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IES Vienna

Large old building with many pillars. People are on the lawn of the building, and a bush with flowers indicates that it is springtime.
Old building with ornate architecture in the heart of Vienna.

IES Financial Aid Opportunity
Semester students: Receive up to $7000 in scholarships/aid, including an automatic $1000 grant! More details
Summer students: Receive up to $3000 in scholarships/aid! More details

You can apply for aid from IES Abroad before you’ve completed your IES program application.
IES Abroad aid amounts are confirmed within five days of submitting your aid application.

Austria, Vienna

IES Abroad Vienna is an approved UW affiliate program offering courses from a variety of different academic fields. Hear the sounds of this truly musical city as musicians perform on pedestrian shopping streets, explore the many museums and historical sites, check out all of the booths at Naschmarkt, and visit the stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral when you study abroad in Vienna!

Apply through this program page if you are interested in the following tracks:
European Society, Politics & Culture
Psychology & Social Sciences
Music

The Business, Economics, and International Relations track is managed separately through Wisconsin School of Business Global Programs.

The Music track involves a wide-ranging music curriculum, along with music performance workshops and one-on-one music instruction. This track is geared toward music majors and minors. At minimum, applicants should have a year of music theory or the ability to read music and follow a score.

You will be working closely with both IAP and IES on this program. You can access the program's main information page through the IES website to learn more about the academics, housing, excursions and activities, and location.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • 2.75 cumulative GPA for semester program, 2.5 cumulative GPA for summer program

  • Music Track: Music major or minor preferred, In the case of non-music majors/minors with serious experience, some exceptions can be considered. All applicants must have at least one year of study in music theory or the ability to read music and follow a score

    No previous German language study required for students enrolling in English-taught courses

    4 semesters of college-level German required for fall or year students enrolling in German-taught or University courses.

    5 semesters of college-level German required for spring semester students enrolling in German-taught or University courses.
  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Language Prerequisite(s):
    Variable (see notes) English
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

Provider

Subjects

humanities, social science, business, German language

Classroom Language

English, German

Housing

Apartments

Program Duration

Fall: Mid-August - Mid-December

Spring: Mid-January - Mid-May

Summer: Late May - Early July

Application Deadline(s)

Summer 2025 - [Psychology] 3/7/2025 Cost Details
Summer 2025 - [Music History & Performance] 3/7/2025 Cost Details
Summer 2026 - [Music History & Performance] 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Fall 2026-27 - [European Society & Culture OR Psychology & Social Sciences OR Music] 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2026 - [Psychology] 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 - [European Society, Politics & Culture OR Psychology & Social Sciences OR Music] 9/18/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

Semester Program
Select an IES Vienna academic track to focus your semester studies. For specific details on courses, syllabi, and academic structure of the program, visit the IES pages:
European Society, Politics and Culture
Psychology & Social Sciences
Music

If you have taken fewer than two years of college-level German or the equivalent, you enroll in English-taught IES Abroad courses. If you have advanced-level German language proficiency, you may enroll in a combination of German- and English taught courses or all German-taught IES Abroad courses. All students are required to take a German language course as part of their semester program.

Regardless of track selection, the course options generally remain the same for all IES Vienna programs. There are some upper-level Music courses only open to students on the Music track.

There is the option of doing an internship for credit on this program.

Summer
Summer students can choose between enrolling in 2 or 3 courses; the program fee depends on how many courses you plan to enroll in. For specific details on the courses, syllabi, and academic structure of the program, visit the IES pages:
Music History & Performance - Summer
Psychology - Summer

German language courses are available during the summer but not required.

Below you will find the course equivalents listing for the program.

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents