Student
Exchange at WU
Vienna, Austria

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Contents
ABOUT WU International Recognition 
Key Facts 
WU’s Program Portfolio Partner Universities 
WU’s Global Network 
EXCHANGE@WU 

Learning German 
Courses in English 
Courses in German 

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Housing 
Orientation Programs Erasmus Buddy Network Green Mobility 

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DATES AND DEADLINES 

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INTERNATIONAL SUMMER UNIVERSIT Y WU 

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CAMPUS WU 
LIFE IN VIENNA 

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Contact 
Links 28
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EXCHANGE SERVICES About WU
WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) is one of Europe’s leading
institutions of higher education in the fields of economics, business, business
law, and social sciences. Exchange students who decide to come to WU canbe sure of getting an education at an internationally renowned university.

WU’s academic strengths are based on
its broad research and teaching portfolio,
covering all topics fundamental to today’s
economy and society. The university’s
high standards in research and teaching have consistently been confirmed byprestigious international accreditations.
WU has made its international orientation
a number one priority. About 22,000 students are currently enrolled at WU, overa quarter of which come from outsideof Austria. WU welcomes about 1,000
exchange students from its partner universities every year. Reputable partner
institutions around the world facilitate
research cooperation as well as student
and faculty mobility.

The university’s active membership in
renowned international networks like
CEMS (The Global Alliance in Management Education), PIM (Partnership inInternational Management), and GBSN(Global Business School Network), gives
faculty and students excellent opportunities to interact with international academic and business partners.
Additionally, the inspiring architectureof WU’s modern campus provides faculty and students with a state-of-the-art
infrastructure creating the best possible
environment for teaching, studying, anddeveloping new ideas in one of the mostlivable cities in the world.

Diversity, open-mindedness,
responsibility, and innovation
are key values at WU.

5International Recognition
WU’s triple accreditation is both an incentive and an obligation. It ensures
the high quality of WU’s programs and their continuous development toachieve and maintain excellent academic standards.

International accreditations are an important element in WU’s strategy. They
strengthen WU in its efforts to position itself among the top institutions in
Europe, promote WU’s reputation, andensure that WU’s programs are continuously further developed based on thehighest academic standards.

In the accreditation processes, WU’s
high-quality teaching, its internationalization strategy, and its excellent connections to the business community are regularly cited as the university’s main assets.
Fewer than 1% of universities worldwide
can claim triple accreditation by EQUIS,AACSB, and AMBA.

With accreditations from AACSB (The
Association to Advance Collegiate
Schools of Business), EQUIS (European
Quality Improvement System), and AMBA
(The Association of MBAs), WU belongs
to an elite circle of some of the world‘sleading business schools.

In addition to accreditations, influential
international rankings have consistently
placed WU among the best universities
in its field.

R ANKINGS

Masters in Management Ranking 2022 (Financial Times)› 2
 8th out of 100 programs for Master’s in International Management(6th place in the German-speaking area)
QS Program Rankings 2023
› M asters in Finance: placed 16th› M asters in Management: placed 10th› M asters in Marketing: placed 10th› M asters in Supply Chain Management: placed 2nd

Key Facts
WU’s profile is characterized by the university’s broad research and teaching
portfolio, its international networks and close ties to the corporate world,
thus resulting in excellent job prospects for its graduates.

The 11 Academic Departments form thefoundation of the WU organizational
structure, and are complemented by 60
Institutes, 14 Research Institutes and 7
Competence Centers. Over 1,000 faculty
members contribute to WU’s researchand teaching activities.
The departments are organized according to academic disciplines. All of them
are involved in WU’s three bachelor programs. Most departments also have graduate and doctoral programs (MSc/LL.M.,
doctoral/PhD).

The research institutes focus on interdisciplinary topics, which often cross department boundaries. Competence centerscoordinate research and teaching areas
at WU. They serve as contact points forinternal and external stakeholders.
WU’s research and teaching activities
cover core business areas like finance,
marketing, strategy, international business, and innovation as well as fields likesustainability, socio-ecological economics,
information systems, and business law.

