DISCOVER WELS

FIND YOUR STUDY PROGRAM IN WELS

WELS AT A GLANCE

Located in the heart of Upper Austria, right on the Traun river, lies the city of Wels with a population of just over 60,000 people. Once a Celtic settlement, Wels boasts over 2,000 years of history that can be seen on every turn when exploring the city on foot. The historic market is the best place to go as it is filled with cultural history, depicted in the beautiful medieval buildings, romantic arcade and colorful houses. While maintaining its traditions, Wels has adopted much of the contemporary lifestyle in the past years and has now become a busy trade center with a dynamic atmosphere. In addition, what makes this city worth living and studying at is the renowned University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, providing excellent education and living standards to all Austrian and international students enrolled. Wels is located in the Central European transitional climate zone, which means the weather here is often fluctuating. The temperatures here are rather temperate with warm and humid summers and dry, cold winters. From June to August temperatures usually vary between 18 °C and 25 °C, whereas during the coldest month of the year, which is January, they normally drop below 0 °C. Wels is within a close proximity to the capital of the Upper Austrian region, Linz. Having this in mind, traveling to and from the city to other metropolises like Vienna is quite easy and fast. The city’s public transport is serviced by buses circulating in all parts of Wels. Another common means of transportation around here are bikes; locals get to ride them along the Traun river and within the inner parts of the city.

Academic Year

Summer Semester: March – June / Winter Semester: October - February

Official Language

German

Higher Education Institutions

Population

61233

Living Costs

950 EUR

STUDYING IN WELS

The University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria has its headquarters in Wels and three other locations in Hagenberg, Linz and Steyr. With more than 5,000 students, of which 2,107 are located in Wels, the university offers 31 Bachelor programs and 37 Master programs. The courses studied here are in the fields of Computer Science, Media, Medical Technology, Management and Engineering, and Applied Sciences. Being a renowned higher learning institute, one of the main objectives of the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria is to provide the highest quality of education with a strong focus on practice. Commitment and self-confidence are promoted to students through comprehensive support on the part tutors. The university plays also an integral role in the economy of the whole Upper Austria region by networking with regional and global business and providing innovative research findings and employment opportunities. One of the most important aspects in a student’s life is accommodation. In Wels, there are two student residence halls located within a walking distance from the campus. In order to apply for a room in one of them, students must fill in and submit an accommodation form to the International Office. However, due to limited availability, the university cannot guarantee that all applicants will get the chance to book a room in one of the dormitories. This is why it is highly recommended for all students to start the application process as soon as possible. The average rent per month including utility bills and breakfast or dinner is about 406 to 485 EUR depending on the accommodation. Alternatively, students can always search for other housing opportunities such as a shared flat with friends on the private market in Wels.

WELS LIFESTYLE

Students can take a break from studying and exams with the help of the fun leisure activities and diverse cultural life here in Wels. Having an active social life is not an issue, especially for student who can visit most of the venues within the city while benefiting from various discounts and promotions. Some of the things young adults can do after lectures is going to one of the two cinemas in town or enjoying an interesting experience with friends while playing the new Live Escape Game. The diverse scene of bars, pubs and several clubs offer students night entertainment with great music of all genres and exquisite cocktails or local brews. In addition, all year round, different festival like the Welser Volksfest or the Fishing Festival invite people to indulge in the local culture and get to know traditions and new people. It is extremely important for students to keep their body in shape and their mind healthy as they are often exposed to large amounts of stress and pressure. Wels provides many opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities that students can practice to unwind after a busy day at the university. Along the Traun river there are running and cycling routes of various lengths. Indoor and outdoor pools can be found at the Welldorado swimming center. Travel enthusiasts can also explore other parts of Austria and visit bigger cities like Linz and Salzburg that are less than one hour away by train.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN WELS

There are many great opportunities after graduation in Wels as well as in other cities in Austria. Skilled workers are highly required everywhere, and so ambitious graduates are likely to find a good job quite fast. In order to succeed without facing any challenges or to reduce them to the minimum, students must prepare themselves as early as possible prior to the end of their studies. Apart from a well-structured plan, knowledge of the labor market and practical experience are among the key elements in the process of finding the right career path. This is why it is highly recommended for young adults to attend career events, workshops, engage with internships, and participate in an exchange program. For additional support, almost every university has a Career Service office where students can seek help and guidance for anything related to the working. In addition, Wels itself offers a good business environment where those who wish to start gaining practical experience before their graduation can do so. One of the city’s top priorities is to support all kinds of business, which has attracted multiple companies over the years. Universitaet.com can also contribute to the search of a new employment as it offers a listing of current job offers in Wels and other Austrian cities. They can be found in the “Career” section on the website.