WU Vienna Summer University
- Study business in English during the summer.
- Live in beautiful Vienna, a city known for its superior quality of life.
- Earn up to 6 KU credits.
The International Summer University at WU (ISU WU) is an intensive short-term program that provides students an excellent opportunity for international business education. Conducted by the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (Vienna University of Economics and Business or WU), students select courses of interest and can earn up to 6 KU credits during a three week session. The program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students and is conducted entirely in English. Nearly 200 students from around the world participate each year and the program offers social and cultural activities designed to provide an unforgettable experience in the incredible city of Vienna.
One of the best aspects of WU is the university’s location in Vienna. Vienna is a bustling capital city of just over 2 million people well-known for its high quality of life, great beauty, and cultural richness. Known as both the "City of Music" due to its musical heritage and the "City of Dreams" as home of the world famous psycho-analyst Sigmund Freud, Vienna teems with fascinating culture, history, music, artwork, food, and architecture. Vienna is also home to several important international organizations such as the Organization Petroleum Exporting Companies (OPEC) and UN offices. Austria’s standing in the world lends WU close ties to the surrounding corporate world and beyond.
Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (or WU) is one of KU's business exchange partners and has been ranked one of the best business schools in Europe. The university specializes in business and economics and has the largest student body in Europe, enrolling nearly 27,000 students each year. About one quarter of the student body is comprised of international students from more than 230 partner universities worldwide.
WU is located in the heart of the city, and students can easily navigate the city by bus, tram or underground (subway) system, and travel throughout Europe via the European Rail Network (EuroRail). The Wein Westbahnhof (Vienna West Rail Station) is easily accessible with trains connecting to Germany, Switzerland, Hungary and more. The City Airport Train (CAT) connects the city to Vienna International Airport. A Vienna public transportation ticket is included in the cost of the program.
Students may choose from two different three-week sessions that take place in July or August. Each session includes intensive coursework in selected business courses plus social and cultural activities. Course selections vary from year to year and will vary slightly between the July and August sessions, but typically include topics such as International Business, International Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management. Learn more about WU course offerings for upcoming sessions.
Courses are taught by a team of experienced WU lecturers and international guest lecturers with the main objective of deepening specific knowledge in business. Courses are designed to be highly interactive with an emphasis on group discussion and teamwork. Visiting local companies and solving practical case studies in intercultural groups complements the strong theoretical basis.
Courses and credit vary by session, but KU students typically earn 4-6 KU business credits.
Summer 2024 Course Options + KU Credit
- Negotiation Management = MGMT 400, 3 credit hours
- Responsible Entrepreneurship = ENTR 410, 3 credit hours
- Responsible International Management in the Digital Age = IBUS 480, 2 credit hours (Students may complete a 1 credit independent study with Dr. Melissa Birch or another KU business faculty member for a total of 3 credit hours. Additional tuition fee applies.)
- Social Media Content Strategy = MKTG 400 (TBC), 3 credit hours
For course equivalencies offered during the August session or in the graduate program track, contact Jenna in KU Study Abroad.
Students will book their own accommodations in Vienna. Vienna offers an abundance of student housing options and the host university provides a list of recommended options for participants in this program. Options range from rooms in student dormitories to boutique student hotels. Cost and amenities will vary by option selected. Most options are located close to the WU campus and will feature a single bedroom. See detailed information and a list of accommodation options at the WU Accommodation website.
Coffee and lunch are provided by the program on lecture days (usually Monday - Friday). Students will do breakfasts, dinners and meals on weekends on their own and a cost estimate for these additional meals is included in the cost of the program. Depending on the type of accommodation selected, students may have access to kitchen facilities and/or breakfast provided.
A public transportation ticket for the city of Vienna for the duration of the program is also included.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Considerations for Austria
Austria has laws in place to protect ethnic and religious minorities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, the differently abled, and other groups. Same-sex marriage is available in Austria and the LGBTQIA+ community is well-developed in all larger cities. Racism and bigotry are not socially accepted although some extremist political parties have been accused of racist sentiments.
Austria mandates accessibility to public buildings and cities and public transportation are generally accessible to individuals with disabilities. Older sections of the cities and smaller towns may be less accessible due to centuries-old architecture, cobblestone streets, and small indoor spaces.
Source: U.S. Department of State country information pages and Diversity Abroad.
Additional Resources
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
Open to KU graduate students and undergraduate students with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. There is no language requirement; the language of instruction is English.
Undergraduate students must have sophomore standing by the beginning of the program. Graduate students must be currently enrolled in an MBA or Economics graduate program (preferred focus on Business Administration/Economics), or have a Bachelor degree in a business major.
Scholarships may be available for study abroad programs. Consult the Center for Global Business Studies website for more information on study abroad scholarships for business students. For funding opportunities available through Study Abroad & Global Engagement, please visit our Study Abroad Scholarships page.
Learn more about the International Summer University at WU