WU STUDENTS

Total number of students*)

21,456

International students*)

7,043

Incoming and outgoing students in
WU’s mobility programs (incl. exchange)~ 2,000 per year*)

as of fall 2022

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WU’S ACADEMIC UNITSDEPARTMENTS

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Economics
Finance, Accounting & Statistics
Business Communication
Global Business and Trade
Information Systems and Operations Management
Management
MarketingPrivate Law
Public Law and Tax Law
Socioeconomics
Strategy and Innovation

RESEARCH
INSTITUTES

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CEE Legal Studies
Computational Methods
Co-Operation and Co-Operatives
Cryptoeconomics
Economics of Aging
Economics of Inequality
European Affairs
Family Businesses
International Taxation
Regulatory Economics
Research on Capital Markets
Spatial and Real Estate Economics
Supply Chain Management
Urban Management and Governance

COMPETENCECENTERS

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Business Languages
Emerging Markets & CEE
Empirical Research Methods
Experimental Research
Sustainability, Transformation and Responsibility
Nonprofit Organizations and Social Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship

Program Portfolio
WU’s portfolio of programs in the fields of business, economics, law, andsocial sciences includes 3 bachelor programs, 16 master programs, and 5
doctoral/PhD programs. WU’s range of English-taught programs is attracting an increasing number of students from Austria and abroad.

WU’s bachelor programs are three years
in duration and provide a well-founded
general education, offering a choice ofmajors and a broad range of specializations.
The two-year master programs are more
specialized, with specific qualification
profiles. Nine master programs are
exclusively taught in English, whereas
the other seven master programs incorporate several modules taught in English.
WU has successfully integrated many
international aspects in research andteaching.

“I want to thank WU for theopportunities to learn so many
new and interesting things
in such a different way thatreally did change the way I
see my future career field.
I loved to see the beautiful
campus every day, it was atrue aesthetic pleasure!”

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WU‘S DEGREE PROGR AMSBACHELOR PROGR AMS (BSC WU/LL .B.WU)

English-taught bachelor’s programs› Business and Economics

German-taught bachelor’s programs› Business, Economics and Social
Sciences› Business Law

MASTER PROGR AMS (MSC WU/LL .M. WU)English-taught master’s programs› Business Communication› Digital Economy› Economics› International Management/CEMS› Marketing› Quantitative Finance› Socio-Ecological Economics
and Policy› Strategy, Innovation, andManagement Control› Supply Chain Management

German-taught master’s programs› Business Education› Business Law› E xport and Internationalization
Management› Finance and Accounting› Management› Socioeconomics› Taxation and Accounting

DOCTOR AL/PHD PROGR AMSEnglish-taught PhD programs› PhD in International BusinessTaxation› PhD in Finance

German-taught doctoral/PhD
programs› Doctoral Program in Business Law› Doctoral Program in Social andEconomic Sciences› PhD in Economics and Social Sciences

Partner Universities
Top-class programs, attractive locations, and excellent academic reputation
are the hallmarks of WU’s cooperation with numerous partner universities
for student exchange around the globe.

A worldwide network of partner universities is one of the key pillars of WU’s
internationalization strategy. About halfof WU’s partners are located in Europe,and about the same number on othercontinents, with a strong focus on North
America and Asia.

These university partnerships give WU
students the unique opportunity toenrich their studies through exchange
periods at prestigious institutions. At
the same time, exchange students fromrenowned universities around the globe
contribute to WU’s inspiring, distinctly
international classroom atmosphere.

EUROPE100
NORTH AMERICA

ASIA

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39
AFRICA

5
L ATIN AMERICA

11

AUSTR ALIA /NEW ZEAL AND

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Global Network
Active membership in renowned international associations defines WU’s
global network. These contacts link WU to other top institutions and createa high-value learning environment for the benefit of students and faculty.

