On this page, you will find all relevant information to apply for the WU mobility grant special support.

General information

• The special support of the WU mobility grant is designed for you if you are facing significant financial challenges that might hinder your ability to study abroad. This grant aims to facilitate your participation as WU student in exchange programs.

• 20 WU mobility grants with special support are awarded each academic year.

• Eligible destinations for the special support grant include partner universities in Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Great Britain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, and Ukraine.

• The federal study grant (German: Studienbeihilfe) and the Austrian aid for study abroad (German: BAS = Beihilfe für ein Auslandsstudium) as well as other grants can be obtained additionally. Please note that you must report funding from other grant-awarding authorities to the International Office.

• Per study cycle, you can receive a maximum of one WU mobility grant special support.

Application period

• Dates and deadlines: Applications are accepted during the summer semester (March 1 - March 15) and the winter semester (October 1 - October 15).

• You must apply for special support before the application periods for an exchange stay abroad.

Prerequisites & requirements

• For degree program students who wish to apply for a semester abroad or a double degree program at a WU partner university

• The formal minimum requirements are the completion of 36 ECTS credits in a bachelor's degree program (excluding free electives) or admission to a master's degree program.

• Approval for special support requires providing plausible proof of a special need. A special need may arise from:

  • Disability

  • Social need

  • Care obligations for children and/or other persons

  • Chronic illness (if this results in increased financial expenses during the stay abroad)

• Additional award criteria that come into play are academic performance and extracurricular activities.

Financial information

• On the basis of your target region, you can expect the following grant amount:

• The WU mobility grant will be paid out by WU in two installments. The first installment will be the total amount of the awarded grant minus €200.

• The second installment (€200) will be paid after your return, provided all required documents have been submitted on time.

Application

• To apply for the WU mobility grant special support, please use this online form.

• Application is only possible within the official application period.

Selection procedure and decision

• Suitable candidates are selected by a selection committee consisting of the Vice Rector for Academic Programs and Student Affairs, the Dean for International Affairs, and a representative of the Austrian National Union of Students (ÖH WU). The selection is based on the following criteria:

  • Quality of the application (e.g., written expression, strength of argumentation, self-assessment)

  • Plausibility that without this grant, a stay abroad would not be possible

  • Academic achievements and, if applicable, other extracurricular commitments

• Notifications regarding acceptance or rejection for special support will be sent to your WU email address before the application periods for a stay abroad.

• Approval for special support is valid for two semesters. For example, approval in March is valid for a stay abroad in the summer semester or winter semester of the following year. Confirmation in October is valid for stays abroad in the winter semester of the following year and the summer semester of the year after.