Modul University Vienna (MU Vienna) is a private university established in 2007 in Vienna, Austria, that focuses on social and economic development. In particular, it focuses on the areas of tourism, new media information technology, sustainability, business management, and public governance.
MU Vienna was founded by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Saudi-Austrian businessman Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber, and built with the support of the City of Vienna and the Vienna Tourist Board. The founders aimed to offer students internationally-oriented, hands-on studies in the areas of tourism research, information technology, and public administration by making use of the active role of Vienna in European city tourism. Karl Wöber, who had previously taught at the Vienna University of Economics and Business in the field of tourism, was appointed founding president.
The university was conceived and named Modul University Vienna by employees of the Modul Tourism College, a tertiary education school for hotel management and gastronomy also founded by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1908.
The name Modul comes from the honeycomb structure of the Modul Tourism College, in which both the school and the adjacent hotel of the same name consist of octagonal, connected modules. The school and hotel are located in the 19th district (Döbling) and were designed and built between 1973 and 1975. Attending the Modul Tourism College is not a prerequisite for admission to MU Vienna.
In 2012, the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry assumed sole ownership of MU Vienna. Within the first ten years, the university accredited three bachelor's degrees and four master's programs, and in 2012, a PhD program was also accredited.
Since January 2013, MU Vienna has been a member of the European Universities Consortium (EUC), a group of higher education institutions that promotes English-taught bachelor's programs in Europe. MU Vienna has both an international focus on teaching and research and is internationally located campuses. Study programs have been offered in Vienna, and in Nanjing (PR China) since 2017.
MU Vienna bases its research priorities on the principles of sustainability, economics, and innovation. The foreground maintains the overriding goal of creating benefits for society.The scientific disciplines represented at MU Vienna are guided by these principles, which are also included as integral components in the universityâÂÂs study programs.
The university offers an integrated academic education, âÂÂan interweaving of decision-making competencies, based on a combination of methodical problem-solving and social learningâÂÂ. The inclusionand promotion of the following educational values was decided by the University Senate on 16 January 2012:
These values are displayed on the façade of the university building in the worldâÂÂs 12 most frequently spoken languages.
In 2015, MU Vienna founded Modul University Technology GmbH, a research and development spin-off with focus on multimedia applications, interactive TV, and automated knowledge extraction processes.
In 2020, the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry sold 90 per cent of its shares in MU Vienna to the British entrepreneur Suresh Sivagnanam (*1970), founder of doc, an online medical advice and care platform.
The Austrian Accreditation Council accredited MU Vienna on July 39, 2007, and the university started operating in SeptemberâÂÂNovember 2007. In 2014, the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria reaccredited MU Vienna. The Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria was founded on March 1, 2011, based on the University Quality Assurance Act (HS-QSG) as part of a fundamental redesign of AustriaâÂÂs system of external quality assurance.
Since 2012, MU ViennaâÂÂs tourism study programs have been certified under the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)âÂÂs TedQual scheme.
Sustainability is an essential component of MU ViennaâÂÂs educational content and research agenda.àThe university has also implemented several measures in its day-to-day operations to minimize impacts on the environment. These include a solar energy system, a pellet heating system, and a waste management system, as well as measures to promote a sustainable way of thinking and living among its students and staff. A Sustainability Committee, appointed by the University Senate, aims to promote sustainability by communicating regularly with students, staff, suppliers, and partners about its goals and activities .
As laid down in the University's Constitution, Modul University is governed by three main bodies: The University Council, The University Senate and the University Board. The university is managed by a collegial body consisting of the rector, the vice-rector, and the managing director. The University Council is the strategic steering body of Modul University Vienna and consists of four representatives of the owners, two representatives of the industry, and two representatives of other universities.ÃÂ The University Senate consists of 20 members and facilitates the academic self-governance of MUV. ÃÂ The University is managed by the University Board, consisting of the President, the Executive Vice-President, and the University Director.
Modul University Vienna consists of five scientific departments (schools) and two research institutes:
The Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS) is a research institute at Modul University Vienna, established in 2024 by Professor Dr. Zoltan Acs. It operates as an independent center with research areas including entrepreneurial ecosystems, international relations and geopolitics, and well-being and health. In addition to academic research, the institute recently introduced the Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (DEE) Index and published the first report focusing on the Danube Region.
Modul University Vienna offers Foundation, BA, BBA, BSc, CE, MSc, MBA, and PhD study programs in the fields of business, data science, tourism, international relations and sustainability. All study programs are offered exclusively in English. In addition to the core subjects, specializations and elective subjects provide the opportunity to specialize in different areas of expertise. The range of offered courses includes the following study programs:
Foundation Programs
Bachelor Programs
Both Bachelor of Science in International Management programs offer the following specializations: Entrepreneurship and Leadership, International Marketing, and International Management.
The Bachelor of Business Administration offers the following specializations: Tourism and Event Management, and Hotel Management.
Master Programs
All Master of Science programs offer the following specializations: Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Leadership, Innovation and Experience Design for Tourism, Real Estate Management, Sustainable Management and Policy, and Tourism and Services Management.