CEEPUS (Central European Exchange
Program for University Studies) –Enhances the exchange of students andfaculty in Central, Eastern, and South
Eastern Europe. WU is coordinator of
the CEEPUS AMADEUS network.
CEMS (Global Alliance in Management
Education) – A global alliance of leadingbusiness schools, multinational companies, and NGOs. CEMS sets a global standard in management education throughits Master’s in International Management
program.
ENGAGE.EU – A European networkof universities intended to serve as amodel for interdisciplinary education andresearch, a platform for exchanging ideas,
and a catalyst for social change.
ERASMUS+ is the EU’s flagship exchange
program, aimed at enhancing cooperation between higher education institutions across Europe and with third

countries. WU is a holder of the Erasmus
Charter.
GBSN (Global Business School Network) –Prestigious business schools have joined
forces to support management educationin the developing world. GBSN serves tofacilitate collaboration and share knowledge, advancing management educationthat delivers international best practicewith local relevance.
PIM (Partnership in International Management) – A worldwide consortium of
highly renowned business schools, facilitating international cooperation among
members, fostering the development
of joint programs, student and faculty
exchange, and joint research.
THEMIS – Top universities have cometogether to create a new standard in business law responding to an ever-increasing
demand for law professionals with international know-how and expertise.

“Vienna is the most livable cityin the world. Studying at WU
gives you the opportunity tolearn from local and foreignteachers, you’ll meet incredibly
intelligent students and you’ll
get the chance to get involved
with other non-academic
activities. I loved it.”

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Exchange@WU
WU’s exchange students study at a renowned European university with apronounced international classroom atmosphere in one of the most popular cities in the world. These factors contribute to an experience that isacademically, personally, and professionally rewarding.

BENEFITS

Every year WU welcomes about 1,000
exchange students from all over theworld. WU’s incoming students benefit from the variety of courses offered,
WU’s comprehensive support structures
for exchange students, and its modern
campus infrastructure and facilities.
Additionally, they profit from Vienna’sfavorable location in the heart of Europe
and the city’s excellent quality of life.
ACADEMIC PROGR AMS

During an exchange semester or year at
WU, students can choose from a broad
academic portfolio in business, economics, and law at undergraduate and graduate levels with many courses taught inEnglish.

WU also offers German courses for students who would like to improve theirlanguage skills.
In addition, WU welcomes partner university students for short academic programs, with the International Summer
University WU as WU’s flagship summer
program for international students.
SUPPORTWU offers comprehensive support services ranging from welcome and orientation programs to a buddy network,
housing assistance, language courses,
and much more. An experienced teamat WU’s International Office serves as
the main contact point for exchange students and helps with all exchange-related
matters.

Learning German
Learning a foreign language can be a rewarding experience in many ways.
Exchange students have various options for learning German at WU.

PRE-SEMESTER GERMANLANGUAGE COURSESWU offers preparatory German courses
for incoming students who want toacquire solid foreign language skills
before attending regular classes. The
courses are held prior to the start ofeach semester. Courses are available forall different skill levels, from beginner toadvanced. The course schedules allow
exchange students to participate bothin the language courses and the orientation program.
GERMAN BUSINESSCOMMUNICATION COURSES

Exchange students at WU can also attend
German Business Communication classes.

These language courses are offered atfive different skill levels, starting frombeginner to very advanced. Courses run
throughout the entire semester.
› All German language courses are
subject to a participation fee.
TANDEM LANGUAGE LEARNING

Tandem learning is a reciprocal language
learning program, in which WU students
are paired with native speakers of theirtarget language in order to help eachother learn their respective languages.
The program is organized by WU’s Raiffeisen Language Resource Center andruns throughout the semester.

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Courses
A broad variety of courses taught in English and in German allows exchange
students to put together their ideal course program perfectly matching
their study interest and schedule.

COURSES IN ENGLISH

COURSES IN GERMANWU offers around 500 demanding, highquality courses taught in English eachsemester, covering all core business andeconomics fields as well as related areas
like business law, information systems,
and personal skills.

Exchange students with sufficient German skills are free to register for courses
taught in German.

A number of courses are offered in blockformat for increased scheduling flexibility. In the winter semester, several of thecourses held in English for exchange students end before the Christmas break.

WORKLOAD

The standard workload in one semester
is 30 ECTS credits, which corresponds
to around 5 courses. Exchange students
are allowed to sign up for a maximum of
36 ECTS credits plus a German BusinessCommunication course.

