University of Vienna

The University of Vienna (Universität Wien) was founded in 1365, making it the oldest university in the German-speaking world. It is also the largest and most highly ranked university in Austria and has about 91,000 students enrolled in more than 180 degree programs.

Academic Highlights

The University is renowned for its excellence in the humanities but it also rates well for Catholic and Protestant theology, law, economics, computer science and sports science. There have been 15 alumni who have gone on to become Nobel Laureates in physics, chemistry, physiology, economics and literature.

Location

Though it is located in central Vienna, the University of Vienna doesn’t have a campus as such. It is located in more than 60 buildings spread across the beautiful and artistic “city of dreams”.

Did you know?

The University of Vienna maintains an 18th century botanical garden that’s known as the ‘green lung of the university’. It has 12,000 plant types from six continents and is a place for scientific research, species protection, an urban habitat for indigenous animals and as a green oasis in the heart of the city.

Handbook/Catalogue

Most units at Vienna are taught in German. Some information about the units (referred to as courses) available at the University of Vienna is available from this webpage under the name of the department and within each of the relevant degrees.

The following departments usually offer some units in English: Business, Law, English and American Studies, History, Political Science, Anthropology, Philosophy. Courses which are taught in a language other than German are marked with a blue button indicating the language of instruction (including English).

Full-time Credit Load Equivalents

ECTS - European Credit Transfer System

*If your study load cannot exactly equate to 22.5 ECTS, then you will need to complete a study load as close to 22.5 ECTS without going under in order to receive 18 Monash credit points.

Academic Calendar

Vienna Winter semester (Monash Semester 2): Early October to late January
Vienna Summer semester (Monash Semester 1): Early March to late June

The University of Vienna's Semester dates

Note

• The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
• Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.

Important notes

The University of Vienna expects all incoming exchange students to have CEFR B2 or equivalent in the language of instruction. Please note that in many study fields most of the courses are taught in German.

For students studying German Studies at the University of Vienna the new required level of German is C1. More information on the University of Vienna's language requirements can be found here.

For units taught at the Centre of Translation Studies, you will need to have your German language skills confirmed by your German language coordinator that you are up to a level of B2 (Bachelor) or C1 (Master).

To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.

Apply here

Have you been to University of Vienna and want to share your experience? 
If you'd be willing to write a testimonial, email us at monashabroad.enquiries@monash.edu.

Yee Joo Phang
Computer Science
Semester 1, 2026

Study Experience

One of the academic highlights of studying at my host institution was experiencing a more independent style of learning. Lecturers usually provided useful resources and guidance, but students were expected to manage their own learning and ask for help when needed. This was quite different from the learning environment I was used to, where students are often given more detailed guidance. Although it was challenging at first, it helped me improve my independent learning skills and become more responsible for my own progress.

The overall studying environment also felt less intense and stressful compared to Monash, which allowed me to learn at a more comfortable pace. The smaller class sizes made it easier for everyone to share their opinions and participate in discussions. Students were also more active in class, as they regularly answered questions, raised doubts, and discussed ideas directly with the lecturer. I also had to adapt to different teaching and assessment methods, including an oral final examination. Overall, this experience strengthened my adaptability, confidence, communication skills, and ability to adjust to a new academic environment.

Culture

One of the highlights of living in Vienna was experiencing a city with a strong artistic, cultural, and historical atmosphere. Its beautiful architecture, palaces, museums, churches, classical music, and opera made the city feel very unique. Vienna was also clean and peaceful, and its long history could be seen throughout the city.

Another highlight was Vienna’s central location in Europe. Travelling to nearby countries was convenient and often more affordable, allowing me to visit more than 20 cities across over 10 countries during my exchange. This gave me the opportunity to experience different cultures, food, languages, architecture, and lifestyles.

Living in a German-speaking country was also a new cultural experience. I sometimes needed to use my phone for translation, and I had to get used to local practices, such as most shops being closed on Sundays and public holidays. Experiencing winter and spring was another memorable highlight, as Malaysia does not have four seasons. Seeing the city and nature change across the seasons made my time in Austria especially unforgettable.

Benefits of going on exchange

My exchange experience helped me grow both personally and professionally. One of the most meaningful parts was meeting people and making friends from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. Through these interactions, I became more open-minded and learned to understand situations from different perspectives.

Living in a foreign city that I had never been to also made me more independent and adaptable. I had to manage my accommodation, groceries, transport, budgeting, studies, and other daily responsibilities by myself. At the same time, I learned how to balance academic work, travelling, and personal commitments, which improved my time-management skills.

I also travelled alone to several places during my exchange. Solo travelling pushed me outside my comfort zone and taught me to handle unfamiliar situations, make decisions independently, and solve problems on my own. These experiences increased my confidence and made me feel more capable of doing things by myself. Overall, the exchange prepared me to adapt more easily to new environments and work with people from different backgrounds in the future.

Top tips

• Apply for accommodation as early as possible and apply to several student housing providers. Student accommodation is highly competitive, and the application process can take time.
• Be aware that many grocery stores close around 8 p.m., and most shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays. It is helpful to plan grocery shopping in advance.
• Plan trips early, as transport and accommodation are usually cheaper when booked in advance. However, keep some flexibility in case your class schedule or plans change.
• Make full use of your student status. Students may be eligible for cheaper public transport tickets, discounted opera tickets, and reduced admission fees for museums and other attractions.