Following the First World War, the Imperial Export Academy became the Hochschule für Welthandel (World Trade University), offering a three-year degree program. It was renamed Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration) in 1975. In 1983, foreign language studies were added to WU’s programs, as well as required IT studies. Between 1981 and 1987, WU grew from 8,000 to 16,000 students. WU has produced thousands of graduates who have excelled in the business world in Austria and abroad. New degree programs and revised course regulations have led to the university’s growth of 20,000 students, with more than 1,000 full-time faculty and staff members.

WU enjoys close cooperation with the business world. The Financial Times of the UK ranked the university among Europe’s ‘Top 50 Business Schools’. The university boasts some 200 partner universities and institutions worldwide, as well as expertise in many fields of study. WU’s wide range of courses have helped it to be a renowned centre of knowledge in many key fields of business and economics. It also features approximately 700 places for exchange students per year. Half of its graduates have international experience. Exchange students, from partner universities, can receive support from the International Studies Center. WU also provides such international summer programs as the Vienna International Summer University, Erste Bank Summer University Danubia, Alpen-Adria, the International Summer University South Eastern Europe, Constanta Summer University and Kiev Summer University.

WU will relocate all its departments to the 88,000-sq m campus located near the exhibition grounds in Vienna’s 2nd district, which will boost urban development of the region.