International • Intercultural • Interdisciplinary

univie: summer school

European Studies
Austrian Arbitration Academy & German Language Courses in an intercultural environment

July 12 – August 9, 2025

Strobl, Lake Wolfgang – Austria

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ever since the University of Vienna Sommerhochschule (SHS) was established in 1949, an international summer school has been offered every year. Apart from its educational mission, one of the summer program’s most important aims has been restoring and promoting mutual understanding between Austrians and Americans that World War II had done so much to destroy.

Today the program provides a multidimensional survey of the present development of Europe and the European Union (EU). Participants will study both the decisionmaking processes within the EU institutions as well as various aspects of European political culture. The program aims at contributing to an increased understanding of the EU and ist possible future shape.

Students from all over the world have been drawn to the program, not only because of the outstanding academic reputation of its European Studies courses and the excellent opportunities it offers students to learn German, but also because of its location directly on the shores of one of Austria’s most scenic lakes, Lake Wolfgang, in the Salzkammergut region, and because of the area’s excellent sports and recreational facilities.

The intercultural dimension provided by the summer program’s internationally diverse student population has become one of the most rewarding features of students’ learning experience. Today, more than 30 different nationalities are represented in the Student body, up to 100 students accepted into the program, creating the conditions most conducive to intercultural and social interaction.

The Sommerhochschule operates under the academic and administrative supervision of the Rector of the University of Vienna. The organizers, faculty and sponsors believe that the Sommerhochschule’s formula
of holistic learning – intellectual pursuit and physical exercise in a setting of intercultural and social exchange – helps reinforce mutual respect and tolerance among participants.

We would like to invite you to study at the University of Vienna’s summer campus in Strobl and, like thousands have done before you, experience an unforgettable summer.

Academic Program

The univie: summer school is located in the picturesque village of Strobl in the Salzkammergut
region, one of Austria’s most attractive summer vacation areas. Students and faculty are accommodated
in high standard single and double rooms at the program’s beautiful summer campus on the
shore of Lake Wolfgang (accommodation

The four week program offers high level European Studies courses and the Austrian Arbitration Academy in
the morning and German language courses in the afternoon. The European Studies courses are
held in English and focus on Europe and the European Union. They cover political, economic and legal,
but also historical and cultural aspects of the multiple transformations the continent is currently
undergoing.

The Austrian Arbitration Academy focuses on international dispute settlement by arbitral tribunals.

The program offers a concise and up to date introduction to recent developments in Europe which will provide students from different fields of study with additional key qualifications for their future professional work.
The academic courses are taught by distinguished scholars with international teaching experience. The faculty consists of tenured professors from the University of Vienna as well as professors from other renowned
universities and leading experts from institutions such as the Austrian Central Bank and the European Commission

In addition to the academic program, German language courses are offered at four different levels of proficiency The unique Strobl experience is enhanced by an extensive extracurricular programincluding sports
courses (windsurfing and tennis), mountain hiking, and excursions to Salzburg, St. Wolfgang, and the Ebensee Concentration Camp Memorial.

The campus life creates an environment which 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. The alumni network of former Sommerhochschule participants enables students to stay in touch even long after their stay in Strobl.

Course Selection

The univie: summer school lasts four weeks and consists of two two-week sessions.

Course Selection
The univie: summer school lasts four weeks and consists of two two-week sessions.

13 European Studies courses, the Arbitration Academy course, and German Languages courses on four levels are offered.
• European Studies courses last two weeks (4 ECTS each).
• The Arbitration Academy course lasts two weeks (8 ECTS).
• German language courses last four weeks (6 ECTS each).
In the course of the four week program students are required to attend courses amounting to 10 ECTS credits. In order to meet this requirement one of the following options is possible:
1. three European Studies courses
or
2. the Arbitration Academy course plus one European Studies course
or
3. one German course plus one European Studies course.

Students may also enroll in or Audit additional courses. The Maximum number of courses students may attend during the summer program is four. (This includes German courses and/or courses taken for audit).

The Austrian Arbitration Academy lasts two weeks and can also be attended as an independent program.

Before making their course selection on the application form students should make sure that the selected courses do not correlate in time.
While students have to fulfill the Sommerhochschule requirements, course selection should also be made according to the requirements of the respective home university. It is recommended to discuss course selections
with representatives of the home universities to ensure or simplify accreditation after the program.

Innovationszentrum Universität Wien GmbH
Sommerhochschule
Campus of the University of Vienna
Alser Strasse 4, Hof 1, Tuer 1.16
1090 Vienna, Austria

Phone: +43-1-4277-24131
E-mail: sommerhochschule@univie.ac.at

Contact:
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Franz-Stefan Meissel, Director
Mag. Verena Bauer, Program Coordinator
Lauren Wagner, BA, Program Coordinator