Winter semester of 2018/19: Easing into the start of the semester

University - a whole new universe? Tips, important dates and services to help you have a successful start to the winter semester.

Administrative details

The semester and the lectures start on 1 October 2018 (overview of important dates). PLEASE NOTE: The general admission period for the winter semester of 2018/19 ends on 5 September 2018. The extended admission period ends on 30 November 2018. (Information on the admission procedure)

Requirements:
In order to continue your studies in the winter semester, you have to pay your tuition fee/Students’ Union fee. There are several payment options. For information about continuing your studies if you have already paid your tuition fee/Students’ Union fee at another Austrian university, please visit the website of Teaching Affairs and Student Services.

TIP: Be well-prepared for the start of the winter semester:
At the beginning of the semester, the University of Vienna invites you to visit the welcome event unileben that will take place on Monday, 1 October and Tuesday, 2 October 2018. It offers plenty of information and services for new entrants. You can register for the free workshops and tours from mid-September onwards on the unileben website. (© Klaus Ranger)

Please note: If you make a payment via online banking or payment form, it can take up to seven working days for the payment to show as paid in the account information in u:space under "Financial matters > Tuition fee/Students’ Union fee".

u:card:
After they have paid their tuition fee/Students’ Union fee, new entrants receive the u:card – the new student ID card of the University of Vienna. It will be sent via mail to the address specified on u:space under "Personal Matters > My u:card". You have to sign the u:card and validate it at one of the u:card terminals at the beginning of every semester. 

TIP: u:space accompanies you through the semester                                                                      
The u:space portal offers you all the services you need for organising your university life. You can pay your Students' Union fee online, register for courses and examinations via u:find and download your documents (such as your student record sheet, transcript of records, confirmation of enrolment), etc. Our detailed video tutorials help you organise your studies. (© University of Vienna/Barbara Mair)

Introductory and orientation period (STEOP)

At the University of Vienna, there is an introductory and orientation period (STEOP) in the first semester for the majority of our bachelor’s and teacher education programmes as well as for the two remaining diploma programmes (Law, Catholic Theology) (https://slw.univie.ac.at/en/studying/study-organisation/introductory-and-orientation-period-steop/). The STEOP gives students an insight into their degree programme, so that they can make up their minds whether the subject will meet their expectations and whether they can meet the programme requirements. Completing the STEOP is a prerequisite for continuing with their studies.

In addition, orientation courses at the beginning of the semester help you plan your first semester and provide important information about your degree programme at the University of Vienna.

INTERESTING READING: Coping with test anxiety
Are you anxious before exams? Completely normal. Do you feel pressure to perform and psychological stress because of test anxiety? This is a problem. uni:view talked to a student about his experiences and asked psychologist Barbara Schober what test anxiety is and how you can cope with it. (© Tim Gouw CC0 1.0)

If I have questions about my degree programme, who can I ask?

The Teaching Affairs and Student Services team can help you with issues concerning your studies. The best contact points for particular questions during your studies are the StudiesServiceUnit (SSS) or the StudiesServiceCenter (SSC) as well as the students’ representatives of the relevant degree programme (e.g. for subject-related information on studies and the range of courses, the registration system, registration and de-registration deadlines, examinations, recognition of examinations and graduation).

The Teaching Affairs and Student Services team provides information about admission to degree programmes, the tuition fee and the application/aptitude procedure on their website, in presentations, via the contact form and via telephone.

Accessible studying

Students with, for instance, mental, motor or sensory impairments can find relevant information on the Accessible Studying website. The Accessible Studying team (e-mail: barrierefrei(at)univie.ac.at) is available to answer any queries, for instance about alternative examination methods. It provides counselling for alternative examination methods, offers technical aids for students to borrow, finds individual assistants and written notes by students, etc.

INTERESTING READING: Students with impairments: the Accessible Studying Team offers support!
University life often becomes a challenge for students with physical or mental impairments. The Accessible Studying team advises and assists students with impairments and tries to prevent unnecessary obstacles before they can even occur. (© Accessible Studying team)

Moreover, the Accessible Studying team offers an information day providing information about accessible studying – the Welcome Day (registration).

The University of Vienna also offers a grant for the specific support of disabled students.

PRIZE DRAW: Already Raffled!
In cooperation with the Online Shop of the University of Vienna, uni:view offers you the chance to win 1 of 3 university hoodies in navy, grey or azure (unisex). (© University of Vienna)

Any questions left unanswered?

At the counselling centre of the Austrian National Union of Students at the University of Vienna you find the answers and/or the right contact details to help you with any queries. And: This is where you get your popular cafeteria sticker (Mensen-Pickerl, giving you a EUR 0.80 discount off every menu in the Mensa) as well as the Kopierpickerl (copying sticker) (copying sticker, reduced copy card of the Austrian National Union of Students with 220 copies for EUR 10).

