On average, exchange students should expect to spend roughly €1200/month on living expenses. This cost includes accommodation, food, study materials, books, entertainment and public transportation. 

The University of Vienna is the largest teaching and research institution in Austria. Students attend classes with Austrian and other international students. Students with advanced level German may also enroll in standard university courses with local and other international students which are taught exclusively in German. Students who wish to can enroll in intensive German language courses at the Innovationszentrum Universität Wien. Exchange students receive a 20% reduction for the intensive course. 

To see courses USC students have taken at this university, please reference the Registrar's Course Equivalency Table. 

While the university does not offer organized excursions, the city itself offers a broad range of cultural activities, including cinemas, theatres, concert halls, opera houses, museums, castles, and churches. Students often receive discounts for participating in cultural activities. Students are also welcome to join in any activities that the Erasmums Student Network (ESN) holds, such as as the Buddy System for students looking to be paired with a local Austrian student and a tandem language service. Students also have the opportunity for international, regional, and local travel. 

Per university policy, all USC students will be charged for  emergency medical, evacuation and repatriation insurance of  for their time abroad. Students will be enrolled in this insurance by the education abroad office prior to their departure. Contact the Education Abroad Office for more details. 

The University of Vienna does not have its own student halls of residence. Students are responsible for organizing their own accommodation in Vienna. It is strongly recommended that students begin the search early. The University of Vienna does partner with many third party residence halls. Students may also choose to find accomodation elsewhere in Vienna on their own. 

The academic calendar at the University of Vienna differs from that of USC. The fall semester runs from the beginning of October to the end of February while  the spring semester runs from the beginning of March to the end of June. Students can attend the University of Vienna for the spring semester or academic year.

At the start of each semester, the university offers special orientation sessions intended to help students get settled in Vienna. Orientation sessions last 1-1.5 hours and are held between mid-February and the beginning of March. Students should reach out to the University of Vienna's international student services for additional oppotunities to get involved with the local student community.

Students that plan to attend the University of Vienna for a semester or an academic year are required to apply in person for a student visa through the Austrian embassy within the region of their home residency. Students must note that only the Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C. consulates can issue student visas; honorary consulates cannot issue visas, therefore students must travel to the consulate located within their state's juristidiction. Planning ahead is vital in this process as each consulate operates on their own timeline.  Please contact the education abroad office with any further questions.