UI Tippie College of Business students are able to take advantage of exceptional instruction in the field of business and commerce at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien—WU). The WU offers a wide range of courses in English to students with little or no knowledge of German.

Alternatively, for those with a command of the German language, WU offers more than 2,000 courses—exchange students are free to choose from almost all courses available and put together their individual timetable. This exchange program is only suitable for business students (admitted into the college). It may be available on a case-by-case basis for those pursuing a Certificate in International Business. However, pre-approval is required.

No German language experience is required for this program, though students enroll in a required German language course while they are in Austria. Austria is a German-speaking country, so elementary German or equivalent is recommended.

You can learn more about WU on their Exchange Semester website.

Academic Program

For the first month of this program, students enroll in a German language course and cultural program designed to orient them to life in Austria.

After the pre-semester language and cultural orientation, students can choose from a wide variety of undergraduate courses in business with a special focus on international content. WU’s offers around 70 courses taught in English, while students with significant German language proficiency can choose from WU’s general course catalog. Fields covered include:

• Marketing and Management
• Regional and Business Environment Policy
• European and Eastern European Studies
• Finance, Investment, and Accounting
• Economic Policy and Trade Management
• Business Skills
• Human Resources and Organizational Behavior

Courses

Learn more about WU’s Pre-Semester German language course.

Explore WU’s general course offerings, including courses taught in English and German, on their Academics website.

Flexibility Regarding Course Offerings

Foreign universities are typically unable to provide a final course catalog for the upcoming semester until shortly before the semester begins. Students usually do not know which specific classes they can take before arriving abroad, and they usually do not register for classes until they arrive in their host country- this means that there is no way to guarantee that you will be able to enroll in your preferred courses. Your final course schedule may not be finalized until you are already abroad and attending classes.

Because of these differences, all students must meet with their academic advisor before going abroad to discuss how the differences in course availability will affect their degree progress and graduation plans. It is important to develop a back-up plan in case your preferred courses are not available when you arrive at their host university.

Applying credit toward a UI degree

Unless UI Study Abroad has an approval on file for the courses you take abroad to be applied toward a specific major, minor, certificate, or general education requirement, you will receive general elective credit for your course.

If you plan to apply the credit you receive for your program course to a major, minor, certificate, or general education requirement, contact your UI study abroad advisor for details on the process. 

Cultural Activities

During your first weeks at the WU, you will participate in the Orientation and Cultural Program and take an intensive German language class. These two programs are required for all University of Iowa students.

Learn more about the Orientation and Cultural Program, and the Pre-Semester German language course.

During the semester, you’ll be matched with an Austrian student who is part of the Erasmus Buddy Network to provide help and support, and give you a chance to meet local Austrian students. You can also apply to be matched with a German speaker to practice your German language skills through the Tandem Language Learning Program.

• Erasmus Buddy Network
• Tandem Learning Program

Finally, WU’s Student’s Association plans trips and events throughout the semester, and, of course, the city of Vienna is renowned for its cultural importance in the areas of music, dance, and literature.

Program Dates

• Fall Semester: Mid-September - end of January/early February* (including the pre-semester German language course)

*Most of WU's fall semester classes do not end until late January or early February. Fall semester students may need to remain in Austria through most of January/early February to complete their course work, which may mean that you would arrive back in the US after the start of the spring semester at the University of Iowa. Students should work with their professors at WU on arrival to Vienna to determine whether they will need to remain in Vienna through the end of the semester.

Fall semester students should consult with their academic advisor at the University of Iowa to discuss their options for arriving back to the University of Iowa after the start of the spring semester before committing to participating in the fall semester session of this program.

• Spring Semester: Early February - end of June/beginning of July (including the pre-semester German language course)

You can find specific dates for the upcoming sessions in the under the Academic Calendar section of the most recent Fact Sheet provided under the About WU Vienna heading on WU's study abroad website.

