20 Years of Bologna at WU

Twenty years ago, WU became the first university in Austria to transition its degree structure to the Bologna system. The first bachelor’s programs started in the 2006/07 winter semester, followed a year later by the first master’s programs. This marked the gradual replacement of the traditional Diplom degree structure with a tiered degree system comprising bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral/PhD programs. Today, WU offers three bachelor’s programs, 16 master’s programs, and five doctoral and PhD programs. Since the transition, nearly 47,700 degrees have been awarded. 

The new degree structure also introduced a common European framework for academic achievement. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) made academic achievements more comparable and facilitated student mobility between universities in Austria and abroad. “The Bologna structure benefits both students and Austria’s higher education sector: bachelor’s and master’s degrees make academic pathways internationally compatible and give students the opportunity to continue their studies at different universities. This also strengthens the international competitiveness of Austria’s higher education sector,” says WU Rector Rupert Sausgruber. 

New specializations, new programs, strong demand 

What began 20 years ago with the bachelor’s programs in Business, Economics and Social Sciences and Business Law has evolved into a diverse and internationally oriented academic portfolio. Strong demand across all three bachelor’s programs reflects this development. It is also evident at the master’s level: WU now offers 16 master’s programs, nine of which are taught entirely in English, which means that English-taught programs account for more than half of WU’s master’s portfolio. The content and specialization options within the bachelor’s programs have also evolved. In the Bachelor’s Program in Business, Economics and Social Sciences, students can currently choose from five majors. In 2023, the Economy, Environment, Politics major was introduced, focusing on the intersection of economics, society, policy, and environmental issues. A sixth major in Business Analytics and Decision Sciences will be launched soon. Under the JUS+ brand, the Business Law program combines a law degree with business expertise. It is the most sought-after law program in Austria. In 2026, 2,260 applicants took the entrance exam for 870 spots. In 2018, WU expanded its portfolio with the launch of the fully English-taught Bachelor’s Program in Business and Economics. Growing demand has also led to changes in admission requirements. While selection procedures have been in place for the English-taught master’s programs from the outset, all three bachelor’s programs as well as the German-taught Master’s Program in Management now require a selection process. 

Building on the Bologna framework 

Twenty years after the transition, Bologna has become far more than just a new degree structure for WU. Compared with 2006, WU’s academic portfolio is now more diverse, more international, and more specialized. “The transition to the Bologna structure was an important step in further developing WU’s degree programs to ensure their international compatibility. The key challenge now is to continue using this framework to adapt our academic offerings to new academic and societal developments and to provide students with excellent opportunities for their future academic and professional paths,” says Sausgruber.