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Unit 1: Necessary Vocabulary

You’ve made it to WU.

You’re walking through the spaceship-like LC building, holding your fresh student ID, slightly overwhelmed but excited.
You see signs like “LVP Anmeldung nur über LPIS” and people talking about “ECTS,” “VUEs” or “deciding on SBWLs.”

You nod and smile.

But deep down?

You have no idea what any of it means.

Let’s fix that.

Because understanding the WU language early makes your entire first semester smoother. Less confusion, less stress, and no awkward questions mid-registration.

🧾 Course Types – What Kind of Classes Are There?​

📘 LVP – Lehrveranstaltung mit Vorlesungscharakter​

Lecture-style class. One big exam. That's it.

  • No attendance tracking
  • Usually big, auditorium-style lectures
  • Exam-based grading (often 1 test at the end)
  • Great for flexible studying, but easy to fall behind

🧠 Good to know: Some LVPs have optional “Übungen” (practice sessions) that help you prepare. Show up. They can save your grade. (e.g., BWL STEOP exam prep sessions)

🧪 PI – Lehrveranstaltung mit immanentem Prüfungscharakter​

Continuous assessment course (workload throughout the semester)

  • Attendance required
  • Grading based on several components: group work, quizzes, participation, presentations, final project/exam
  • Strict registration deadlines — you can’t just show up mid-semester

📌 You must register on time, and you often need to prioritize this course with LPIS.

🔁 VUE – Vorlesungsübung​

Hybrid between lecture and exercise

  • Includes lectures + applied tasks
  • Can be graded like a PI or just include practice sessions alongside the final exam
  • Sometimes attendance is required, sometimes not — always check the course info

🚨 Heads up: WU’s LV-types aren’t perfectly consistent. Some “VUEs” act like PIs, some like LVPs. Treat the type as a hint, not gospel.

🎯 Course Registration System: What’s LPIS?​

LPIS = Lehrveranstaltungs- und Prüfungsinformationssystem

This is the platform where you register for:

  • Lectures
  • Exams
  • PIs and VUEs

You’ll get familiar with it quickly — but getting there can be a bit confusing at first, so here’s your shortcut:

👉 lpis.wu.ac.at ← Bookmark this now.

🧠 Key Student Vocab You’ll Hear All the Time​

📦 ECTS​

ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System

It’s the official way universities measure workload across Europe, ensuring consistency whether you’re studying in Vienna, Paris, or Helsinki.

Each course is worth a certain number of ECTS credits.

1 ECTS ≈ 25–30 hours of work (includes lectures, self-study, group work, projects, and exams).

At WU:

  • Your entire Bachelor’s degree = 180 ECTS
  • To stay on track: aim for 30 ECTS per semester

💬 You’ll hear stuff like “I still need 6 ECTS this semester” or “That VUE JUB is 8 ECTS, it’s intense.”

⚡ But here’s the catch: Not all courses are created equal. Some feel “light” for the ECTS they offer, others feel like a full-time job.

✅ Pro Tips for ECTS Management:

  • Balance high-ECTS workload (like a rough 4 ECTS VUE) with lighter LVPs or electives.

🔢 Matrikelnummer​

Your student ID number. Used for:

  • Exams
  • Submitting papers
  • Some login portals

💡 Tip: Save it in your notes or memorize it – you’ll use it a lot.

🎓 Student Ranking​

At WU, Student Ranking measures your performance relative to other students.

It’s not a public leaderboard, but it matters for:

  • Scholarships
  • Exchange programs
  • High-demand courses

💡 Instead of just GPA, Student Ranking gives context:

  • GPA 1.8 = good
  • If the cohort average is 2.0 → you’re above average
  • Top 10% = better grades than 90% of peers

📊 WU uses 3 ranking types:

  • GPA Ranking: grades only
  • Study Progress Ranking: how fast you study
  • Combination Ranking: GPA + progress

You can see your ranking after completing 42 ECTS.

🏛️ TC – Teaching Center​

TC = Teaching Center
🎓 The main building for lectures and tutorials.

📍 What you need to know:

  • Location: Central campus, near U2 Krieau exit
  • Classrooms: Most of your early-semester LVPs, PIs, and VUEs happen here
  • Lecture Halls: Includes the Audimax (largest hall) and smaller seminar rooms
  • Room Codes: Example: TC.3.01 means
    • TC = Teaching Center
    • 3 = 3rd floor
    • 01 = Room number

🧭 Pro Tip: Arrive 5–10 min early in your first weeks – room hunting is a mini adventure.

🧠 LC – Library & Learning Center​

LC = Library & Learning Center
📚 Your new study sanctuary.

📍 Why it’s important:

  • Design: Zaha Hadid’s spaceship masterpiece
  • Study Zones:
    • Quiet zones 🤫
    • Group workspaces 👥
    • Open seating & reservable booths 📖
  • Library Access: Major textbooks, course reserves, online databases
  • Coffee & Food: Lia Coffee + Mensa nearby = perfect for long study days
  • Lockers: Most lockers are in the LC

🧭 How to use it:

  • Reserve learning booths during exam season (via WU system)
  • Explore the 6th floor: one of the quietest, most productive spots
  • Use your student ID to check out books and access areas