For more information

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application for this program, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa.
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: study-abroad@uiowa.edu

Where You Will Study

Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU)

• A CEE Competence Center with a strong international focus (more than 175 student exchange agreements with partner institutions worldwide).
• The Austrian business and economics university with the strongest business community support.
• One of the oldest business schools in Europe, established in 1898, with a tradition of high-quality research and training.
• Consistently ranked among the top two (of 120 universities in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria) in international business education.
• Famous for the special assistance of international students through the Buddy Network.
• Proud to have academic advisors who act as tutors and who support exchange students in selecting appropriate classes and give advice on matters of academic nature.
• Located in Vienna which is one of the most beautiful and safest cities in Central Europe.

The Vienna University of Economics and Business (Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien—WU) is the largest business school in the European Union. It offers top-notch curricula in the fields of business administration, commerce, economics, information systems, and business education.

Vienna

The WU is located in Vienna, the capital of Austria and one of the most beautiful and safest cities in Europe. Once the capital of the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire, the city traditionally stood at the crossroads between East and West and it has regained its traditional significance due to recent developments. The city is rich in tradition and highly varied cultural influences make themselves felt in the splendid art, music, food, drink, and other pleasures it offers. At the same time, it is a modern city with an excellent infrastructure and an attractive political and business center hosting many international organizations such as the United Nations, OECD, and many more.

Learn more about Vienna on WU’s Living in Vienna website.

Culture & Art

There is much to see: from Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral to the Imperial Palace to the Art Nouveau splendor of the Secession, from the magnificent baroque palace Schönbrunn to the Museum of Fine Arts to modern architecture at the MuseumsQuartier.

Entertainment

During the past few years numerous new restaurants and trendy meeting places have been established. The different scenes have "conquered" entire city neighborhoods and revived others. Whether it is in the bourgeois inner districts or the more suburban outer districts, you can enjoy numerous open-air venues all over the city.

Austria

Other parts of Austria also have a great deal to offer, the most prominent example being the Alps, which have some of the best skiing, snowboarding, and hiking in the world, as well as thermal springs to relax after a hard day in the mountains. Moreover, Vienna’s location makes it a perfect starting point for trips to London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, Prague, Budapest, Cracow, Salzburg, and many more. These locations are just a 1-2 hour flight away, and are easy to reach at a reasonable cost with many budget airlines to choose from.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

Students can choose from a variety of accommodation options at WU. Typically students have their own, private bedroom and share living space, a kitchen, and a bathroom with local Austrian students or other international students. You can learn more about the accommodation options available to you on WU’s Accommodation website.

University of Iowa students are required to stay in housing arranged through the host university. Iowa students cannot stay in privately arranged housing.

Housing Costs and Deposits

Housing costs will be paid directly to your host institution. You will receive details about how to pay for your housing abroad from your host institution prior to departure. You should plan to pay a housing deposit early in the semester prior to your departure.

Estimated housing costs are provided under the Application tab above.

Passport

All students need a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for the visa you will need to enter your host country.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements (Flights)

Purchasing Plane Tickets

UI Study Abroad will not arrange a group flight to your study abroad destination. You will purchase plane tickets to your host country on your own, though UI Study Abroad can assist by providing advice regarding airline booking options.

You are advised not purchase your plane tickets until:

1. You have received an official offer of acceptance from your host university, and have submitted confirmation materials to UI Study Abroad.
2. You have finalized your housing arrangements abroad.
3. You are aware of 1) the semester start date (including orientation programing) and 2) the move-in date for your accommodations abroad.
4. You have received your visa (if required- contact your study abroad advisor for more information).

Arrival Plans

Plan to arrive in your host country as early as possible the day before official program activities begin. To ensure that you meet your host country's immigration requirements, and that you are covered by international health/travel insurance, do not arrive in your host country sooner than one day before the official start of program activities.

If you have questions about purchasing plane tickets, or would like to coordinate your travel with other UI students, please contact your UI study abroad advisor.

Local Transportation

Vienna has a very convenient public transportation system. The WU recommends that students buy a "Student Semester Card" for the public transportation system (Semesterticket), which is available for students under the age of 26. This pass is valid for one semester (from October to January and from March to June) and is available at the price of EUR 150 at the ticket offices at any major subway station. To apply for the student semester card you need to show proof of your enrollment and your student ID. By way of exception, you can buy the student semester card at the subway station Praterstern near WU (subway lines U1 and U2) showing only your letter of acceptance if you arrive during the weekend or before the enrollment at WU. Please keep in mind that this is only possible at the ticket office at Praterstern and only if you arrive very early or during the weekend. Monthly tickets are also available at a reduced student rate. There are also weekly tickets, but those tickets have no reduced student rate.

