• It is recommended to take your semester abroad in the third semester. In some exceptional cases, the fourth semester is also possible (Business Law and Business Education).

• We recommend that you apply for a semester abroad in your first semester in order to study at the partner university of your choice in the third semester.

• To apply for a stay abroad, you have to be admitted to a master’s program at WU.

• Most partner universities have additional requirements, which you need to fulfill. This can include professional experience or language certificates. Information on these requirements is provided in the info sheets of the partner universities.

• It is not necessary to fulfill the additional requirements by the partner universities within our application period. It is sufficient if you meet these requirements after the announcement of  nomination.

Students of the master's programs:

• Marketing

• Strategy, Innovation, and Management Control

• Business Communication

An exchange semester should be completed by all or at least a large percentage of all students. The flexible structure of the programs allows for easy credit transfer. The International Office can provide recommendations for a large number of suitable partner universities.

Students of the master's programs:

• Export and Internationalization Management

• Finance and Accounting

• Management

• Socioeconomics

• Supply Chain Management

• Economics

• Business Law

• Business Education

An exchange semester is optional. Due to the courses required in the various degree programs, some partner universities are better suited for an exchange semester than others. Recommendations are available for each master’s program.

Students of the master's programs:

• Digital Economy

• Quantitative Finance

• Socio-Ecological Economics and Policy

• Taxation and Accounting

Due to the specific structure of these programs, students are required to complete the entire program at WU. Credit transfer for courses completed during a semester abroad is only possible to a limited extent.

• The WU master’s programs have issued recommendations for partner universities which are well-suited for an exchange semester. Courses which have been cleared for credit transfer in advance are indicated in the credit transfer online database published by Study Regulations & Credit Transfer. Use our interactive map to find out which universities are recommended for your master’s program.

• We explicitly advise you to apply to partner universities that are recommended by your master's program. If you are interested in a partner university that is not recommended by your master's program, you should check the course offerings carefully and find out via the International Office which courses are accessible for WU exchange students.

• If the partner university of your choice is recommended for your program, you will be given priority during the selection process over students of programs for which the university in question is not explicitly recommended.

• Exchange places reserved for selected master's programs are open only to those students who are also admitted to these programs.

• Most partner universities have additional requirements, you need to fulfill (TOEFL, IELTS, EBC). Information on these requirements is provided in the info sheets, which you can find on our interactive map of partner universities.

• It is not necessary to fulfill the additional requirements by the partner universities within the application period at WU. It is sufficient if you meet these requirements after you have been nominated for an exchange.

• Usually, proof of language proficiency must be submitted to the partner university when registering or applying. Note: If you do not submit the proof of language proficiency by the given deadline, your exchange place may be revoked under circumstances!

• You can download language certificates through the Online Services for Students. Certificates are available for EBC as well as for an English-taught degree program. In the Online Services for Students, click on "Mobility" and search under "Outgoing - My exchange program".

You can apply for an exchange semester during the official application periods. Please note that applications must be submitted a year in advance.

During winter semester, there are three periods available:

• Special programs

• Application period Europe and overseas

• Additional application period Europe and overseas

During summer semester, there is only one period:

• Application period Europe and overseas

During the online application, the following documents must be uploaded:

• One motivational letter for all seven partner university preferences in English language (ca. 3200 characters* including spaces, max. 2 MB, PDF-file; addressed to the program director of your master’s program).
  * The recommendation of approximately 3200 characters does not apply to students in the Business Communication Master's program (please see here).

• CV in English (for WU master’s programs in English) or German language (for WU programs in German). The CV should be a PDF-document, not larger than 2 MB and include information about education, professional experience/internships, international experience, language skills and other skills. A photo is optional.

• WU master’s and WU bachelor’s transcript (Sammelzeugnis, is automatically generated). Students with a (bachelor’s) degree from a different institution have to upload their transcript (Sammelzeugnis) as a PDF-file.

Applicants for an exchange position are assigned using a specially created algorithm that calculates an overall score for each person based on the following criteria::

The allocation process consist of two steps:

1. In the first round, applicants in the first tertile from master’s programs which explicitly or optionally recommend a semester abroad are allocated. In this round, the relevant parameters are the ranking by the program, the tertile-points, and the potential recommendation of a partner university.

2. In the second round, applicants in the second and third tertile are allocated. In this round, all criteria from the table above are taken into account.

