WU Welcome Days: A New Start for 3,700 Students

From September 1 to 3, WU welcomed approximately 3,700 new students to the 2026 Welcome Days. The event helps first-semester students settle in at the university, find their way around campus, and make their first connections.

Over the course of three days, the new students received important information about their studies, learned about key university services, and had the opportunity to network with other students. They were accompanied by Welcome Tutors, who provided guidance in small groups and answered questions about daily student life.

In addition to organizational information, the event also highlighted the many opportunities to actively shape life at WU. At the Student Club Fair, the new students were able to explore the wide range of student initiatives and learn about opportunities to get involved.

First-semester students were personally welcomed by Rector Rupert Sausgruber and Vice Rector for Teaching and Students Margarethe Rammerstorfer. Tech entrepreneur Christopher Schläffer, WU Manager of the Year 2022, also provided an inspiring start to the event. In his presentation, he spoke about innovation, change, and the opportunities that arise from them.

“Especially at a university of our size, it is important to us to provide students with guidance and a sense of security right from the start. At the same time, we want to highlight the wide range of opportunities that WU offers and invite students to get actively involved, make connections, and become part of our strong community,” emphasizes Rector Rupert Sausgruber.

Support from the Very Beginning

Starting college brings many new challenges. WU supports its students with a wide range of services, ranging from individual counseling and workshops to funding programs.

“We offer targeted support, from individual counseling and workshops to scholarship programs such as WU4You for particularly gifted high school students from financially disadvantaged families. We encourage all students to take advantage of these opportunities right from the start,” says Vice Rector Margarethe Rammerstorfer.

The Welcome Days are a key component in easing the transition to college and providing students with orientation, networking opportunities, and support from the very beginning.

After the Welcome Days: Semester Kick-Off

The Welcome Days aren’t the end of the start of the academic year. In mid-September, the individual degree programs hold their semester kick-offs.

WU law students kick things off on September 16. In addition to an introduction to public law and civil law, students can look forward to a keynote address by Peter Bosek, CEO of Erste Group.

The following week, first-year students in the fields of economics and social sciences will gather at the Austria Center Vienna. As part of the course “Business Administration and the Digital Economy”—a core course in the introductory and orientation phase—they will receive a joint introduction to fundamental economic issues.

With the Welcome Days and the subsequent semester kick-offs, WU lays the foundation for a successful start to their studies and fosters a sense of community within the WU community right from the start.