Technische Universität Wien (Vienna) - Science Only
Since its founding in 1815, TU Wien has been a strong supporter of research-based education, highlighting the importance of student involvement in research programmes.
This high level of student engagement and the encouragement of new generations of scientists has led to its history of cutting-edge contributions to research and education. TU Wien's prestigious alumni range from Christian Doppler to Otto Wagner, Alexander Meissner to Ingeborg Hochmair-Desoyer. The 28,000 students it hosts presently are not only given excellent scientific opportunities, but also engage in a sophisticated culture scene with TU's two orchestras, the TU-Forum public debate series, and the elegant TU-Ball, the oldest ball in Vienna that is hosted annually by the university.
Key information
Application information
Student experience
This student-made "mockumentary" highlights some interesting aspects of life & culture at TU Wien! (English subtitles available)
Study Abroad in Vienna, Austria!
Natasha Men
Useful links
Program details
TU Vienna offers a wide variety of programs, including the following science programs: Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics & Statistics.
Courses at TU Vienna are called "Lehrveranstaltungen" and can be searched for online. Here are instructions to find English-taught courses at TU.
A full-time workload for TU Vienna students is 30 ECTS credits. Exchange students are recommended to register for 18-24 ECTS, because time clashes could be a problem and studying in German may be challenging. 6 ECTS = 3 units at UCalgary (1 course), so 18-24 ECTS = 3-4 UCalgary courses.
The exchange agreement with TU Vienna falls under TASSEP. TASSEP is the Trans-Atlantic Science Student Exchange Program, a consortium designed specifically with the curricular needs of science students in mind. Canadian students have access to European Partners in the consortium.
The academic year is divided into 2 semesters. The Winter semester runs from early October to late January and the Summer semester runs from early March to late June. It is not possible for students to complete the Winter semester in December.
Please Note: Austrian visa applications may require travel to the Ottawa embassy to submit documentation and take biometrics as needed - please speak with the exchange advisor as soon as possible about whether this will be required for you.
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Costs
It is recommended that students budget around €720-€920 per month to pay for accommodation and living expenses.
Please Note: Austrian visa applications may require travel to the Ottawa embassy to submit documentation and take biometrics as needed - please speak with the exchange advisor as soon as possible about whether this will be required for you.
Vienna cost comparison vs CalgaryStudent Tips: "Generally the cost of living, compared to Calgary, was MUCH cheaper, especially rent."
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange, you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
Exchange students to TU Vienna are not guaranteed housing, but are given multiple options. They may stay in off-campus dormitories (single or double occupancy), in flats shared with other students, or in private apartments. Due to the variety of housing options, prices vary greatly and can range from €270-€470 per month. Student housing is coordinated by the housing office OeAD.
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in the Faculty of Science, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-).
Students must have a command of German at the B1/B2 level (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language) at a minimum, or have completed at least two 300-level or above courses in German.
Do I have to speak another language?
Academic instruction at TU Vienna is available in both English and German. No prior knowledge of German is required for courses in English. Students who wish to attend German-taught classes must have completed a minimum of German 333 (4 semesters of German) or the equivalent in order to participate on this exchange. Students can also choose to register for intensive German language courses offered before each semester or for continuing German language classes during the semester - cost is approximately €320 - see online for details.
What's so special about Vienna?
Located on the large Danube river, Austria's capital city Vienna provides an engaging culture environment. It is nicknamed the "City of Music", having been the birthplace of some of Europe's most famous composers (Haydn, Brahms, Beethoven, and Mozart, to name a few), and still today it is possible to attend numerous concerts throughout the seasons, be it an informal session at one of the cozy dual-floor restaurants, a performance at the city opera house, or an extravagant ball.
Student Tips: "For Vienna, the film the 3rd Man was a good way to see a portion of important Viennese history before arriving."
What resources are available for new students?
TU Vienna publishes online a thorough Welcome Guide for international students, which may be downloaded from their incoming students page. They also offer a 2 week orientation program for €160 (see exchange homepage for details).
What accessibility resources are available?
TU Vienna's centre "Barrierefrei Studieren" (webpage available in German only) offers comprehensive support for students with disabilities. For information on accessibility of campuses across Europe, ESN has created Inclusivity Mobility which allows you to check the accessibility of universities and cities across Europe. For city-specific services and places in Europe, the Jaccede interactive platform (website and/or smartphone app - both Android and iOS) also provides a searchable user-built database to identify important accessibility information of public places and locations.
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Kathryn Bauer
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.