univie: winter school for Cultural Historical Studies 2026

Theme: "The Discovery of Modernity - Vienna Around 1900"

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

The winter school courses provide a well-structured introduction into one of the most fascinating periods of Austria's intellectual history in a short time. The culture of the fin-de-siècle is one of the highlights in the history of the Habsburg Monarchy.

The two-week program offers four academic courses taught live online. The courses are held by distinguished scholars with international teaching experience. The interdisciplinary lectures will lead to a thorough understanding of the input of the fin-de-siècle on the modernization of Europe.

The two-week program combines first class academic courses with an extensive social and cultural program. The high level lectures in the morning are complemented with excursions to the city and to museums in the afternoon.
Vienna’s rich cultural heritage, especially the museums, will lead to a thorough understanding of the input of the fin-de-siècle on the modernization of Europe.

The international background of the participants offers the possibility to discuss the influence of developments in Vienna (e.g. the famous psychoanalyst Freud, painters like Klimt and Schiele, musicians like Mahler and Schönberg or philosophers like Wittgenstein) on different cultures in Europe and other continents.

The academic course environment encourages intercultural and social exchange and favors mutual understanding within the international student population. Participants thus broaden their horizon, meet colleagues from different fields of study, make friends for life and build connections for their future professional careers.

CREDITS & GRADES

The Winter School offers six courses with 4 ECTS creditsper course (corresponding to 32 contact hours). Each contact hour consists of 45 minutes classroom teaching.

In the course of the two week program students can attend two courses and obtain up to 8 ECTS credits.

Final examinations are given in all courses. Courses are graded using the Austrian grading system: 1 (Sehr gut/very good); 2 (Gut/good); 3 (Befriedigend/satisfactory); 4 (Genügend/sufficient); 5 (Nicht genügend/failed). The grade points given in the transcript provide an opportunity to differentiate performance within each of the stated grades. 

APPLICATION

The Winter School has a rolling admission policy and considers applications in the order of their arrival. Since the program cannot accept more than 60 students, early application is encouraged.

The application deadline for the Winter School 2026 is November 30, 2026.

Application Material

Applicants have to submit the following application material:

1. Application form: Applicants must complete the application form available at the section downloads. 

2. Statement of Purpose (Letter of Motivation): Applicants have to submit a written statement of motivation (1-2 pages). 

3. Transcript of Record: The application must include an official, certified transcript showing courses and grades from the university the applicant is currently attending. Applicants who have already completed their studies should submit a copy of their diploma. All transcripts and diplomas must include an explanation of the grading system used. 

4. Official proof of proficiency level in English: Applicants whose native language is not English must submit proof of their proficient command of English.

TOEFL, IELTS, or ESOL Test Score Reports are preferred. Diplomas or test score reports from other official institutions stating the English level, will be accepted if the results are comparable to the levels of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

For participation in the univie: winter school an English level comparable to C1 (within the CEFR) is recommended. Applicants with a high B2 level (within the CEFR) can also be accepted.

For Students who have studied for at least one year at a university where the language of instruction is English, proof of this fact will be sufficient.

Students who studied to become an English teacher, translator, or interpreter for at least one year, can provide us with proof of their field of study and courses they took, as proof of their English knowledge.

5. Passport-size photo taken within the past year. 

6. Program fee: After receiving the invoice via email applicants have to transfer the winter school fee of € 1,730 plus the Austrian students' union fee of € 25.20 to the following bank account: 

Innovationszentrum Universität Wien GmbH – Sommerhochschule

Bank: UniCredit Bank Austria AG

Bank address: Schottengasse 6, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Account number: 00282240100

Bank code: 11000

BIC: BKAUATWW

IBAN: AT57 1100 0002 8224 0100 

Please note that applications will not be reviewed until all required materials have been received. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Application material can be send via email or via regular mail. Emailed applications have to be send to: sommerhochschule@univie.ac.at. Posted applications have to be send to:

Innovationszentrum Universität Wien GmbH –

Sommerhochschule

Campus of the University of Vienna

Alser Strasse 4/Hof 1/Tuer 1.16

1090 Vienna, Austria