“I was very impressed by the selection offered. It goes intoa lot of different special fields.”

Exchange
Services17

Housing
WU provides housing assistance to incoming exchange students to help
them find a convenient place to stay. WU’s cooperation with providers ofstudent accommodation ensures that housing is guaranteed for exchange
students.

Exchange students coming to Vienna
have several housing options. WU does
not have on-campus housing, but there
are several options to choose from:want to book a room in a student dorm,
please make sure that you complete yourregistration as soon as possible. Room
allocations are based on a first come, firstserved principle.

OPTION 1: RESIDENCE HALLS

There are several residence halls throughout Vienna offering short-term rental
possibilities. Some of the options are
OeAD Housing, The Social Hub Vienna,
Campus Studios, Viennabase – homes forstudents, Milestone, STUWO – student
housing, CoLivi, ÖJAB, and THE FIZZ.
Rents start at €400 per month. If you© OeAD-WVGmbHOPTION 2:
PRIVATE ACCOMMODATIONWU has a cooperation with the platform
housinganywhere.com. HousingAnywhere has specialized in helping international students find and book a room
abroad.

© OeAD-WVGmbH

Orientation Programs
WU’s Orientation and Cultural Program is the perfect opportunity to kickstart an exchange experience at WU.

ORIENTATION AND
CULTUR AL PROGR AM

The two-week Orientation and Cultural
Program held before the beginning of
the semester offers exchange students
a head start on their international experience. This multifaceted program provides
valuable insights into Austrian culture anddaily life.
The program includes guided tours in andaround Vienna, trips to major Austrian
cities, museum visits, numerous social
events, and, of course, a welcome event
on Campus WU.
In small, intimate groups, students are
given the opportunity to adjust to their
new surroundings, get to know eachother, and to truly enjoy their exchange
experience.

The programs take place in February and
September. Participation is optional. The
program is subject to a participation fee
and can be combined with participationin the pre-semester German language
course.
ER ASMUS BUDDY NET WORKThe Erasmus Buddy Network (EBN) is a
department of the Student Union of WU.
Exchange students can register online
for the Buddy Program before coming
to Vienna. Buddies assist exchange students especially during their first few
weeks in Vienna. On demand, they pickup incoming students upon arrival andhelp with student residence procedures
and administrative requirements. The
Erasmus Buddy Network also organizes
a number of social activities, such as
skiing weekends or trips to Prague andBudapest.

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Green mobility
On average, all WU outgoing exchange students taken together travelledaround 10 million km on the way to our partner universities and back. In
other words, our WU outgoing exchange students circled the world 240
times.

Help us to make these 10 million km
as green as possible. Many exchange
semester destinations can easily bereached by train or bus. We compiled
eight destinations for you, but many
more exist!
DESTINATION

TR AVEL TIME

The website ecopassenger.org
can help you compare routes
and travel emissions acrossEurope.

CO 2 EMISSIONS

Train

Plane

Train

Plane

Zurich7h 50min

1h 20min

10,4 kg

126,4 kg

Hamburg

8h 40min

1h 35min27,3 kg

139,0 kg

Berlin8h 45min

1h 15min28,1 kg

115,3 kg

Brussels

10h 20min

1h 45min27,3 kg

152,8 kg

Amsterdam

10h 45min

1h 50min

33,0 kg

158,3 kgMilan

11h 20min

1h 20min12,9 kg

131,4 kg

Paris

12h 10min2h14,2 kg

172,4 kgRome

13h 50min

1h 35min43,5 kg

141,2 kgIf you need further information regarding a sustainable
exchange stay abroad, check out this link:short.wu.ac.at/sustainable-exchange-stay-abroad

Dates and Deadlines
WINTER SEMESTER

April / May

Nomination deadline for partner universities
Nominated exchange students receive an email withinformation about their studies at WU

May

Application deadline for:›	
Orientation and Cultural Program›	Pre-semester German language courses› Online pre-enrollment for students

