ShareBMGT Exchange: Vienna University of Economics & Business (Austria)
All students accepted to an Exchange program are automatically considered for an award of $1,000! See Cost tab for more information.
Host Institution
With about 20,000 students from Austria and abroad, Vienna University of Economics and Business (known in German as Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, or WU) is the EU’s largest educational institution for business and economics, business law, and social sciences. The Financial Times has ranked WU among Europe's Top 50 Business Schools. Their wide ranges of courses as well as the international orientation of its teaching and research have made WU a renowned center of knowledge in many key fields of business and economics.
Host City
Vienna is the capital of Austria and is regaled as the City of Music and Dreams. Musicians such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Mahler have all performed in Vienna’s concert halls and the city is littered with monuments to the great composers. Sigmund Freud also lived in Vienna and his work gives the city its title as the “City of Dreams”. The Hofburg Museum houses all the jewels from the famed Hapsburg Empire. Vienna is also the seat of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Laws. Located in central Europe, Austria is a great starting point for exploring other countries and cities.
Exchange programs are highly competitive and space in each program is limited. You must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to apply to this program:
- 3.0 GPA
- Completion of 2 semesters at UMD
- You must be a BMGT major
Exchange programs are a good fit for students looking for immersion, personal growth, and the opportunity to strengthen qualities such as independence and adaptability.
Student Visa Information
http://www.wu.ac.at/io/en/incoming/exchangeinbscmsc/exchangeguide_incoming/eg_entry_regulations_third_six_months
- Click "Apply Now" at the top of this page. You will log in with your UMD directory ID and password.
- Submit all application materials by the deadline listed below. This includes meeting with your EA advisor (listed at the top of this page), and may include requesting a faculty letter of recommendation, and submitting an official transcript. If a letter of recommendation and/or official transcript are required, it will be listed in MyEA once you start an application for this program.
- After the application deadline, we will review all completed applications and nominate students for available spots in each exchange program.
- If you are nominated to participate in this exchange, you will work with your EA advisor (listed above) to apply directly to the host university, who will formally admit you to the exchange program. Nominated students must complete the host university application in accordance with the host university’s stated deadlines and instructions.
- Nominated students will then work with their EA advisor (listed above) and our partner universities to coordinate all aspects of the stay at the host university such as course registration, visas and arrival.
Academic Planning
Visit the Academics & Study Abroad page which outlines key considerations for your academic planning as you navigate different phases of study abroad:
- Pre-Departure Course Selection & Approval
- Finalizing Course Enrollment Abroad
- Transcripts and Credits on your UMD Record
Coursework
Students can take classes in English and also have the option of taking Business German courses and taking classes in German. Courses approved for transfer include those in: Finance, Information Systems, International Business, Management, Marketing, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Economics, and electives.
Language of instruction both English and German. Over 100 courses are offered in English, the school also offers intensive German language courses to assist with living in Austria.
There may be other course offerings on this program that are not currently listed in the Study Abroad Course Database (SACD). If you are interested in taking a course not listed in the SACD, please submit a transfer credit evaluation request.
Credit
All credit you earn on this program will count as transfer credit towards your UMD degree. Most courses at WU will be converted as follows:
| WU Credit | UMD Credit |
|---|---|
| 2 WU credits | 1 UMD credit |
| 6 WU credits | 3 UMD credits |
The chart above was last approved by the UMD Transfer Credit Committee on March 27, 2014.
Grading
Undergraduates must receive a C- equivalent or better in order to be eligible for the transfer of credit.
| WU Grade | UMD Grade |
| 4 | C - |
FOR UMD: You can view how courses at this institution have previously been evaluated for UMD equivalents through the UMD Registrar’s transfer credit equivalency database page for this university.
FOR BMGT: You can view how courses at this institution have previously been evaluated for UMD equivalents by viewing the BMGT course list for this university.
UMD students participating in an Exchange program have the benefit of paying UMD tuition rates to attend an institution abroad. For specific information about this Exchange program, please reference the Cost of Attendance Chart.
Tuition and fees for exchange programs are charged directly to your UMD account, which means you can apply UMD scholarships, state and federal financial aid, and alternative loans towards the cost of an exchange. Students participating in a BMGT or ENGR exchange program are not charged differential tuition. Housing costs are paid directly to the host institution or on-site housing agency.
You can use the cost of attendance comparison worksheet to view how study abroad programs compare to each other and the amount you pay on campus at UMD. As always, your EA advisor (listed above) is available to help you complete this worksheet and find affordable programs that fit your study abroad goals.
Exchange Scholarship
All students accepted to an Exchange program are considered for an automatic award of $1,000! To be considered for this scholarship, you must:
- Be a current degree seeking undergraduate UMD student (graduate students are not eligible for this award)
- Not currently receive full tuition scholarship/benefits (i.e. Banneker Key, tuition remission, Frederick Douglass Scholarship, etc.)
Additional Financial Resources
Maximize your time abroad by taking advantage of resources at your host institution!
Student Clubs and Organizations
WU offers exchange students the opportunity to join the OH Student Union which offers activities and events for students. Students can also join the Language Tandem Program to improve their German language skills or many other language options.
International Welcome/Orientation
The International Office at WU organizes mandatory and optional welcome programs to help ensure you get the most out of your exchange experience. In addition to these programs, you can sign up for the Buddy Program which will match you with a WU student who is your first contact person in Vienna.
Counseling & Health Services
WU does not offer any on-campus health or counseling services however, there are a variety of resources located close to campus.
Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities*
Resource Guide for LGBTQ+ Identities*
*These resource guides provide general information about services at UMD’s partner institution. For more information, consult your EA advisor.
| Term | Year | Application Deadline | Admission Notification | Program Start | Program End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year (Fall-Spring) | 2023 | 03/01/2023 | 03/13/2023 | ||
| Fall | 2023 | 03/01/2023 | 03/13/2023 | 09/13/2023 | 02/02/2024 |
| Spring | 2024 | 10/01/2023 | 10/11/2023 |