Studying safely

The University is a large community. Students, academics and admin-istrative staff meet on site and digitally. The following website provides tips and information and the most important contact points for working and studying successfully together.

 Studying safely - an overview


Graphic for the emergency message service

Emergency text message for students

The emergency text message service notifies you directly via text message in case of a sudden emergency (such as a major fire) at a location of the University of Vienna. It thus helps ensure safe university operations.

How does it work?

Students can register for the emergency text message service on a voluntary basis with their private phone number on u:space. You can deregister from the service at any time.

Further information such as about data protection is available on u:space and in the Data Protection Declaration of the University of Vienna.

Studying safely on-site.

The buildings of the University of Vienna are subject to rules, such as the House Rules or the Laboratory and Workshop Regulations in laboratories. For your own and other people’s safety, information about the procedure in case of fire or accidents is available.


Studying safely online.

Students spend a lot of time in the digital realm, for example, to participate in courses, to research literature at the library or to interact with fellow students. The following information aims to contribute to your safety online.


Working and studying safely together.

Participating, asking questions, considering issues from different perspectives and interacting with others are central aspects of studying, but can also lead to conflict. You can contact the following organisational units to seek help for yourself or for all conflict parties, or to establish a network that can help you in case of problems.


Safely navigating the legal basics.

To safely navigate through your studies, it is important to know the legal framework conditions for your own and other people’s actions. The following links provide basic information about studying in accordance with legal regulations.


The following rules apply at the University of Vienna:

Icon: No smoking.

No smoking.

Icon: The only thing that is smoking here are our brains. (smoking head)

The only thing that is smoking here are our brains.

Icon: It is prohibited to handle flames or flammable liquids. (crossed out flame)

It is prohibited to handle flames or flammable liquids.

Icon: Drinking enough water will keep you fit and alert. (coffee mug and drinking bottle)

Drinking enough water will keep you fit and alert.

Icon: Access restrictions: stay away from the marked hazard zones. (crossed out open hand)

Access restrictions: stay away from the marked hazard zones.

Icon zu: Nutzen Sie die Lernzonen & Student Spaces. (Lesende Person)

Icon: Use the University’s study spaces and Student Spaces. (student while reading)

Use the University’s study spaces and Student Spaces.

Icon: Animals are not allowed inside. Exceptions apply to guide, assistance and other service dogs. (crossed out sitting dog)

Animals are not allowed inside. Exceptions apply to guide, assistance and other service dogs.

Icon: You can bring along your lucky charm. (shamrock)

You can bring along your lucky charm.

Icon: Be quiet. (crossed out loudspeaker with sound waves)

Be quiet.

Icon: Science-based, respectful and appreciative discussions are expressly wanted. (two speech bubbles)

Science-based, respectful and appreciative discussions are expressly wanted.

Icon: Sports equipment may not be used inside the buildings. (crossed out person riding on a scooter)

Sports equipment may not be used inside the buildings.

Icon: Please train your mind as much as you want here. (working brain)

Please train your mind as much as you want here.

Icon: It is prohibited to wear, carry or bring weapons of any kind to the University. (crossed pistol)

It is prohibited to wear, carry or bring weapons of any kind to the University.

Icon: A razor-sharp mind is the only weapon allowed. (brain)

A razor-sharp mind is the only weapon allowed.


Not sure where to turn for help?

In addition to the security management team and the porters, you can also contact the StudiesServiceCenters (SSC)/StudiesServiceUnits (SSS), your teachers and the employees of the different organisational units in case of incidents.