July

Course catalog for the winter semester goes online

Mid-August

Online registration for courses

Early September

1st WU Incoming Kickoff
Latest arrival date for participants of the Orientation
and Cultural Program and/or the pre-semester German
language course

September

Orientation and Cultural Program (two weeks)
Pre-semester German language course (two weeks)

End of September

Start of semester2nd WU Incoming Kickoff
Latest arrival date for all winter semester exchange
students

Mid-October

GO GLOBAL– Your event to internationalize
your studies

End of December –beginning ofJanuary

Christmas BreakSeveral courses held in English end before theChristmas break, which allows exchange students
to leave Vienna before Christmas

End of January

Official end of the winter semester

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SUMMER SEMESTER

October /NovemberNomination deadline for partner universities
Nominated exchange students receive an email withinformation about their studies at WU

NovemberApplication deadline for:›	Orientation and Cultural Program›	Pre-semester German language courses› Online pre-enrollment for students

Late December /early January

Course catalog for the summer semester goes online

Mid-January

Online registration for courses

Early February

1st WU Incoming Kickoff
Latest arrival date for participants of the Orientation
and Cultural Program and/or the pre-semester German
language course

February

Orientation and Cultural Program (two weeks)
Pre-semester German language course (two weeks)

Late February

Start of semester2nd WU Incoming Kickoff
Latest arrival date for all summer semester exchange
students

End of June

Official end of the summer semester

“I met so many friends at WU,
and I was exposed to a lot of
new cultures and people fromall over Europe and the wholeworld. I found that there
was a really good sense ofcommunity at WU.”

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International
Summer UniversityWU
WU’s International Summer University (ISUWU) is intended for all students
who want to use the summer months to give their academic progress an
extra boost.

WU’s International Summer University
Program (ISUWU) is a short-duration, highquality academic program for international students looking for a WU program that is shorter than a full exchange
semester. Every year up to 200 students
representing more than 20 nationalities
from all over the world participate in
ISUWU.
The program’s main objective is todeepen the students’ knowledge in
specific business-related fields and toopen up international and intercultural
perspectives.
Throughout the program, participants
are assisted by the dedicated ISUWU team,which also organizes the various socialand cultural activities students can enjoy
besides their academic training.

› The program is organized in two threeweek sessions in July and August andoffers courses at the undergraduate
and graduate levels.
› ISUWU courses typically also integrate
important contemporary topics likesustainable management, social media,
entrepreneurship, innovation, andmany more. Group work on practicalcase studies and real-life projects inintercultural teams provide a valuable
learning experience for the students.
› ISUWU is taught entirely in English. Aninternational team of lecturers gives
the intensive academic program its
global orientation and guarantees highquality standards in teaching.

If you need further
information about the
ISUWU, check out thisQR Code.

Campus WU
WU’s modern campus provides faculty and students with a state-of-the-art
infrastructure creating the best possible environment for teaching, studying, and developing new ideas.

INTELLIGENT ARCHITECTURE

Campus WU is the concrete realizationof WU’s vision for a modern university,reflecting the values and ideas WU stands
for. The campus consists of six distinct
building complexes, designed by international architects, clustered aroundthe central Library & Learning Center,all together creating an environment for
WU students and staff that encourages
productive work and communication.

The cantilevered roof of the Library &Learnig Center – also famous for its
impressive four-story-high entrance hall
– is the campus‘ main architectural landmark.
OPEN SPACESTATE-OF-THE-ART TEACHING AND
LEARNING ENVIRONMENTOther key features of Campus WU arebarrier-free accessibility and the “green
building” principles that were used in thedesign of the campus. Generously proportioned open grounds between theindividual buildings invite students, faculty and visitors to stroll around and relax.

All auditoriums and classrooms areequipped with state-of-the-art presentation technology. Natural daylight createsa pleasant teaching and learning atmosphere. Plenty of student workplaces andspecial project rooms are at the disposal
of WU’s students for independent study
and work on group projects.

Campus WU also offers restaurants,
cafés, a supermarket, and a bookstore.
The nearby Prater Park, Vienna’s biggest
recreational area, is a perfect place forenjoying leisure activities. Two subway
stations connect Campus WU to the city
center, which is in close range.

