In good standing

WU has a reputation for high quality. This is confirmed not only by our international accreditations from EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA and our excellent performance in international rankings, but also by the fact that our programs are in very high demand with potential students. In 2019, WU was the only Austrian university with more applicants than available places for programs in business, economics, and law.

Online self-assessment test

Since 2019, the first step for anyone interested in studying at WU is an online self-assessment test. The test gives potential students a realistic idea of what to expect at WU. Answers are not graded and have no effect on the selection process, but applicants do receive detailed feedback on their results. The test is intended to give applicants an opportunity to make sure their chosen program is right for them.

Entrance exam for 6,000 potential students

In 2019, entrance exams were held for all 3 of WU’s bachelor’s programs for the first time. Thanks to careful planning and an extreme level of commitment on the part of the organizational team, the exams, held in a 17,000 m² expo hall, went smoothly. 1,940 tables were set up, and approximately 6,000 tests were printed. On exam days, 9 WU staff members, 14 security personnel, and 57 tutors were on location to make sure everything went without a hitch, and each of them walked over 20 km over the course of each exam day.

Internationally successful

WU launched its first English-taught bachelor’s program in the fall of 2018: Business and Economics (BBE). Demand for the 120 available places was high, especially among international students – 45% of the program’s students are from countries other than Austria. BBE students have also proven themselves to be particularly motivated: 98% of the program’s first cohort are taking their exams on schedule and have earned at least 16 ECTS credits.

Based on the high demand, we doubled the number of BBE places to 240 in the 2019/20 academic year. This second cohort is not only larger, but also even more international, with more than 30 nationalities represented among the students. 40% are from Austria, 40% are EU/EEA citizens, and 20% are third-country nationals.

In order to make it easier for our new students to get to know Vienna and WU, we invited them to attend the BBE Welcome Days held right before the start of the semester. The Welcome Days gave first-year students the opportunity to network with each other, with more experienced students, and with members of the faculty. Students got a feel for their new university during a guided tour of Campus WU, and a scavenger hunt through Vienna helped them learn more about their new city.

More equal opportunities

Talented high school graduates from financially disadvantaged families often can’t afford to go to university or need to hold a job in addition to working on their degree. The WU4You scholarship program gives these students the financial security they need to be able to concentrate on their studies.

WU4You: A success story

Rector Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger initiated the project in 2016. With financial support from the Rector’s Council and selected sponsors, the scholarship provides recipients with €500 per month for 7 semesters. Students also participate in a mentoring program, where they can find help and support from students in higher semesters and individual coaching by a member of the faculty to prevent drop-outs.

In the pilot phase, we worked together with 4 high schools in Vienna, and since then 30 schools from all over Austria have joined the initiative. In 2019, we awarded 15 new scholarships, and a total of 25 young people are currently enrolled at our university with the support of the WU4You program. The first scholarship recipient will be graduating in 2019, after completing her degree in the minimum prescribed duration.