An Historical Tour of the University of Vienna

Duke Rudolph IV von Habsburg, with his brothers Albrecht III and Leopold III, signs the foundation document of the University of Vienna on 12th March 1365.

Pope Urban V confirms the foundation, with the exception of the Theological Faculty, 18th June 1365.

The City of Vienna vows to support the university, 12th April 1365.

Members of the university divided into four "Academic Nations".

First endowment: income from the Parish of Laa an der Thaya.

Duke Albrecht III reforms and extends the university:
Foundation of the Theological Faculty
Foundation of the "Collegium Ducale".

Opening of the first building of the University of Vienna, the Collegium Ducale (where Postgasse 7-9 are today), and the Collegium Iuristarum (Lawyers' School, in Schulerstraße 14).

Autonomous resolution of University Statutes.

Council of Basle - Thomas Ebendorfer participates.

1445

First Promotio sub auspiciis imperatoris held under Leopold I in Vienna.

Introduction of clinical training in the Medical Faculty.

Foundation of the Botanical Garden.

Opening of the new "Great Hall" by Maria Theresia (since 1857 Academy of Sciences).

Removal of the old University Library to the Imperial Court Library.

Abolition of the special academic jurisdiction.

Introduction of German as language of instruction.

Opening of the General Hospital (Establishment of Clinics).

Opening of an Anatomical Theatre in the new "Great Hall".

Abolition of academic dress (until 1927).

Vienna Revolution led by doctoral graduates and students (Academic Legion).
Winning of academic freedoms.

Foundation of the Ministry of Education.

Study reform under Minister Count Leo Thun-Hohenstein:
Union of research and teaching; Principle of Freedom to Teach and Learn.
Removal of the Academic Nations from the university corporation.
Establishment of Collegia doctorum (for doctores non legentes) and Collegia professorum in every faculty.
Upgrading of the Philosophical Faculty.
Grammar School reform: 8 year study leading to Matura.

Completion of the first building of the Department of Chemistry (Architect, Heinrich von Ferstel).

Opening of the "Centre for Meteorology and Terrestrial Magnetism" (Hohe Warte 38).

University Organisational Law:
Abolition of the Collegia doctorum.
Academic Senate replaces Consistory.
Jurisdiction of the University Chancellor and of the Theological Faculty restricted.
Election to academic honours irrespective of denomination.

Admission of women to lectures.

Opening of the Observatory (Türkenschanzstraße 17).

Opening of the new main building on the Ring (Architect Heinrich von Ferstel).

Admission of women as full students at the Philosophical Faculty (1900 in the Faculty of Medicine, 1919 Faculty of Law, 1922 Protestant Theological Faculty, 1945 Catholic Theological Faculty).

Building of the Department of Physics (Boltzmanngasse 5-7)

Incorporation of the Protestant Theological Faculty (founded in 1821 as a Protestant teacher training institution, faculty status from 1850, doctoral degrees from 1861).

Foundation of Wiener Internationalen Hochschulkurse (Vienna International Academy).

The National Socialist seizure of power is followed by the expulsion and deportation of Jews and political opponents from both the teaching and student bodies. 45% of all professors and readers are dismissed.

Professors take the oath of allegiance to the Führer on 22nd March.

Destruction of the offices of the Dean of the Faculty of Law (21st February).
Main building receives 26 direct hits by bombs.

April: the Red Army conquers Vienna.
Denazification of the teaching body takes several years.

University reopened on 29th May 1945

Foundation of the Austrian Students Association.

Foundation of the Wiener Hochschulzeitung (Vienna University Newspaper), subsequently Österreichische Hochschulzeitung (Austrian University Newspaper).

Foundation of "Summer School of the University of Vienna".

Reconstruction of main building and return of library stock completed.

University Organisational Law: eight faculties (Catholic Theology, Protestant Theology, Social and Economic Science, Medicine, Foundation and Integrated Studies, Humanities, Formal and Natural Science).

Partnership Agreement with the Eötvös-Lorand-University, Budapest.

Opening of the University Archives in the "Old University".

Publicity drive: "The University goes to the suburbs".

Opening of the Biological Centre in Althanstraße.

Publicity drive: "Viennese Universities come to Lower Austria".

600th Anniversary of the Catholic Theological Faculty.

100th Anniversity of the Main Building on the Ring (Jubilee Exhibition).

Faculty of Law moves to the Juridicum building.

Partnership Agreement with the Humboldt University in Berlin.

Exhibition to celebrate 600 years of the Old University Quarter, held in the University Archive.

Partnership Agreement with the Institute of European Studies in Chicago.

Partnership Agreements with Economic and Semmelweis Universities in Budapest, with the University of California, and with Georgetown University.

The City of Vienna gives the "Old General Hospital" to the University.

625th Anniversary of the University of Vienna.

Partnership Agreement with the Comenius University in Bratislava.

Extension of the Department of Botany.

Partnership Agreement with the University of Bologna.

University Organisational Law.

Partnership Agreement with the University of Kyoko and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Partnership Agreements with the University of New York, the University of Chile and the Universities of Sydney and Melbourne in Australia.

Presentation by the University of Vienna in Brno.

Higher Education Law.