Welcome

to the

University of
Vienna
Information for
ERASMUS Students
Academic Year 2013/2014

International Office
With this guide we would like to give you an overview
on the areas interesting to exchange students.
Further details about each topic can be found in our FAQ area:
http://international.univie.ac.at/en/incoming-students/erasmus/faqs/
This brochure is also available online:
http://international.univie.ac.at/
(Incoming Students ERASMUS)

Basic check list

(Deadlines and further details depending on your period of stay can be found in the
detailed check lists in our FAQ area)

Before the ERASMUS stay

Short description

1.1

1.

Nomination by home university

1.2

2.1

Receipt of an information e-mail

1.2

2.2

Completion of the online pre-registration

1.2

2.3

Conveyance of the ERASMUS Certificate

1.2

2.4

1.2

2.5

1.5 & 1.10

2.6

1.16

2.7

1.13

2.8

Course registration (depending on the field of study)

1.13, 1.14
& 1.15
1.11

2.8,
3.
4.

Language requirements / German language courses

1.6 & 1.7

5.

Students with special needs

1.23

6.

Accommodation in Vienna

1.20

7.

Health insurance

1.21

8.

Entry and residence requirements

1.22

9.

1.26
1.17, 1.18
& 1.19
1.29

10.

11.

12.

2.1

13.

2.1

14.

2.1

15.

2.1

16.

2.9

17.

Certificate of attendance by the University of Vienna

(optional, not earlier than 2 weeks prior to departure)

3.1

18.

Notice of Departure (not earlier than 3 days prior to departure)

3.1

19.

Transcript of Records

3.3

20.

Receipt of a Letter of Acceptance after sending in the ERASMUS

Certificate
Preparing a Learning Agreement depending on home university and
the departmental coordinator at the University of Vienna
Online registration for an Orientation event
Receipt of an e-mail including student ID number and information
on e.g. u:net
Activating the u:net account

Paying the students' union fee (H-Beitrag / each semester)

(Recommended) arrival in Vienna
During the stay

Welcome

Guide
No.
P.

General information on the University of Vienna (AWien01)

A brief general overview

Registration for the Buddysystem provided by ESN (optional)

At the end
of the stay

FAQ
area

Registration of address within 3 days of arrival

Attending an Orientation event: Registration &
receipt of student ID card
Contact departmental coordinator, signature Learning Agreement
Confirmation of Registration for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens within 4
months of arrival
Extension of ERASMUS stay at the University of Vienna (optional,
only possible from winter to summer semester)

4
5

On page 9 you can find further practical information:

Student Mobility Office contact details
Safety information
Public transport - Wiener Linien
Emergency telephone numbers

1) General information on the University of Vienna (AWien01)

A brief general overview
http://www.univie.ac.at
The University of Vienna was founded in 1365 by Duke Rudolf IV. It is one of the oldest and largest
universities in Europe. Approximately 91.000 students are currently enrolled at the University of
Vienna; the university offers more than 180 different fields of study.
The scientific institutions of the University of Vienna are spread over more than 60 locations (for an
overview, see http://www.univie.ac.at/plaene/institute.html).
Use the following link to see a corporate video of the University of Vienna:
http://www.univie.ac.at/en/university/corporate-video-of-the-university-of-vienna/
The semester dates are:
winter semester:
1 October 31 January
summer semester: 1 March 30 June
Please note that the bilateral agreements between the University of Vienna and your home
university are arranged within specific fields of study, thus please choose courses only in the
field of study you have been nominated for.
In case of interest in additionally attending courses in other fields of study, please see our FAQ
area/item 1.10.
The course catalogue of the University of Vienna contains all courses and is only available
online. In the course catalogue, you will find details for each course (time and place, number of
hours/semester, ECTS, language of instruction if the language of instruction is any other than
German). http://vorlesungsverzeichnis.univie.ac.at
You can also look for courses held in other languages than German by selecting the desired
language. Furthermore, on our website under "Quicklinks" you can find two links (current and
last semester) to courses taught in English at the University of Vienna.
You will find the field of study you are looking for by clicking on "BROWSE. The course catalogue
for the coming semester will be available online approximately in August and
January, respectively.
Please note that if you want to study at the University of Vienna, you will need to be able to
understand, speak and write German at an adequate level. With exception of certain
fields of study, the courses are held in German.
If there are offered enough English-taught courses in your field of study, please discuss this
alternative with your departmental coordinator at the University of Vienna if not German
knowledge but English skills will be sufficient for your study at the University of Vienna. In case
of acceptance please mention this circumstance on the ERASMUS Certificate.
For your guidance, we would like to inform you that we at the Student Mobility Office (see
page 9) are available for queries concerning all general topics around your stay, such as
admission, student ID card, health insurance, information on the university library and the IT
services of the University of Vienna, etc.
Your departmental coordinator (see section 2.6) assists you in all subject related
matters, such as detailed questions about courses.
ESN (ERASMUS Student Network) organises amongst other things various events for
exchanges students and provides a buddysystem (see section 10).