 

If applicants are at draw level after the determination of the total scores, the student who will receive the exchange place is picked at random. After the determination of the total scores, the students’ preferences are reviewed one by one. As soon as a “match” occurs, the applicant will be allocated that exchange place.

Example of the determination of the total score

• After a successful application process, your data will be forwarded to the respective partner university (“nomination”). Subsequently, you will also have to register with the partner university. The partner university or the International Office (IO) will provide you with further details and documents required for this process. The process may differ from university to university.

• Application documents including additional required documents such as language certificates and an application form must be submitted to the partner university in time.

• Depending on the partner university, you will receive an email or postal mail just before or during the registration process. The mail contains detailed information regarding visa, housing, orientation programs, and course registration. If you have not been contacted by your partner university six months before the start of your stay abroad, please consult your IO regional coordinator.

The application forms often include the following questions:

• Are you a full-time student? Yes

• Program: Program name of your study program

• Institutional/Exchange coordinator: IO regional coordinator

• Departmental coordinator: Program manager/ director of your study program

• Major: Focus of your studies (e.g. marketing, finance, management, etc.)

• Semester dates: Please note that other countries often use different semester descriptions (e.g. "spring term" for our summer semester or "autumn/fall term" for our winter semester).

• Erasmus code: WU's Erasmus code is: A WIEN05

Frequently requested documents:

• Transcript: Partner universities sometimes request an English version of your WU transcript. You can print your WU transcript at one of the self-service terminals in front of the Study Service Center (Library and Learning Center building (LC), level 2), or access it online using WU’s Online Services for Students.

• Bank confirmation (financial statement): All US partner schools and some other overseas partners require proof of sufficient financial means to fund your exchange semester. The required amount varies depending on the university. Click here to view a template of a financial statement / bank letter.

• Medical report and vaccination pass: Many overseas universities require an English health certificate issued by your physician.

• Language certificate: Some partner universities require a language test such as TOEFL or IELTS, an EBC certificate, or a confirmation about the language of instruction of your program. To find out which universities require such tests and how many points are needed, please see the info sheets on our website or ask your IO regional coordinator.
  OeAD International Testing Services: http://testing.oead.at/
  British Council: https://www.ielts.org/
  
  You can download language certificates through the Online Services for Students. Certificates are available for EBC as well as for an English-taught degree program. In the Online Services for Students, click on "Mobility" and search under "Outgoing - My exchange program".

• Once you have been nominated for an exchange semester, cancellation is only possible in exceptional cases (illness, pregnancy, important family commitments, or unavoidable, unforeseen serious events). Appropriate proof will be required. In such cases, please contact your regional coordinator at the International Office immediately. If a student cancels his or her exchange without valid cause (see above), he or she is excluded from further participation in WU exchange programs in his or her current study cycle.

• Course selection at the partner university: When choosing courses, keep in mind that they have to be recognized for receiving a grant at WU. It is strongly recommended to complete a "full workload" (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits). If there are any requirements from the partner university regarding the courses or credits to be completed, these must be adhered to..

• Financial aid: Every exchange stay at a WU partner university is subsidized by a mobility grant – which mobility grant you are eligible for depends on the country you choose for your exchange semester. In the mandatory grant and credit transfer session, which takes place in the semester before your exchange semester, you will receive all necessary information. For more detailed information before the session, please click here.

• Pre-recognition notice and Learning Agreement: Before you go abroad, you must fill out the online application for the legally binding pre-recognition notice (Feststellungsbescheid). This has to be done to clarify which courses at the partner university are eligible for credit transfer after you return to WU. Detailed information regarding the pre-recognition process and the Learning Agreement for the Erasmus+ grant, which also has to be requested online, can be found here. In the semester before your exchange, you will also be invited to the mandatory grant and credit transfer session, where you will be given all the necessary information.

• Cross-Cultural Competence: We recommend the seminar for cross-cultural competence to WU master’s students prior to their exchange stay. This step is optional.

• ÖH dues: It is important that you pay your Students’ Union (ÖH) dues during your exchange semester. Otherwise, you will be disenrolled from your academic program.

• Tuition fees: Participation in an exchange semester results in a tuition waiver for one semester at both WU and the partner university.

• Housing: Many partner universities offer services to help nominated students to find appropriate accommodation. Information on housing opportunities and services is provided by the partner universities. We also recommend that you read the info sheets and the exchange reports by former WU outgoing students.
  
