Vienna, Austria

Music

Study Abroad
Program Options:
Part-Time Internship
Length:
Fall, Spring

At a Glance

Housing:

Apartment, Studio

Credits:

15 to 19 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

English, German

Language Prerequisites:

None

Part-Time Internship (Optional):

Included in Program Fee

Visa Required:

Yes

About the Program

The IES Abroad Vienna Music Program is ideal for students majoring or minoring in Music, and offers you the opportunity to participate in a wide selection of courses focusing on Music and European culture and society. The program is organized in conjunction with the Vienna European Society & Culture Program. You can select your courses from English- and German-taught options in Music History, Music Theory & Composition, Performance Studies, and more!

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World Class Facilities

Take advantage of our Music Performance Workshop.

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Real-World Placement

Participate in an internship or field experience placement.

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Language Practice

Practice your German and meet local students.

Fall 2025

Program Dates:

Late August - Mid December

Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

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Alicia Emerich

Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

A view of Vienna, Austria's landscape at sunset.

Why Vienna?

Home to an astounding number of legendary composers—from Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven to Brahms, Mahler, and Schoenberg—Vienna maintains an incredible richness of musical culture to this day. The world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Musikverein, and the Staatsoper are just a few of the many leading institutions that help make Vienna a true “city of music”—and make it the perfect location for an engaging study of Music History and Performance.

Learn More About Vienna

Get to Know Your New City

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Experience an Opera at the Wiener Staatsoper

See world-class opera performances for only a few euros.

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Relax Along the Danube Canal

Enjoy late afternoon sun while taking in this waterway.

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Visit a Museum or Two on a Rainy Day

At least one of the 100+ museums of Vienna will interest you.

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Sip Wine at an Authentic Heuriger

These Viennese wine taverns serve locally-produced wines.

The Student Experience

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Housing

Housing in Vienna, Austria.
  • Apartment

Apartment

Studio – Live in your own one-room studio apartment with a full-size bed, private bathroom and study space. Other amenities include a gym, WiFi, on-site laundry, bike share, and more.

Shared – Shared apartments offer fully furnished spaces for students and up to five roommates. The classically Viennese shared apartment comes equipped with 1-2 twin beds per bedroom, WiFi, access to laundry, and a shared kitchen, bathroom, and common space.

Studio Plus – The studio plus apartment features some of the amenities of a studio and includes a private kitchenette. Beneficial for those with specific dietary, sleep and/or study requirements.

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. We offer unique courses that explore Austrian History, Culture, Art, and many other topics through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors, as well as course options at prestigious local universities, enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day both in and out of class.

Courses

You'll take 15–19 credit hours per semester, and all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified. Language courses are taught in German, and all other courses are taught in English, unless otherwise noted. Academic programming is scheduled five days a week. 

If you have taken fewer than two years of college-level German or the equivalent, you enroll in English-taught IES Abroad courses. If you have advanced-level German language proficiency, you may enroll in a combination of German- and English taught courses or all German-taught IES Abroad courses. Students with strong language skills can also enroll in local university courses at the Universität Wien. 

You create your academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components: 

  • IES Abroad German course (required, 4 credits) 
  • IES Abroad Music courses (at least one required, 3-4 credits)  
  • IES Abroad area studies courses (3-4 credits)*
  • IES Abroad Internship or Field Experience (includes internship/field experience seminar, 3 credits) 

Music Performance Workshop 

A special feature of the program is the Music Performance Workshop, a course designed to offer instrumentalists and vocalists the opportunity to expand their repertoire and enhance their performance skills. Interested students submit a special application and audition to be admitted to the workshop. As part of the Music Performance Workshop, you can enjoy the following features: 

  • Student participation in weekly in-class performances of chamber music and solo repertoire.
  • Emphasis on vocal/instrumental chamber ensembles, opera theater (including Viennese operetta), and German Lieder.
  • An ensemble instructor to help prepare your group in performing works of chamber music. 
  • An in-house pianist/accompanist/coach to help in preparing repertoire. 
  • Performing in Performance Workshop recitals in our Rococo concert hall. 
  • Guest lectures and masterclasses with internationally renowned performing artists. 

Auditions

Music Performance Workshop auditions are currently done virtually. This gives the music department faculty a chance to assess your artistry and technical proficiency. 

