Terms | Application Deadlines | Eligibility | Course Information | Program Fees | Housing and Meals
The W&M Vienna Exchange program will not be available for Spring 2022.
Please contact peeradvisors@wm.edu for information about alternative W&M programs or programs through study abroad providers.
This competitive exchange is open only to W&M students admitted to the Mason School of Business. Since it is very competitive, especially for the spring semester, it is advised to list an alternative program on your application.
Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (WU), or Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, in Vienna, Austria has over 23,000 undergraduate students from Austria and abroad, and is the largest, and among the highest ranked, business educational institution in Europe. The university strives to accommodate those who do not have prior German language skills, but still wish to study business in an international setting. The WU campus has an array of facilities, including several libraries, restaurants, cafes, a supermarket, bookstores, and an athletic center.
WU is located in the heart of Vienna, a city that celebrates both its historical significance and its modernity. The Historic Center, Schönbrunn Palace, the State Opera House, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Imperial Palace, and Vienna Zoo are all popular attractions. Students can easily navigate the city by bus, tram or underground (subway) system, and travel throughout Europe via the European Rail Network (EuroRail). The Wien Westbahnhof (Vienna West Rail Station) is easily accessible with trains connecting to Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, and more. The City Airport Train (CAT) connects the city to Vienna International Airport.
A Note on Exchange Programs:
Exchange programs require a balance of sending and receiving students, therefore exchange programs may not consistently be available in the semester you are seeking to study abroad. Please inquire with the GEO Advisor for the most up-to-date information on your program choice, and have some alternative programs in mind should the exchange program not be available or be competitive.
Terms:
Academic Year (early October — end of June; orientation in mid-September)
Fall Semester (early October — late December; orientation in mid-September)
Spring Semester (late February — end of June; orientation in mid-February)
At WU, fall semester is called "winter" and spring semester is called "summer."
Application Deadlines:
Academic Year: March 15
Fall Semester: March 15
Spring Semester: October 1
After nomination by W&M, students must complete an online pre-enrollment for WU by November 15 (spring) and May 15 (fall).
Eligibility:
W&M student in good standing; minimum 3.0 GPA; admitted to the W&M Mason School of Business.
Course Information:
There is no language requirement for this program; however, students have the option to participate in a two-week intensive Pre-Semester German Language Course (at all levels of German) and/or an Orientation & Cultural Program (in addition to the mandatory Welcome Session). Both are highly recommended. There is an additional cost for both programs, and they are not credit-bearing. Both fill up quickly, so interested students should apply for these programs by November 15 (spring) and May 15 (fall). The cultural orientation program includes sightseeing, field trips, and presentations that help students adapt to Austrian life.
During the semester, WU's Business Language Center offers business German courses at all levels. These optional courses are not part of the regular courseload, and are an additional cost.
Courses are offered in English and German. Approximately 250 courses are taught in English each semester. Information on available courses can be found on the Course Catalog. WU recommends that students register for courses as soon as they are accepted. Course registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and there is no add/drop period.
Most courses are 6 ECTS. Students are expected to take a full courseload at WU, which corresponds to 24 to 30 ECTS credits (4-5 courses). The maximum course load is 36 ECTS credits excluding language courses.
4 ECTS = 2 W&M credits
5 ECTS = 3 W&M credits
8 ECTS = 4 W&M credits
The fall term at WU runs until the end of January, so students studying abroad during the fall semester should choose courses that end before the holiday break. Exam dates depend on the courses chosen. There is no specific examination period for all courses.
Courses must be pre- or post-approved. Grades will not appear on transcripts or be included in GPA calculations.
The following grading scale applies at WU:
1 excellent (Sehr gut)
2 good (Gut)
3 satisfactory (Befriedigend)
4 sufficient (Genügend)
5 fail (Nicht genügend)
WU does not use a standardized percentage-based grading scale. The percentage scores needed to receive the grades given above differ from course to course. In most cases, the course-specific grading scales can be found in the course descriptions online.
Program Fees:
The tuition exchange agreement between William & Mary and WU Wien allows W&M students to pay their regular tuition and fees to W&M while taking classes at WU. Students will pay for housing, meals, and other fees on-site in Vienna.
Students are also billed a $475 study abroad fee. International medical/evacuation insurance is required for all students who study abroad and a fee of $170 is applied to the W&M student account prior to the start of the program. Students are responsible for airfare and visa costs.
Other fees include WU student union dues, which are approximately €20 per semester, and mandatory WU insurance, which is approximately €60 per semester. If students wish to enroll in the optional cultural orientation and intensive German language course, there will be additional fees prior to arrival.
Students participating in semester long study abroad programs must have a visa and/or required entry documents. Please familiarize yourself with the requirements prior to applying and begin the application process immediately after you are nominated for the program. As a reminder, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the program.
Housing and Meals:
WU does not operate its own accommodations. Rather, students live in residence halls run by OeAD, the main housing provider for students in Austria. WU has made a pre-reservation in certain OeAD residence halls to make sure that housing is guaranteed for its incoming exchange students, provided students apply by the accommodation deadline. W&M students should apply and pay a deposit for the OeAD student residence hall by November 15 (spring) and May 15 (fall). Housing is paid on-site in Vienna.
Alternatively, students may seek private accommodations through the recommended list provided by WU. More information on housing can be found on the Accommodation website for exchange students. There are no meal plans. Students either cook or provide meals for themselves.
Housing leases for the fall semester are four months long, September to December. When students register for the optional German language and Orientation and Culture Program, they will be able to move right into their accommodation and not pay extra for housing during that two week period.
For more information on how to apply, please review the Apply/Register section of our website.