Eligibility

This program is open to University of Iowa students who fulfill the following requirements:

• Good academic and disciplinary standing- Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Students placed on either academic or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad on a University of Iowa program. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who are not in good standing at any point overlapping with the program dates will have their acceptance revoked, and will be responsible for the associated late withdrawal fees.
  
• Minimum 3.0 UI and Transfer GPA- Students must have a minimum 3.0 UI and Transfer GPA to participate in this program (transfer GPAs lower than 3.0 may be considered on a case-by-case basis).
  
• Junior, or Senior standing required- Students must have junior, or senior standing at the time the program begins.
• Completion of Tippie prerequisites and at least two core requirements- Students must have completed the Tippie College of Business’s business prerequisites and must have completed Principles of Macroeconomics and Financial Accounting or by enrolled in those courses at the time they apply to the program.
  
• German Language Requirements- No German language experience is required, Elementary German or equivalent is recommended.
• Approval by UI study abroad and Tippie- A student’s application must be reviewed and approved by their University of Iowa study abroad advisor and a representative from the Tippie College of Business.  Contact your UI Study Abroad advisor for details.
  
• Acceptance by host institution- Students must be accepted by their host institution as a temporary visiting student. Acceptance by the host institution is typically automatic for students that have been nominated by their study abroad advisor, but the final acceptance decision is made by the international student office and the sponsoring departments at the host institution based on their own internal requirements.
• Attendance at mandatory orientation programming- Students must attend all in-person and online pre-departure orientation programing presented by UI Study Abroad.
• Clear interest and commitment- Students must demonstrate a clear academic or personal interest in the program’s subject matter, and a commitment to engage responsibly in coursework abroad.
  
• Demonstrated preparedness and maturity- Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel. Students must demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.
  
  

Costs

Students will be responsible for paying many of their program costs through their University of Iowa U-Bill, while other costs will be out-of-pocket costs paid by the student directly to vendors before and after going abroad. Refer to the cost sheets below for details on the costs associated with this program.

The cost sheets outline the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid purposes. They include fees charged on students’ U-Bill as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

Costs for future sessions are usually similar to the current session, however students can expect a modest increase in overall costs each session. Final cost sheets for future sessions are typically available early in the semester before the session begins.

Cost Sheets

Cost Sheet- Vienna Exchange Program- Spring 2025

Calculating Fees

The cost sheets are based on the fees described below:

• University of Iowa Study Abroad Administrative Fees
• University of Iowa’s CISI health insurance
• Tippie College of Business Tuition and Fees, housing, flight, and other costs of attendance.

Cost sheets do not include the following optional costs:

Personal Travel Costs

Costs for personal travel are not included in the cost estimates provided on the cost sheet. If you plan to travel outside of your host city or country during or after your study abroad program, you will need to budget for additional funds to cover the cost of your personal travel.

The cost of personal travel depends entirely on each student’s individual travel plans and spending habits. Estimates for personal travel costs provided by past students on this program vary significantly from $1,500 to as much as $9,000 or more per session.

Costs charged to the U-Bill

• Application Fee- (charged at the time of application, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed.)
• University of Iowa Tuition & Fees- (charged shortly before departure.)
• Study Abroad Fees- (charged shortly before departure.)
• CISI Health Insurance- (charged shortly before departure.)
• Pre-Session Language Course- (charged shortly before departure.)
• Orientation & Cultural Program- (charged shortly before departure.)

