FAQs
Application
Which criteria are taken into account for admission to the CFM program?
Admission to the CFM program is based on the EBC 1 grade and on previous academic performance (overall grade point average as well as grade criterion of the 27 best ECTS credits). In the course EBC 1 you need at least a "satisfactory" grade. All criteria apply equally.
If I got a “sufficient” in EBC 1 but a “good” or “excellent” in EBC 2, can I submit my EBC 2 grade for the application?
Yes, this is possible. Please send a printout of your EBC 2 grade to cfm@wu.ac.at. In addition, language tests can also be submitted for the application. Please send the language test certificates to the CFM email address as PDF attachments. Please send your certificates only during the application period. For a list of accepted certificates and required levels, see Application and Student Selection.
I have only completed Introduction to Business Communication (IBC), can I still apply?
Yes, it is possible to apply. However, you’ll have to prove your language skills. This proof can be provided by taking various language tests. Please send the proof to cfm@wu.ac.at, but only during the application period. For a list of accepted certificates and required levels, see Application and Student Selection.
My EBC 1 exam takes place in January, can I still apply for CFM?
Yes, please inform cfm@wu.ac.at as soon as possible about that (latest January 14) and we can arrange that your exam will be corrected in time. We will be able to provide that for max. 30 students, so please inform us asap.
How is the previous academic performance calculated?
Your previous academic performance is calculated using the grade criterion and the overall grade point average. The grade criterion is calculated as follows: The best courses worth a total of 27 ECTS credits are used for calculation. For both criteria, all curriculum-specific modules are taken into account, with the exception of free electives and the bachelor’s thesis. Only grades already available on the transcript can be considered. Out of all applications received, a ranking is created that is used to determine who will be admitted to the program. Those students who meet the English criterion and are among the best in both performance criteria will be accepted.
Can I apply at an earlier/later date?
No, you can only apply during the application period. For the summer semester, the application period is scheduled approximately at the beginning of February and for the winter semester at the beginning of September. Admission at a later date is not possible.
Is there an admission quota for advanced students?
Yes, a certain number of places in the CFM program are awarded to advanced bachelor's students (Studienfortschrittskontingent). Please register as usual in LPIS ("Einstieg in das Programm Cross-Functional Management"). Please note that you must still meet the general admission requirements for CFM (e.g. proof of sufficient English language skills).
The Program
Do the various courses build on each other in terms of content?
The courses do not necessarily build on each other in terms of content and there is a high degree of flexibility in the sequence of the various courses. However, we highly recommend reading the detailed information concerning the structure of the core fields and courses before registering for a specific course.
Project Seminar (FS): The seminar can only be taken after completion of the VUE + PI course in the respective area.
Working in Diverse Teams (AG): This course is designed as the introductory course to CFM. It is highly recommended to start the program with it.
How many of the program’s courses can you take per semester?
This depends on the individual workload. It is possible to complete CFM in 2 semesters.
Do I have to take courses immediately after admission?
No. It is not necessary to take courses in the semester after admission. It is also possible to apply during your semester abroad. (Attention: Credit transfer of courses completed abroad is only possible for admitted students!)
Do incoming students (exchange students) also take part in the courses?
Yes, a large number of the course participants are incoming students. This gives WU students the opportunity to improve their intercultural skills during their studies.
Can I register for CFM courses as a concurrently enrolled student (Mitbeleger/in)?
Please note that regular students enrolled in the CFM program have priority. Students who wish to take a course as a concurrent student or take courses as free electives can only be admitted to a course if there are still places available after the end of the regular registration period.
What is the difference to other SBWL specializations?
CFM is a program jointly offered by various WU departments, and it has a scope of 40 ECTS credits. CFM corresponds to 2 SBWL specializations and therefore provides students with a comprehensive program including three distinct fields: Finance, Marketing, and Strategy & Leadership. In addition, the entire program is taught in English and incoming exchange students participate in almost each course. The courses are very interactive and group assignments are important elements in most courses. Please be aware that you will often work in international teams.
Are there waiting lists for the individual courses in the CFM program?
Yes, there may be waiting lists for all CFM courses. If possible, students move off the waiting lists after the end of the course registration period. This is mainly determined by academic progress.
Can I write my bachelor’s thesis as part of the CFM program?
Yes, this is possible after completion of the project seminar and depending on the capacities of the course instructors. Please choose the project seminar in the field in which you want to write the thesis and attend the course "Grundlagen des wissenschaftlichen Arbeitens" – if possible in English.
Responsibilities and Contact
Who can I contact for further questions?
Prof. Edith Littich, Dean for International Affairs at WU, has overall academic responsibility for CFM.
Institutes from several WU departments and experts from the industry contribute to this specific program. If you have questions concerning a specific course, please contact the course instructor(s) directly.
Is there a single contact person for the CFM program?
Anna Rösch is the administrative coordinator of CFM. Her office is located in the International Office. Office hours are Tue–Thu 9:30am–12:30pm and on Wednesday additionally also from 2:30pm–6:00pm.
You can reach Anna Rösch personally during office hours, by email (cfm@wu.ac.at), by phone (+43-1-31336-4375), or, if you have already been admitted to the program, via the CFM Facebook Group.
Cross-Functional Management