University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

The University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna is the only academic educational and research institution in Austria that focuses on the veterinary sciences, and at the same time the oldest such institution in the German-speaking world founded 1765 by the Empress Maria Theresia.

In accordance with § 20 of the 2002 Universities Act, the highest organs of a university are the University Council, the Rectorate, the Rector and the Senate.

The Rectorate is responsible for the day to day management of the university and for representing it to third parties. The Rector is both the head as well as the speaker of the Rector's office.

The responsibilities of the University Council are similar to those of the advisory board of a corporation. It thus represents a controlling body.

The Senate is the highest ranking body in which university professors, lecturers, scientific staff, members of the general university staff and also students are represented.

Based on the Organisation Plan of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna the areas of specialisation of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna are divided into five departments and one interdisciplinary institution.

The heads of the departments are referred to as department's spokespersons and are appointed in accordance with the Universities Act 2002 § 20. Heads of interdisciplinary institutions are appointed in the same manner.

The Association of University Teachers, ULV, representatives of non-professorial teachers, at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna represents academic, social and cultural interests of its members and actively participates in all university related affairs.

The Diploma Programme in Veterinary Medicine provides the scientific and practical education for the veterinary profession in all its disciplines. The programme is designed to convey well-founded fundamental knowledge in all fields of veterinary medicine and facilitate competence and problem-solving capacity by means of practice-oriented instruction.

The Bachelor's Programme in Equine Sciences serves to impart comprehensive fundamental knowledge about theoretical and practical aspects of the equine industry, stud management and horse breeding as well as equestrian sport and all related duties in health care and business management. In addition to conveying basic knowledge, which will remain invaluable for a long time in a professional context, this also serves as an opportunity to learn, practice and implement knowledge and skills using real-life scenarios.

The purpose of this university course is to impart the ability to provide the conditions for responsible handling and taking care of animals used in scientific experiments at a high level. It serves to train students and postgraduates who will be conducting animal experiments in their professional roles.

The university course "Applied Cynology" is designed to train academically certified specialists who work in a responsible manner in line with animal welfare standards in the canine industry and in dog sports.

The University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna offers postgraduate training in the form of Internship Programmes and Residency Programmes for graduates of Veterinary Medicine.

The one-year Internship Programmes were designed to provide young veterinarians with the possibility of enhancing the basic knowledge and skills acquired during their studies, as well as to integrate them into clinical activities.

In addition to applied and clinical research, the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna conducts excellent basic research in veterinary medicine. Teaching and research activities are closely linked to ensure the principle of research-based teaching.

The special research program abbreviated as SFB "Jak-Stat Signalling From Basics to Disease" is a research platform funded by the Austrian Science Fund. It combines the research activities of three universities and two institutes in basic research: The University of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Research Institute of Molecular Pathology and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research.