At the beginning of each semester, the students’ representatives at the University of Vienna offer academic counselling services for first-semester students, providing advice on the selection of courses, on the curriculum or the examinations that have to be taken, and much more.                                                                                                                                                                            

You can also receive support and advice at the Psychological Counselling Services: it is free, confidential and you can use it anonymously if you like.

NEW: The University of Vienna on WhatsApp
You are always up to date: The University of Vienna’s new WhatsApp service provides you with information, tips and tricks, as well as interesting facts about studying and research in all disciplines at the University of Vienna on a regular basis. Click here to subscribe. (© University of Vienna)

How do I plan my semester?

u:find serves not only as the online course directory but also as the staff and unit directory of the University of Vienna. The course directory provides an overview of all courses, including information about the lecturers, registration procedure, e-learning, and more. Please note that you have to register for courses and examinations via u:find. For further information about planning your semester, please see here.

TIP: The Campus is celebrating its birthday
The University of Vienna’s Campus was established in 1998 on the grounds of the "Altes AKH" (former general hospital). Since then, it has served both as a workplace and as a green oasis for students and employees. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary, a varied programme – including tours, exhibitions, lectures and panel discussions – invites students, employees and the public to celebrate along with us. (© University of Vienna/derknopfdruecker.com)

What comes after the bachelor’s examination?

For admission to a master’s programme, you need to have completed a bachelor’s (or diploma) programme in the same or a related discipline. Therefore, it is important to consider which master’s programme you are interested in already at the beginning of your studies. If you combine your bachelor’s programme with certain extension curricula, you have a wider range of options when deciding on a master’s programme. The Master Access Guide outlines which degree programmes you have to complete for admission to a particular master’s programme. 

INTERESTING READING:
In the blog contribution "5 steps for admission to a master’s programme", Barbara Hamp from Teaching Affairs and Student Services explains the most important steps for admission to a master’s programme. The blog contribution "Master’s programme after Bachelor: Why continue the relationship?" provides helpful information about the decision "master’s programme – yes?  No?" (© University of Vienna/Barbara Mair)

Digital learning
                                                                                                                                              
The website of the Vienna University Computer Center (ZID) provides information about the University's e-learning services. In 2017, u:stream was significantly modernised. In the winter semester, five lecture halls will already feature new equipment and control systems. In the remaining lecture halls the previous u:stream technology is still in use.

TIP: Blogging with us
The Uni Wien Blog is a rich collection of stories about people who shape the University of Vienna. Students, alumni/alumnae, teaching staff, researchers, employees, etc. can seize the opportunity to write about their personal experiences, ideas, adventures, tips and tricks, projects, everyday life or about their highlights at the University of Vienna in the official blog of the University of Vienna. (© University of Vienna/Barbara Mair)

Getting to know my University       

Every Thursday and Saturday there are tours of the Main Building of the University of Vienna. Tickets are available at the porter's desk in the Aula of the Main Building (discounts for students: EUR 3.50 per ticket). Everyone who would rather find their way around their new place of study by themselves can borrow an audio guide from the porter.

We also recommend the guided tours of the Campus of the University of Vienna, the guided tours of women’s history at the University of Vienna, the rainbow tours on the history of homosexuality at the University of Vienna, as well as other special guided tours on a wide range of topics, such as the Wolf Science Centre, the Haidlhof Research Station as well as tours of scientific collections.

TIP: Take a beginning of the semester tour 
All students are invited to a free tour of the Main Building of the University of Vienna that takes place at the beginning of October. Further information about the dates and registration will be available from mid-September onwards on the unileben website. (© University of Vienna/Franz Pfluegl)

Researching in the University Library

With a stock of over 7.1 million books, 325,000 e-books, 80,000 e-journals, 7,400 print journals and over 1,200 databases, the Vienna University Library is Austria's largest library. At the same time, it is also the oldest university library in the German-speaking area, dating from 1365. The reading rooms and the reference library in the Main Library in the Main Building are open until 22:00 on weekdays and until 18:00 on Saturdays, including during the semester holidays in February 2018. (Detailed opening hours)

The 38 special and department libraries stock 4.3 million books, journals, maps and other materials for teaching, research and studying.

VIDEO: In welcher Bib lernt ihr am liebsten? (Which library do you prefer for studying?)
In addition to the Main Library, there are 42 special libraries at the University of Vienna. Students of the University of Vienna tell us, which of the special libraries they prefer for studying.

Recreation: sport and music 

Anyone wanting to sign up for one of the many low-cost sport courses and dancing classes offered by the University Sport Institute (USI) should put 19 September 2018 in their diary, as this is the day that registration starts. You can also register for the courses online. But be quick: the courses are popular and places fill up very fast. The A to Z of courses is available online as of 1 September and the actual courses start in the first week of October. 

