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Unit 6: Structure Your Studies

Because winging it isn’t a strategy.

✨ Start smart or start over​

At WU, there are two types of students:
The ones who know the game plan and cruise through their Bachelor, and the ones who figure it out too late and get stuck in semester purgatory.

This unit gives you the roadmap: how to move from STEOP → CBK → your Studienzweig (study branch) without detours, wasted semesters, or unnecessary stress.

The earlier you get this right, the more freedom you’ll have later.

🏁 Stage 1: STEOP – your launchpad​

The STEOP (Studieneingangs- und Orientierungsphase) is your first checkpoint at WU.

🎯 Goal: Finish it in your first semester, and with solid grades.

Why?

  • Two courses carry 6 ECTS each → they pack serious GPA weight.
  • Strong STEOP grades = less stress later (but don’t panic if it takes a bit longer. You can bounce back.)

📊 Stage 2: CBK – your core training​

The CBK includes all mandatory courses every WU student has to complete. Think Math, Business Law (WPR), Statistics, JUB, and more.

💡 Fastlane tip: Tackle the tough ones early (Math, WPR, Statistics, JUB). Why?

✅ They’re prerequisites for many specializations.
✅ WU Top League and other programs consider them too.
✅ Your schedule is still chill in semester 2–3 → use that window.

📌 TL;DR: Clearing these early = way more flexibility later.

🎯 You can start your Studienzweig (study branch) after completing 20 ECTS of your CBK.

🎯 Stage 3: Your Studienzweig (+ specializations & going abroad)​

By semester 3, it’s decision time. You’ll pick one of these five Studienzweige:

  • BWL (Business Administration): The classic choice (~50%*)
  • IBWL (International Business): BWL + a second language (~30%*)
  • VWL (Economics): For theory lovers (~10%*)
  • WINF (Business & IT): Business meets tech (~7%*)
  • WUPOL (Business & Politics): New kid on the block (~3%*)

🔥 Can you switch later? Technically yes (once). But we don’t recommend it unless absolutely necessary – you’ll lose progress and maybe a few sanity points.

📦 About specializations (SBWLs)​

Once you’re in your Studienzweig, you’ll get access to specializations – in BWL and IBWL they’re called SBWLs. These are like mini-majors where you focus on a specific area (marketing, finance, supply chain…).

💡 Fastlane tip: Start looking into them right after your 2nd semester:
✅ Some require entrance exams
✅ Others have GPA cut-offs or strict deadlines
✅ The popular ones fill up fast

Most students start their first specialization in semester 3 or 4. Waiting longer = fewer options.

✈️ About the exchange semester​

At WU, an exchange semester isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s a game changer for your CV, your network, and your mindset (we already broke down why in Unit 4: Your Career Gameplan).

💡 Timing: Most students go abroad in semester 4 or 5.
📝 Applications: Plan at least 1 year in advance.

⚡ For IBWL students it’s mandatory – unless you opt for an international internship or WU’s Short Programs.

🖱️ Course registrations – the WU Hunger Games​

Here’s the ugly truth: Getting into courses at WU can feel like a mini Hunger Games. Spots are limited, demand is high, and the system isn’t exactly stress-free.

🛠️ Tools to help​

  • ÖH Kursplaner: Build smarter schedules.
  • ÖH ProfCheck: Stalk your lecturers before committing.

🚀 We’ll dive deeper into these tools in our second course. Stay tuned.

🏃‍♀️ The registration game​

Here’s how to survive:

  1. Lock down a fixed PC on LC’s 4th floor – fast, stable, no Wi-Fi drama.
  2. Open LPIS a few minutes before registration starts.
  3. Open the atomic clock on a separate device (yes, seriously): Atomuhr
  4. At XX:59 reload once.
  5. Spam-click “anmelden” as if your life depends on it.

🎯 Reality check: Even then, there’s a luck factor. Always have a Plan B (and maybe a Plan C).

😅 Pro tip: Don’t trust every cafeteria hack. We’ve registered from ski slopes and cars, but not reliably from the library Wi‑Fi...

And one last note: If you don’t get into a key STEOP or CBK course, email the prof. Many will add you if you ask nicely.

🧪 Micro-Challenge: Prepare your first semester like a pro​

✅ Draft a rough timeline (STEOP → gateway courses → electives)
✅ Play with ÖH Kursplaner to test schedules
✅ Save the atomic clock link for your first registration – seriously, don't skip this.

* About those percentages...

The official numbers aren’t published. These are educated estimates based on past years and Fastlane’s experience. Treat them as approximations, not official statistics. 📊