2.) The path to the preparation of your admission to an ERASMUS stay

at the University of Vienna
1. Nomination by your home university
Please contact your home university regarding the nomination as an ERASMUS student
at the University of Vienna. The nomination is to be sent by e-mail to
erasmus.incoming@univie.ac.at and to include the following details: name, date of
birth, e-mail address, period of stay, field of study according to the bilateral agreement.
2. Receipt of an information e-mail
After you have been nominated by your home university, we will send you an e-mail with
the further steps you have to take. If you have not received this e-mail by June 10 (for the
winter semester) or December 10 (for the summer semester), please send us a message
to the following e-mail address: erasmus.incoming@univie.ac.at
3. Online pre-registration
Please complete the online pre-registration with the aid of our guide by 1 July (winter
semester) / 1 January (summer semester).
4. ERASMUS Certificate
Also by 1 July (winter semester) / 1 January (summer semester), please send us the
ERASMUS Certificate either by post, fax, scanned by e-mail or upload it during the
online pre-registration.
5. Letter of Acceptance
After the completed online pre-registration and received ERASMUS Certificate, we have
all the necessary information for preparing your admission and you will receive your
Letter of Acceptance by e-mail or, upon request, by post.
6. Learning Agreement
As the procedure regarding the topic of Learning Agreement varies, we kindly ask you to
take into account the respectively applicable information on this topic in our FAQ
area/item 1.10 already from the beginning.
7. Online registration for one of our "Orientation" events
For organisational reasons it is necessary to register online for our orientation events in
advance between 15 June and 15 July (winter semester) / 15 December and 15 January
(summer semester). See also section 14.
8. E-Mail including student ID number and information on e.g. u:net
By the beginning of August (winter semester) / beginning of February (summer
semester) you will receive an e-mail including your student ID number and information
on the topics of u:net account activation, paying the compulsory fee for the Austrian
National Union of Students (H-Beitrag) and course registration.
3.) u:net
http://zid.univie.ac.at/en/services/for-students/account-e-mail/account-for-students/
u:net provides, amongst other things:

Use of the public PC rooms of the University of Vienna (internet access, MS Office ...)
An e-mail address in the form of "aSTUDENT ID NUMBER@unet.univie.ac.at"
Access to UNIVISonline (information regarding exam results, change of address...)
Use of the u:print system (print and copy service)

For your registration on u:net (u:net-Anmeldung), you will need:

Your student ID number (Matrikelnummer) which you will receive by e-mail at

the beginning of August (winter semester) or February (summer semester) at the latest
Your password which you have chosen during your online pre-registration
Additionally, you must enter another, freely chosen password. (58 characters, no
special characters, no blanks; please note that these characters are case-sensitive!)