  The International Office (IO) cooperates with Housing Anywhere, a platform with housing offers by students for students. Housing Anywhere allows you to search for housing opportunities in your host country. At the same time, it helps you to sublet your room or apartment during a stay abroad. The services offered are free of charge for WU students and the IO also recommends Housing Anywhere to incoming students.
  
  Please be cautious when looking for accomodation through inofficial channels!

• If you need special support during your stay abroad, you can contact the partner university directly or WU Services, such as BeAble and Student Counselling. In addition, you can always contact the person responsible for you from the WU Outgoing team.

• On this website, you can find advice on how to make a stay abroad more sustainable. Tips and tricks for traveling as well as on-site behavior are highlighted.

Travelling to non-EU countries

• If you complete your semester abroad in a non-EU country or if you are not an EU citizen, please familiarize yourself with your host country’s entry requirements in due time.

• To travel to overseas countries, Austrian students usually need a student visa. Non-Austrian students may need additional documents.

• As soon as you have received the registration forms and the Letter of Acceptance from the partner university (US universities also require the DS-2019 form), you can apply for a visa at the appropriate consular authority in Vienna. Be sure to contact the consulate in advance to find out what documents will be needed!

• USA/Canada: The US consulate charges a so-called SEVIS fee when issuing a visa. In the plane, you will need to fill out the white immigration form. To travel to Canada for a stay of up to six months, students with Austrian citizenship do not need a student visa. However, upon your arrival, you have to present the Letter of Acceptance to immigration authorities on your own initiative, and you have to state to the authorities that you enter the country as a student and not as a tourist.

• Some countries require special travel and/or health insurance. Please inquire about the applicable insurance requirements with the appropriate consulate.

Travelling to EU countries

• If you are not an EU citizen, please be sure to inform yourself about any visa or entry requirements made by the host country (early enough to make the necessary arrangements).

Overseas/non-EU countries

• Additional travel and/or health insurance is recommended. For insurance policies issued in Austria, it’s a good idea to take an English translation with you of what is covered by your policy. Some universities require students to purchase separate student insurance in the host country.

EU countries

• If you are a citizen of an EU member state, the health insurance provided by your home country is usually sufficient. Don’t forget to take your European insurance card (e-card) with you when you go abroad! If you are not an EU citizen, be sure to arrange for the necessary insurance coverage well in advance.

• Before your departure, please ask your coordinator at the partner university whether your transcript will be issued automatically or whether you’ll have to specifically request it.

• For recipients of an Erasmus+ grant: Please make sure to take the Learning Agreement and the Confirmation of Stay home with you. Both documents have to be signed by the partner university.

• Represent WU at your host university’s exchange fair: Many partner universities organize “exchange fairs”. If a fair takes place while you are studying abroad, we would like you to represent WU. For this purpose, information material will be sent to the International Office of your host university in advance. You can find a PowerPoint presentation with information on WU here.

• WU Alumni Hubs: WU graduates are found all over the world, also in cities with WU partner universities. For nominated Outgoings, the so-called Alumni Hubs offer a unique additional networking opportunity for exchange students. Find out if there is an Alumni Hub close to your partner university and attend Alumni events. The local WU graduates are looking forward to hearing from you.

• Transcripts of Records are usually sent directly to the International Office and your coordinator. You will be informed by email once the document is ready to be picked up at the IO Front Office. That is usually 1-2 months after the end of the semester. Some partner universities send their Transcripts of Records directly to the students via email or postal mail.

• Credit transfer: Please note that credits of courses taken abroad are not automatically transferred to your WU degree. You have to apply for credit transfer via the Study Service Center (Study Regulations & Credit Transfer). You can apply for credit transfer via email and find out on this website which documents have to be sent along (point "examinations taken abroad").

• If you are not able to pick up documents at the International Office in person, you can authorize a person of your trust to do it for you.

• The authorized person has to bring the following documents: completed authorization form, photocopy of the student's ID as well as a photo ID of the authorized person.

• WU students who have completed an exchange semester are required to write a report on their experiences, including an evaluation of the courses taken. Completed reports are reviewed by the International Office and made available online.

• Please fill out the report template and upload it here.

• After your return to Vienna, you have to complete several formalities related to your grant. Please click here for further information on grants.

• Exchange stays organized through the International Office will show up on your Diploma Supplement at the end of your studies. In case you receive more than one degree from WU, your exchange stay will be noted only on the program’s Diploma Supplement which your exchange stay was part of.

• Share your experiences from your stay abroad with other students at the annual Go Global - Your Event to Internationalize Your Studies. Spread the word about your host university!