Additional Program Features 

  • Private Lessons – Take partially-reimbursed music lessons for credit with instructors from some of the top orchestras and music schools in Vienna (see MS391 Individual Performance Studies syllabus). 
  • Practice Rooms – Numerous practice rooms are available at the IES Abroad Center and at nearby facilities. 
  • Concert and Recitals – As a Performance Studies student, you can perform a selection of works during a group concert and can also present your own recital during the course of the semester. 
  • Concert Hall – IES Abroad Vienna boasts its own performance space - a beautiful Rococo concert hall with outstanding acoustics and a 50-person seating capacity. The space, which has two grand pianos and a harpsichord, serves as the venue for student concerts and recitals. 
  • Our Steinway D – Measuring just under nine feet long and finished in polished ebony, our grandest-of-grand pianos was manufactured in Hamburg, Germany, around 1926. It has been painstakingly restored by one of the top piano technicians and restorers in the business. Truly one of the great concert instruments in the world, our Steinway is not only a joy to hear, but gives you the opportunity to play an instrument of the highest caliber. 
  • Field Study Excursions – You'll attend events such as rehearsals of leading ensembles in Vienna, visits to music-related historical sites like the homes of Mozart and Beethoven, and guided tours of famous music venues and museums in the city.  
  • Instrument Storage – A limited number of lockers are available at the Center, allowing you to bring your own musical instrument to Vienna and avoid rental fees. 
  • Instruments – Students are expected to bring their own instruments, but a double bass and an F tuba are available for rental directly from the Center; other instruments may be available from local rental companies. 
  • Guest Speakers – Professional musicians and other guests provide a series of modules on topics including the Alexander Technique, auditioning for European houses or ensembles, sound and recording, early music, and personal performance experiences. 

Note for Clarinet, Oboe, Horn, and Percussion Instrumentalists

The clarinet, oboe, and horn as taught and played in Vienna have a different construction and require a different technique than found in the U.S. However, IES Abroad maintains contact with instructors that teach and play in both traditions, so lessons are not a problem. You can view this as a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge of the instrument. Percussion studies in Vienna are particularly distinct from in the U.S. IES Abroad does not encourage timpani or percussion students to pursue their studies in Vienna unless they are particularly willing to overcome this complication. The same applies to most areas of jazz, computer, and popular music. 

To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication

*In addition to your program’s specified coursework, you can take any of the area studies courses offered through our European Society & Culture Program. 

NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (31)

Anthropology (2)

Course name Term Language Credits
AN/SO 345 - Comparative Austrian and European Youth Cultures: Theories and Practices Fall, Spring English 3
AN/SO 328 - The Culture of Immigration Fall, Spring English 3
PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

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Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Vienna, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

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Styria

2 Days ($) Fall & Spring

Spend a weekend in Styria, Austria's southeastern province that borders Slovenia, known for its picturesque vineyards and delicious wines. This trip also includes a visit to Graz, Austria's second-largest city

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Wachau

1 Day ($) Fall & Spring

Visit the spectacular region of the Danube Valley where castles are perched high above the river and some of Austria's best wines are cultivated. Includes a tour of the famous Melk Abbey.

Ski lifts travelling to their destinations in the Austrian Alps on a foggy morning.

Austrian Alps

3 Days ($) Fall & Spring

Ski down the beautiful slopes of the Austrian Alps! The trip includes lodging, equipment rental, a ski pass for two days, and lessons for beginners.

Part-Time Internships

Did you know that you can intern as part of your study abroad experience in Vienna? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will: 

  • Take an important step in your career development by navigating the professional world with our support. 
  • Learn more about yourself both personally and professionally and build confidence in the process. 
  • Experience what working in Vienna is really like and gain an authentic understanding of the workplace culture while developing real, applicable job skills that will bolster your career readiness. 
  • Begin building an international network by making connections with coworkers and peers. 

All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You will participate in a 3-credit seminar, which complements the practical experience gained during the internship helping you better understand work life in your host country. Internships generally include 8-12 hours per week of work. Proficiency in German language is not generally required, but can be helpful in securing certain Arts & Culture and Business internship placements. 

Placement Examples

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Arts & Culture

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Business

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Teaching Field Experience

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Fall 2024

Tuition
$
18,788
Housing
$
4,417
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
23,450

Spring 2025

Tuition
$
19,220
Housing
$
4,525
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
23,990

Fall 2025

Tuition
-
Housing
-
Insurance
-
Total
Pending

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.

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About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad. 

The IES Abroad Vienna Center is an elegant, early 18th-century palace called the Palais Corbelli, and is in a bustling central part of the city. Whether you’re visiting any number of the museums, taking in a show at a historic theater, or finding a park to study in, the Center is your study abroad hub.  

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in Vienna
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to Vienna. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Intensive Language Learning
During the first fews weeks of the program, you will begin your language learning experience and participate in activities to meet and bond with others.
Get to Know the City
Beyond orientation sessions, you will have opportunities to explore and discover Vienna before classes start to help you feel at home in your new environment.
Prepare to Learn
Feel prepared to begin classes with practical lessons, activities designed to help you learn your way around the area, and support from our dedicated student staff.

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Fall 2024

Program Dates:

August 26 - December 14

Application Deadline:

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

January 20 - May 10

Application Deadline:

Fall 2025

Program Dates:

Late August - Mid December

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age
  • In good standing at your home school
  • Sophomore, junior, or senior standing when program begins. Some local university courses may not be available to students of sophomore standing. Please contact your IES representative for more details.
  • 2.75 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs under 2.75 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • Music major or minor preferred. In the case of non-music majors/minors with serious experience, some exceptions can be considered. All applicants must have at least one year of study in music theory or the ability to read music and follow a score.
  • No previous German language study required for students enrolling in English-taught courses.
  • 4 semesters or the equivalent of college-level German required for fall or academic year students enrolling in German-taught or University courses.
  • 5 semesters or the equivalent of college-level German required for spring semester students enrolling in German-taught or University courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

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The Student Experience

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

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