In case of problems during the activation, please contact the helpdesk of the Vienna University
Computer Centre.
4

4.) Course registration

The registration procedure differs from course to course (mostly online via UNIVISonline,
sometimes in person). We recommend to directly use the course catalogue for the registration where you will either find a link during the registration period which will redirect you to the
correct registration system or information regarding the registration. . The registration will
begin depending on the field of study approx. in September/February. There is no firstcome-first-served principle during this period. Please note that for many courses, the deadline
for registration is the middle or the end of September or the middle or the end of February.
For further questions, please contact your departmental coordinator.
5.) Language requirements / German language courses
Please note that if you want to study at the University of Vienna, you will need to be able to
understand, speak and write German at an adequate level. With exception of certain
fields of study, the courses are held in German.
No official proof of language skills will be required from ERASMUS students who wish to study
at the University of Vienna (except for International Business Administration and English and
American Studies). However, your home university must confirm that you have an adequate
knowledge of German in our ERASMUS Certificate.
If there are offered enough English-taught courses in your field of study, please discuss this
alternative with your departmental coordinator at the University of Vienna if not German
knowledge but English skills will be sufficient for your study at the University of Vienna. In case
of acceptance please mention this circumstance on the ERASMUS Certificate.
If you wish to improve your language skills in preparation of your stay or during the semester,
you can register for a German language course at the Innovationszentrum of the University of
Vienna (http://www.deutschlernen.at). In most cases, ERASMUS students are granted a
reduction (see FAQ area/item 1.7).
In addition, a "Language Swap Shop (Tandem) is provided free of charge to students wishing to
improve their language skills by exchanging languages with a tandem partner.
The "Sprachenzentrum" (Language Centre) of the University of Vienna offers fee-paying courses
in many further languages at university level, see: http://www.univie.ac.at/sprachenzentrum
6.) Students with special needs
Please contact us as well as Birgit Virtbauer from Student Point already after your nomination to
enable us to offer the best assistance possible. Student Point offers detailed information on how
to access individual buildings, as well as warnings about potential problem areas:
Referat Student Point
Mag.a Birgit Virtbauer
E-Mail: birgit.virtbauer@univie.ac.at
http://studentpoint.univie.ac.at/zum-studium/barrierefrei-studieren/ (currently in German
only)
Information will also be provided at the Referat fr Barrierefreiheit of the Austrian National
Union of Students (H)
http://www.oeh.univie.ac.at/arbeitsbereiche/barrierefreiheit/ (in German only)
Unfortunately, some parts of the main building are difficult to access for people in wheelchairs.
Also the Student Mobility Office can only be reached via staircase and has no direct lift.
However, the Student Mobility Office will be glad to help you by individual appointments. The
situation varies from department location to department location.
5

7.) Accommodation in Vienna

You can choose between two types of accommodation: halls of residence and private
accommodation.
The OeAD Housing Office (OeAD-WohnraumverwaltungsGmbH) offers accommodation in
halls of residence. Please note the deadline when the payment for the deposit has to be
registered only after that a room can be reserved for you: 15 August for the winter semester, 15
January for the summer semester.
http://housing.oead.ac.at/
You can also find a place in a hall of residence by yourself. You will find a list of halls of
residence in Vienna at: www.oeh.ac.at/#/studierenleben/wohnen/studierendenheime/
Upon request, we will also provide ERASMUS students with an informal "Housing-List" of
persons who offer rooms or flats for rent.
ESN (ERASMUS Student Network) has established "Facebook" semester groups where people
occasionally offer information on available rooms or flats.
Furthermore there are links to websites with offers for private accommodation in our FAQ area.
In case you cannot move in right after your arrival in Vienna, we recommend to temporarily stay
overnight at a hostel.
8.) Health insurance
For your health insurance coverage in Austria, you need your EHIC (European Health Insurance
Card). This card grants you access to the same services that are available to Austrian policy
holders. It entitles you to see a doctor with the right health insurance contract (Kassenarzt see
below) in Austria and receive free medical treatment.
Students from Turkey, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro or Macedonia will
receive a form (TR/A3, HR/A3, SRB/A3, BIH/A3, YU/A3 or MK/A3) in their home country.
Upon submission of this form to the "Wiener Gebietskrankenkasse" (see link below), you will
receive a health insurance certificate (Krankenschein) entitling you to see a doctor with the right
health insurance contract (Kassenarzt see below) in Austria and receive free medical
treatment.
Students from non-EU/EEA countries or students who have no health insurance are advised to
take out a student self-insurance policy (Studentenselbstversicherung) with the Wiener
Gebietskrankenkasse. All international students, irrespective of nationality, are entitled to take
out such a self-insurance policy. This insurance will guarantee you free medical treatment.
http://www.wgkk.at
For a list of doctors (Kassenrzte) in Vienna (with a possibility of selection by language)
see: http://www.praxisplan.at/ (Under "Health funds" (Krankenkasse), select: "All health funds"
(Alle Kassen))
9.) Entry and residence requirements
a) Citizens from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland only need a valid passport or ID card for
entry into Austria.
Please note that since 1 January 2006, all EU/EEA and Swiss citizens who stay in Austria for
more than 3 months are obliged to register with the Municipal Department 35 (Immigration)
(Magistratsabteilung 35, Einwanderung) within 4 months of their arrival in Vienna, to get a
Confirmation of Registration (Anmeldebescheinigung).
6