PRIZE DRAW: Already Raffled!
In cooperation with the University Sport Institute (USI) in Vienna, uni:view has 3 vouchers for USI courses for the winter semester of 2018/2019 to give away (block courses not included). (© USI Vienna/Markus Frühmann)

The Vienna University Philharmonic is looking for new members as well. There are eight choirs and two symphony orchestras, comprising almost 900 musicians in total, of all levels and age groups. This makes the Vienna University Philharmonic one of the largest choral and orchestral communities worldwide. The repertoire ranges from classical music to pop, world music, musical and jazz. Vocal and instrumental auditions start in the winter semester. Further details are available on their website under the "Join us" tab.

Up to speed in languages                                                                                                                       

The Language Centre of the University of Vienna offers courses for 30 different languages at different levels, language courses for ERASMUS students and courses in English for Specific Purposes. You have time until 24 September 2018 to register for standard semester courses (once a week, starting on 8 October 2018) (online course finder: "Which course suits me?"). The Language Blog features monthly contributions on the topic of language learning.

People who would like to offer lessons in their language in exchange for lessons in another language can sign up for the Language Swap Shop run by the Language Centre.

PRIZE DRAW: Already Raffled!
In cooperation with the Language Centre, the University of Vienna offers the chance to win a language course in the winter semester of 2018/19 (value: EUR 360). (© University of Vienna/derknopfdruecker.com)

Up to speed in IT                                                                                                                                   

In order for you to stay up to date with the latest developments in picture editing, website design and word processing, the Vienna University Computer Center (ZID) offers IT courses every semester. The ZID Helpdesk provides support with university-specific IT services.

Other services for students offered by the University of Vienna include: low-cost laptops for students (u:book sales promotion in the winter semester: 24 September until 21 October 2018), u:account (e-mail address, web space, etc.) or using the computer rooms.

TIP: Low-cost laptops for students
The u:book sales promotion for the winter semester of 2018 runs from 24 September to 21 October 2018. (© University of Vienna/Barbara Mair)

For those who work particularly hard

Students can apply for a merit scholarship and check previous applications in u:space under "Financial matters". There are also other grants and project sponsorship opportunities. A large number of other sponsorship opportunities are listed in the Austrian Database for Scholarships and Research Grants maintained by the Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research (OeAD).

Gaining work experience

Gaining work experience is a valuable complement to your studies. uniport, the University of Vienna's careers service, provides information about a range of jobs and placements as well as advice on job applications. If you are interested in stories about career and career choices, please read the uniport blog. ABAk, targeted especially at students with disabilities, is a great opportunity to find placements or jobs directly after the completion of a degree programme.

The Erasmus+ programme makes stays abroad possible.

Students with children

Students who are also parents can use the services provided by the University of Vienna's Children's Office. These services include counselling, childcare services or the Flying Nanny service.

INTERESTING READING: 10 things I wish I had known before starting university
Starting and continuing your studies is sometimes tricky. Therefore, it helps to know important tricks, such as where to find the information you are looking for and who can provide assistance if you have problems. The univie blog provides tips that help you manage your studies. (© University of Vienna/Barbara Mair)

Studying further afield...

Anyone who intends to study abroad as part of their degree programme will find the information they need at the University of Vienna's International Office. On their website you will find information about application deadlines for ERASMUS+, Non-EU Student Exchange and many other mobility schemes.

Evaluating courses

The University of Vienna is very interested in feedback from its students and graduates. The results feed into the further development of teaching offers, the curriculum and services for students. Feedback is collected systematically via the Unit for Quality Assurance. Courses are methodically evaluated by students by means of degree programme-specific questionnaires. The feedback is analysed and forwarded to our teaching staff, the directorates of studies and the Rectorate (information video).

Up-to-date information everywhere

The University of Vienna's events calendar provides an overview of university events. News from around the University of Vienna and information about current developments in academia can be found on the University of Vienna’s website, in the online magazine uni:view, on the University of Vienna's Blog, on the University of Vienna's Facebook page as well as on the YouTube channel, Twitter, Instagram and, as of recently, also via WhatsApp. (red) 

TIP: Engage in societal debates
Each semester the University of Vienna poses its academics a question that is of particular relevance for today’s society. The current semester question and the researchers’ answers are always made available from the beginning of the semester under semesterfrage.univie.ac.at as well as on social media under #SEMESTERFRAGE. As part of a cooperation with the daily newspaper derStandard.at, experts respond to the readers’ questions and comments. (© University of Vienna/derknopfdruecker.com)


*Conditions of participation for the University of Vienna’s online prize draws