International orientation and maintaining a strong international network have been guiding principles in WU’s development since its founding in 1898. In 1990, WU was one of the first universities in Austria to set up a commission for international contacts and partnerships and an International Office for student mobility. Further steps included expanding its network of partner universities, up to a total of 220 today, international accreditations, participation in international rankings, developing and expanding a portfolio of English-taught courses and master’s programs, and most recently, the establishment of the English-taught Bachelor’s Program in Business and Economics. This new program is scheduled to start in the fall of 2018 and will be offered in addition to WU’s two German-language bachelor’s programs, Business, Economics and Social Sciences and Business Law. “WU is an innovative, open-minded university with international flair and a welcoming atmosphere for our students, who hail from over 110 different countries. The establishment of an English-language bachelor’s program seemed to us to be the next logical step in our internationalization strategy,” says WU Rector Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger.

Business and economics in a global context

The English-taught Bachelor’s Program in Business and Economics is aimed especially at international students. The six-semester program provides students with a broad, interdisciplinary education in business and economics in a global context. Students gain scientifically well-founded knowledge and skills which prepare them to face the challenges of today’s economy and business world. After the introductory phase, focusing on current topics and solutions to problems faced by the global economy (e.g. in courses like “Contemporary Challenges in Business and Economics”), further courses impart more advanced expertise in the field as well as important interdisciplinary skills like data analysis and analytical thinking. The early stages of the English-taught program focus strongly on understanding and recognizing the complexity of interconnected issues in a broader business and economic context. The second part of the Business and Economics program offers students a number of opportunities to specialize and customize their education to meet their individual interests. Students can also opt to complete a semester abroad or an international internship for credit. Graduates are very well prepared to work for multinational companies or continue their academic career with a master’s program at WU or any other internationally renowned university.

International students welcome

With this program aimed at international students, WU is strengthening its international position and increasing its visibility beyond Austria’s borders. “Ultimately, with this program, WU is also supporting Vienna’s reputation as a business location and the reputation of Austria’s university landscape as a whole,” explains Rector Hanappi-Egger, and continues, “In this context, it would be helpful if we could remove some of the competitive disadvantages that Austrian universities are faced with.” Currently, it is a difficult and time-consuming process for students from non-EU countries to organize the necessary visas and residence permits required to study in Austria. “This of course means that many outstanding students choose to get their degree in a country that is more service oriented towards students. Austria has room for improvement in this area. If we want to keep up with the world’s top universities, we will have to work on reducing the number of bureaucratic hurdles placed in students’ way. It’s up to the government to make these changes.”

Selective admissions procedure for 120 places

As the English-taught Bachelor’s Program in Business and Economics is an economic sciences program, a selective admissions procedure applies under Austrian law. A total of 120 places will be available for the program’s first cohort, starting in the fall of 2018. Potential students can apply online from March 1 until May 15, 2018. All applicants who upload a letter of motivation and proof of sufficient English skills are eligible to take the entrance exam, scheduled for July 10. An entrance exam is held only if the number of applicants exceeds the number of available places.  

Further information on the <link en programs bachelors-programs business-and-economics overview>Bachelor’s Program in Business and Economics