b) Students from non-EU/EEA countries ("third country nationals") who would like to study in
Austria, need to apply for a visa or residence permit for their stay.
- for a stay up to 6 months: residence visa D
- for more than 6 months: residence permit for study purposes
Please submit your application while you are still in your home country - the earlier, the better.
Contact the nearest Austrian embassy for information on the required documents.
Please note: A visa cannot be granted nor extended in Austria!
10.) Registration for the Buddysystem of ESN
The ESN (ERASMUS Student Network) section of the University of Vienna, which cooperates
with the Student Mobility Office, supports exchange students amongst other things at the start
of their stay (e.g. separate "ESN orientation week at the start of the semester). More activities
are organised in the course of the semester, including guided tours of various enterprises and
cultural institutions, regular meetings (Stammtische), welcome and farewell parties, excursions
into the countryside around Vienna, films etc.
Upon request, ESN will also help exchange students to find a "Buddy, i. e., a student who will
help the ERASMUS student to get acquainted with university life in Vienna. If you would like to
have a Buddy, please register on their website: http://uni-wien.esnaustria.org/
11.) Paying the students' union fee (H-Beitrag)
To finalise your student ID card, you have to pay a fee for the Austrian National Union of
Students each semester. The payment of this fee including insurance (H = sterreichische
HochschlerInnenschaft), currently 17.50 per semester, is a prerequisite of a successful
enrolment (membership in the Student's Union is mandatory by law). You can pay the fee by
online banking, a special offer of ERASMUS Student Network (ESN) or a payment form.
Only after the fee has been registered in the university system, your admission is
completed. Please also consider when planning your journey to Vienna, that some
services, for instance the free use of the university library, are only possible with a valid student
ID card.
12.) Recommended arrival in Vienna
We recommend you to arrive in Vienna in the second half of September for the winter semester
and in the second half of February for the summer semester, in order to give you enough time to
find your way around. Attending a preparatory German language course prior to the semester
start (see section 5) or receiving your student ID card on time (see section 11) can also be
important aspects for your planning.
13.) Registration of address
All persons staying in Austria must register their address with a Municipal District Office
(Magistratisches Bezirksamt) within three days after their arrival in Austria. To register,
you will need to bring your travel document you used to enter Austria with you (e.g. passport).
The necessary forms, as well as a sample form, can be found in our FAQ area/item 1.22.
14.) Attending Orientation, receipt of student ID card
At the start of each semester, the Student Mobility Office offers special "ORIENTATION
sessions intended to give you a detailed overview for your start at the University of Vienna and
to help you to settle in Vienna.
ORIENTATION sessions last 1-1.5 hours and are held between the beginning of September and
the beginning of October (winter semester) or between the beginning of February and the
beginning of March (summer semester). Please note that for organizational reasons, it is
necessary to register online in advance (see section 2.7).
7

