Extension curricula and alternative extensions

In most Bachelor’s degree programmes, it is possible to complete alternative extensions totalling 15 ECTS credits instead of an extension curriculum. As part of these alternative extensions, you choose your own courses, examinations or other recognised achievements. There is no prescribed curriculum that you are required to follow.

Which credits can be recognised?

Courses and examinations from the following:

1. Your own degree programme at the University of Vienna, provided you meet the enrolment requirements and places are available.
2. Other degree programmes at the University of Vienna, provided you meet the enrolment requirements and places are available.
3. Other degree programmes at other recognised domestic post-secondary educational institutions.
4. recognised non-Austrian post-secondary educational institutions as part of mobility programmes (with prior approval or via the Circle U. Open Campus).

Other options:

• Courses, examinations and certificates from post-secondary educational institutions, as proof of foreign language proficiency.
• ÖH (Austrian National Union of Students) activities in accordance with the Higher Education Act, whereby one hour per week per semester is converted into 2 ECTS credits.

How does it work?

• If you wish to complete courses or examinations at the University of Vienna as part of an AE, select the option “Alternative Extensions” when registering in u:space.
• For the recognition of other achievements, please contact your StudiesServiceCenter or StudiesServiceUnit.

Please also note any alternative arrangements for EC credits in the curriculum of your bachelor's programme.

Detailed information on alternative extensions in German (PDF)

In principle, all ECs are open to you once you have completed the introductory and orientation period (STEOP). However, there are restrictions on some of them:

• ECs in the same subject area: You cannot choose an EC whose content is already part of the compulsory or elective modules of your bachelor's programme.
  • Example: Students on the bachelor's programme in African Studies cannot choose the EC ‘Africa: History and Literatures’.
• Sequential ECs: Some ECs build on one another. You decide for yourself whether to complete only the first EC or also one or more of the ECs that build on it.
  • Example: You can only choose the EC ‘Basic Chinese II’ if you have previously successfully completed the EC ‘Basic Chinese I’.
• Other restrictions on participation: For some ECs, for example, the number of places per semester or academic year is limited.
  • Example: The EC ‘Understanding and Shaping Digitalisation’ begins with a lecture and exercise (VU) with a maximum of 200 participants.

For further information, select an EC from the ‘All Extension Curricula’ overview. In each EC profile, under ‘The EC in a nutshell’, you will find details of the restrictions that apply.

Some master's programmes require specific prior subject knowledge. By earning the relevant EC credits, you can fulfil the admission requirements whilst still on your bachelor's programme. This means you won’t have to make up for any gaps in your subject knowledge later on by sitting additional supplementary examinations.

Check the relevant EC profile to find out which EC you can use as a pathway to admission to a master's programme. To do this, use our overview of all ECs. You can find the admission requirements for your chosen master's programme in the relevant Master Access Guide.