day also features representatives of renowned partner schools (2018: HEC Paris, Università Bocconi, University of St. Gallen, Stockholm School of Economics), who are happy to provide information about academic programs at their home universities.
As in previous years, both events were very well attended: 1,564 visitors came to the spring event, and the fall event was attended by 2,057 potential students.