At this event you will be registered in person at the University of Vienna and you will
receive not only important information for your start at the University of Vienna, but also your
student ID card.
15.) Contact departmental coordinator, signature Learning Agreement
If you have questions concerning your courses or how to register for your courses, please contact the
departmental coordinator for the field of study for which you have been nominated!
Your departmental coordinator is also the first person at the University of Vienna to sign your
Learning Agreement. Please come to the Student Mobility Office for the signature of the institutional
coordinator only after receiving the signature from your departmental coordinator, unless the
Learning Agreement was sent to the departmental coordinator already prior to your arrival.
The name of your departmental coordinator will be sent to you in our information e-mail after we
receive your nomination. However, you will also receive the contact details directly at the
Orientation. In case you would like to attend courses in other fields of study, you will also receive the
contact details of the departmental coordination in question upon request at the Orientation.
16.) Confirmation of Registration for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens within 4 months of
arrival
See section 9 a)
17.) Extension of the ERASMUS stay at the University of Vienna
If you have been nominated only for the winter semester, you can apply for an extension for the
summer semester. Please discuss this option both with your home university and your
departmental coordinator at the University of Vienna. If approved, please convey us the form
"ERASMUS Certificate Extension" that is available in our FAQ area under "Forms" so that we
can prepare your enrolment for the summer semester (it is not possible to extend your stay from
the summer semester to the subsequent winter semester).
18.) Certificate of attendance by the University of Vienna
If you need an ERASMUS certificate of attendance (Aufenthaltsbesttigung), please ask for it at
the Student Mobility Office before your departure. Such a certificate of attendance can only be
issued within the last two weeks before your departure. In case you need your own document
signed and it includes subject-specific details such as language of instruction or exam dates,
please contact your departmental coordinator for signature.
19.) Notice of Departure
Not earlier than three days before their departure, students have to de-register at the Municipal
District Office (Magistratisches Bezirksamt), see also section 13.
20.) Transcript of Records
The easiest and fastest way to your Transcript of Records is to print it from your UNIVISonline
account. This Transcript of Records also contains a digital signature. Upon request, we can also
send you the Transcript of Records, once all grades have been entered into the UNIVISonline
system (this normally does not take longer than 1 month after the exam).

Further general information

Student Mobility Office
http://international.univie.ac.at/ -> Incoming Students -> ERASMUS
E-mail: erasmus.incoming@univie.ac.at
Fax: +43-(0)1-4277-182 29
Address:

University of Vienna
DLE Internationale Beziehungen / International Office
Student Mobility Office
A-1010 Wien, Universittsring 1
Office hours: see http://international.univie.ac.at/en/home/opening-hours/
Safety information
For questions regarding safety issues at the university, please contact: http://rrm.univie.ac.at/
For information regarding fire safety, please read the general fire safety regulations:
http://rrm.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/rrm/Download/Brandschutzordnung.englisch.
pdf
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us the Student Mobility
Office!
Public transport Wiener Linien
For students under 26 there is a 5-month semester ticket (September-January, February-June).
During the holiday months July and August, reduced monthly tickets are available.
Students staying only few months in Vienna or want to use the public transport for another
period, you can purchase e.g. regular monthly or annual passes. These are available also for
older students.
http://www.wienerlinien.at
Emergency telephone numbers
122
133
144
112
141
1455
(0)1-71 71 9
(0)1-406 43 43

Feuerwehr (fire brigade)

Polizei (police)
Rettung (emergency ambulance services)
Euronotruf (emergency call number valid in all countries of the EU)
rzte-Funkdienst (7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m.) (emergency medical services)
Apothekenbereitschaftsdienst (pharmacy services outside of
opening hours)
Frauennotruf (emergency call centre for women)
Vergiftungsinformationszentrale (Poisons Information Service Centre)

Edition notice:
International Office
University of Vienna
Universittsring 1, A-1010 Wien
Responsible for content: Mag. Karin Krall

Information updated in: April 2013