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Life in Vienna
Vienna ranks among the most attractive cities around the world. Traditionand culture, research and education, economic growth, and a safe andlivable environment make it a place with a very high standard of living that isrecognized internationally.

Vienna is Austria’s capital and its politicaland economic center. 2.6 million people
live in the Vienna metropolitan area, one
of EU’s top regions. Its central location
also makes Vienna an ideal starting point
for trips to other European cities.

buildings such as St. Stephen‘s Cathedral or Schönbrunn Palace are must-see
sights. Vienna’s tradition as an imperial
city, its world-class musical heritage, andtraditional and contemporary art play animportant role in the city’s everyday life.

Many international organizations andcompanies have their headquarters in
Vienna, which is not least due to thecity’s modern and efficient infrastructure– Vienna offers an excellent public transportation network and well-organizedpublic services – and its safe and livable
environment. Vienna has an abundanceof public parks, which provide attractive
leisure opportunities. The city is also
famous for its tap water, which flows to
the city from mountain springs and is
known for its high quality.

With a total of 22 higher education institutions and over 190,000 students, Vienna
is one of the biggest university cities in
the German-speaking world.

The Vienna city center is on UNESCO‘sWorld Heritage list. Famous historical© WienTourismus/Peter Rigaud

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Contact
WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business)
International Office (IO)
Welthandelsplatz 1,
Library & Learning Center (LC),Level 4, 1020 Vienna, Austria
T +43-1-31336-4310
wuio@wu.ac.at
wu.ac.at/io/en
instagram.com/wuinternationaloffice

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Links
Austrian Students’ Union (ÖH WU)
ebnwu.com
Austria Tourism
austria.info
Vienna Tourist Board
wien.info/en
Vienna Public Transportation
wienerlinien.at
WU ZBP Career Center
zbp.at/en

Aus

ste

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llun

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Vorgar tens traßBus line 8 2 Ae

82A
KrieauU2 KRIEAU
Max-Koppe Gasse

U2 MESSE

LMK
J

EA

x

Athletic facilities
Bicycle parking
E-bike charging station
Information

NO
X
SR

82A
Trabrennstraße

Messe Wien

Restaurant
Library
Shopping
Entrance

WES T p pr

LC

D4

Messestraße

plp 250 m

AD
D5Memorial

D3

D2
po SOUTH

Südportalstraße

AR ADMINISTR ATION AND RESEARCH› Administration› Research Institutes
EA WU EXECUTIVE ACADEMY O› Corporate Relations & Alumni Services› Research Institutes
D5 DEPARTMENTS 5› Strategy and Innovation› Socioeconomics (only Ecological Economics)› Research Institutes
AD ADMINISTR ATION N› Rector’s Council› Finance, Accounting and Statistics(only Accounting)TC

PraterPark
D4 DEPARTMENTS 4 OX
› Economics› Socioeconomics› Finance, Accounting and Statistics(without Accounting)› Library for Social Sciences X
D3 DEPARTMENTS 3 X› Public Law & Tax Law› Private Law› Research Institutes› Library for Law X

pl EAST

SC

D2

82A
Südportalstraße
LC LIBR ARY & LEARNING CENTER xXNS
› Ceremonial halls› Forum› IT-Services› Central Library X› Study Service Center› International Office› WU Shop S
D1 DEPARTMENTS 1 O› Global Business & Trade› Research Institutes› Cafeteria O
TC TEACHING CENTER N› Audimax› AulaD2 DEPARTMENTS 2 ORS› Foreign Language BusinessCommunication› Information Systems & Operations› Management› Marketing› Support Center
SC STUDENT CENTER› ÖH Students’ Union› Sports Center K› Student organizations› University Chaplain› Kindergarten P

Trabrennstraße

D1

We l t h a n d e l s p l a t z

Perspektivstraße 4AR

Entrance garageArriving by public transport:
Subway: U2 stations “Messe-Prater” or “Krieau”
Bus: 82A, “Südportalstraße” stop

07/2023WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business)
Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria
wu.ac.at