Out of Pocket costs (not charged to U-Bill)

• Round trip airfare from Cedar Rapids- (paid by student directly to travel agent or airline- approx. 6-8 weeks prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed)
• Food- (paid by student at their discretion while abroad)
• Housing- (charged upon arrival to Austria)
• Visa/Immigration fees- (paid by student on arrival to Austria, or shortly before arrival/before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed. See the Immigration/Visa section under the Predeparture tab for more information.)
• Local Transportation- (paid at student’s discretion while abroad)
• Cell phone- (paid at the student’s discretion while abroad)
• Passport- (paid by student prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed.)
• Textbooks- (paid as needed while abroad)
• Medical Exam/Immunizations- (paid by student as needed prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Personal expenses- (paid by student at their discretion while abroad)
• Personal travel expenses- ( paid by student at their discretion while abroad )

Scholarships & Financial Aid

You can find information about options for funding your study abroad experience, including financial aid, scholarships, grants, etc., on UI Study Abroad’s Finances page.

How to Apply

This is a two-part process. You apply first with the University of Iowa. If approved, you will submit a separate application to the host university abroad.

• Meet with the appropriate study abroad advisor to discuss your study abroad plans well ahead of the application deadline. Your application will not be approved until you've completed this step. You can set up an appointment by calling UI Study Abroad at 319-335-0353 or through the Advising Appointment section of your MyUI account.
• Meet with your academic advisor(s) to discuss how this program might fit your graduation plans, and make a back-up plan in case your preferred courses are not available when you arrive on your host university’s campus (see the Flexibility Regarding Course Offerings section for more information.)
• If you and your academic advisor agree that the program is a good match for you, complete the UI Study Abroad application. Please note that the non-refundable $50 application fee will be charged to your U-Bill as part of this online application.
• If you meet the requirements for the program and there are sufficient spaces available, you will be nominated to study at the host university by UI Study Abroad.
• Once nominated, you will receive details about how to complete the visiting student application for the host university abroad. Your application will be reviewed by the host university, and they will contact you with your final acceptance decision.
• Academic Year and Fall semester students can expect to receive their final acceptance decision from the host university by early summer, and Spring semester students can expect to receive their final acceptance decision from the host university by late November.

Post-Acceptance

Confirmation

If you are accepted to your program, you will be asked to commit to participating in your program by submitting the University of Iowa Confirmation of Participation form, and by completing requirements for your host university.

After you have formally confirmed your plans to participate, you will work both with UI Study Abroad and your host university. Follow instructions from both. Later in the semester, your UI Study Abroad advisor will contact you regarding orientation sessions, registration, and other required UI procedures and documentation.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Fall and Academic Year sessions are due on February 24.

Applications for the Spring session are due on September 24.

Limited Admission

Admission to this program is limited to a small number of students each semester, based on the current exchange balance with the host university.

Complete applications from eligible students will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Interested students are encouraged to submit complete application materials as soon as possible to increase their chances of securing a place in the program during their chosen session.

Enrollment for the Fall 2025 and Academic Year 2025 - 2026 sessions is limited to 1 semester student.

Contact your study abroad advisor for updates on available spaces for the upcoming sessions.

Health & Safety Planning

Students should carefully review the following materials starting at least two months prior to departure:

Prepare for Departure

Health and Safety

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Immigration/Visa

All program participants are required to complete immigration requirements to enter and study in your host country. UI Study Abroad and your program provider/host institution abroad will provide you with immigration instructions prior to departure.

Note that permission to enter and study in your host country is provided exclusively by the host country’s government based on that country's immigration requirements. Your host country’s immigration requirements may include considerations related to specific national origin, national heritage, criminal background status, and similar issues that can make it impossible to receive permission to enter the country in some cases. Contact your UI study abroad advisor for more information.

It is essential that you thoroughly review all of your immigration materials before you leave for your host country to ensure that they are absolutely complete and accurate. It is entirely your responsibility to ensure that all of your immigration materials are in order and fully accurate before you leave for your host country. If any of your immigration materials contain inaccurate information of any kind, contact your UI study abroad advisor immediately to discuss your options.

Do not take steps to complete your host country’s immigration requirements until you receive more information from UI Study Abroad.

Review the UI Study Abroad Travel Documentation website for further guidance on the immigration/visa process.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider. See below for more information.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course "Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation" prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

This orientation will be facilitated by your UI study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.

There are no photos available for this program yet. Do you have any photos to share with us? If you do, please contact us at:

1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1802
USA

Phone: (319) 335-0353
Fax: (319) 335-0343
E-mail: study-abroad@uiowa.edu