The Master of Business Administration offers the following specializations: Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Leadership, Innovation and Experience Design for Tourism, Real Estate Management, and Sustainable Management and Policy.
PHD Programs
<u>At the Nanjing campus:</u>
All study programs are offered exclusively in English. Modul University Vienna maintains exchange programs for its students with 21 partner universities worldwide.
Modul University Vienna is characterized by a high level of commitment to basic and applied research. The research topics are in the fields of economics, social sciences, and information science and deal with both current and future-oriented research questions. The research-led teaching approach of Modul University Vienna is reflected in the discussion of current research projects in teaching and the active involvement of students in research projects. In addition, Modul University Vienna is dedicated to supporting young researchers, especially since the accreditation of the doctoral program in business and socioeconomic sciences in 2012. From 2007 to 2017, the Modul University Vienna faculty has published 670 scientific articles and 600 conference contributions, as well as completed 68 national and international research projects.
In 2015, Modul University Vienna founded Modul University Technology GmbH, an R&D spin-off with a research focus on multimedia applications, interactive TV, and automated knowledge extraction processes.
Research focus of the faculty: ÃÂ
The university has repeatedly been recognized for its research achievements and its focus on sustainability. In 2018 and 2020, Modul University Vienna was ranked among the top 25 universities in the world in the U-Multirank University Ranking in the category "most frequently cited publications".ÃÂ In 2012, Modul University Vienna received the Austrian National Award for Sustainability for its project "Promotion of Sustainable Stakeholder Initiatives" in the field of structural anchoring.ÃÂ In 2016, Modul University Vienna followed up with two awards for its work in the field of education on sustainability: second place for the project "SusToGo - Sustainability to go" in the category "Student Initiatives" and for the project "DecarboNet" in the category "Communication and Decision Making".
MU Vienna maintains several co-operations with academic and industry partners, as well as organizations around the world. Modul University Vienna maintains study exchange agreements with the following partner institutions:
Asia
BoÃÂaziçi University (Turkey), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong SAR), Taylor's University (Malaysia), City University of Macau (Macau SAR)
Modul University is the first international partner of AdmitAll, a Philippine-based education technology company.
Europe
Dublin Institute of Technology (Ireland), NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences (The Netherlands), University of Southern Denmark (Denmark), University of Surrey (UK), La Rochelle Business School (France), Ramon Llull University (Spain), Cologne Business School (Germany), University of Barcelona (Spain), University of West London (UK), University of Surrey (UK), ISAG â European Business School (Portugal).
North and South America
San Francisco State University (USA), Temple University (USA), Virginia Tech (USA), Universidad Anáhuac Mayab (Mexico), University of Central Florida (USA), University of Florida (USA), UIDE Universidad Internacional del Ecuador (Ecuador)
Modul University Vienna is situated on Kahlenberg, a mountain () located in the 19th district of Vienna, Austria (Döbling). Kahlenberg lies in the Wienerwald (Vienna forest) and is one of the most popular destinations for day trips from Vienna, offering a view over the entire city. Student accommodation arranged by MU Vienna is available in the 19th and 20th districts of Vienna. Many students live in other parts of Vienna or their home cities and countries and commute to the campus. Kahlenberg can be reached by car or by bus (Bus line 38A) via the HöhenstraÃÂe, part of which is cobblestone.
By the fundamental educational values of the university, Modul University Vienna has created the MU Cares Intercultural Certificate Program to encourage students to work for society alongside their studies.ÃÂ The university offers students the opportunity to participate in charitable and social events at the university or on their initiative off campus. It encourages and supports its students in their search for intercultural experience and social work. Upon completion of their studies at Modul University Vienna, students who can demonstrate extracurricular activities in line with MU Care's vision receive a certificate from the university as a supplement to their diploma. In addition to this program, various student groups such as the Hotel Club, the Football Club, the Entrepreneurs Club, or the Movie Club contribute to student life.ÃÂ Every year, the university organizes an International Day, a public event at the university where students present their countries and their cultural background. The net proceeds of this event are donated to a charitable cause. ÃÂ
Modul University Vienna provides academic services, mentoring services, a buddy program, a peer tutoring program, career services, and professional counseling.
Career support is a joint effort between many departments. Students can benefit from tailored guidance on CV and motivation letter writing, one-on-one career advisory sessions, and access to internship opportunities at MUâÂÂs corporate partners.
The Buddy Program is a volunteer initiative designed to support the onboarding & integration of newly admitted international and exchange students into university life and the city of Vienna. The program pairs new students with current MU students ("buddies") who provide guidance and support during the initial months of adjustment. Participants form friendships, develop cross-cultural understanding, and take part in dedicated events aimed at strengthening student networks.
At Modul University Vienna supports a variety of student-led clubs and organizations. These clubs provide opportunities for students to pursue personal interests, develop new skills, and engage with peers outside of their academic programs. A list of all current active clubs can be found on the MU website.
MU Provides student visa application and housing support services. Students can choose from a variety of housing providers located throughout the city, catering to all budgets and needs.