Application
Please note: The information on the application process below applies only to International Short Programs organized by WU and Short Programs of Partner Universities with nomination.
Important Dates for WU students
Online Infosession for Summer ISPs: January 23, 2025 (2:00pm), slides available here
Application period for Summer ISPs: March 3, 2:00pm – March 10, 2025, 12 noon via the Online Student Services (OSS)
Group advisory meeting for Summer ISPs: March 4, 2025 2:00pm); for more information see here
Group interviews for Summer ISPs will take place between March 17 and March 21, 2025
Application Requirements
Bachelor's level:
You can apply for an International Short Program as soon as you have completed courses worth at least 36 ECTS credits (excl. free electives). You can check online if you fulfill the application requirements. The credits must appear on your transcript of records by the date you apply for the program.
Master's level:
Enrollment in a master’s program at WU.
Please note that the ISPs abroad are usually designed for bachelor's students. For master students, application is only possible for selected programs (e.g. Vienna Spring Programs, Short Programs of Partner Universities without nomination). Please make sure to inform yourself about the application requirements of the respective program.
Application Procedure
Before starting the application process, please make sure you have downloaded the Application Sheet.
Step 1: Log in to the Online Student Services (OSS) with your WU student ID number. Enter all the relevant information on your preferences, contact details, and degree program in the application form and submit it. Please make sure to consider your choice of preferences carefully (only apply for the programs you would actually attend).
Step 2: Upload your application documents. Please make sure that you have filled out all the questions in the Application Sheet and please upload the sheet as a PDF document. Read the data protection statement and submit your application.
Step 3: Pre-selection for the respective International Short Program by the WU selection team based on your application documents.
Step 4: Invitation to small group interviews based on the pre-selection by the WU selection team (if applicable).
Step 5: The International Office will notify applicants whether their application was successful or not.
Application Documents
The following documents have to be submitted during the online application process.
One (1) completed Application Sheet with all the questions filled out (in English, 3-4 sentences per question)
CV in English
in some cases: transcript of records (German Sammelzeugnis)
Application form and proof of special need for a mobility grant (if applicable)
Application form for the role of student representative (if applicable)
Application Sheet
This sheet contains different questions regarding your motivation, engagement, and social and intercultural skills. It serves as a guideline for you to reflect upon aspects associated with participating in an ISP. Please make sure that you answer each question. Special attention will be paid to the extent to which you have personally dealt with the questions and expressed a certain degree of self-reflection.
We recommend that you download the Application Sheet as soon as you decide you want to participate in an ISP, so that you have enough time to add all your answers and can therefore submit the completed Application Sheet during the application period. You can indicate up to 3 ISP preferences in the Application Sheet, but do not have to submit separate Application Sheets for each preference.
Information regarding the International Summer University WU (not applicable for ISPs abroad):
Please note that if one of your indicated preferences is the International Summer University at WU (ISUWU), some questions might have to be answered a bit differently as compared to when you only apply for ISPs abroad. If you are applying for the ISUWU, please let us know in your Application Sheet which courses you would prefer to take. We will do our best to assign the preferred course to each student, but cannot guarantee that this will be possible in every case. Please find the overview of the offerd courses here.
Please note that you do not have to upload motivation letters for any ISP.
Please note that only PDF files can be uploaded.
Selection Criteria
Based on your application documents (and interviews, if applicable), you will receive an academic score and an extracurricular score. Academic score consitutes 60 %, and extracurricular score 40 % of your overall score, which will serve as the basis for selection.
Academic score: The academic score corresponds to your grade point average (GPA). It includes all finalized grades (as reflected in your transcript of records). To ensure all applicants have comparable chances, the GPA is weighted and adjusted using an upscaling model (click here to see example calculation).
Extracurricular score: This comprises the categories motivation, engagement, social & intercultural skills, as well as personal impression (if applicable) and overall quality of the application. Each category is assessed individually using a four-level scale: Outstanding - Good - Fair - Did Not Meet Expectations. Special consideration is given to your ability to demonstrate self-reflection and potential for self-development.
Based on your overall score, you might be invited for a second round of the application process, consisting of group interviews. In these interviews, the categories mentioned above will be assessed. Special attention will be paid to the authenticity of your answers from the application sheet. Based on your performance in the group interviews, your overall score might be adjusted.
During the online application process, students are asked to rank the available program offers and courses according to their preferences. The program preferences are assigned by an algorithm based on the overall ranking of all applicants. The algorithm automatically matches rankings with selected preferences. It starts with the top-ranked applicant and ends with the lowest-ranked.
Students enrolled in individual bachelor’s programs
Individual bachelor's program students (e.g. IBW Chinese):
Students enrolled in individual bachelor’s programs generally do not have access to the online application tool for International Short Programs. To gain access to the application tool, interested students have to send a request to spwu@wu.ac.at.