BOKU University

BOKU is an abbreviation of the German word “Bodenkultur”, which translates as “soil cultivation” – or, more broadly, agriculture. This is a reference back to its origins, in 1872, as a small agricultural university.

Today, BOKU is referred to in translation as the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna – an indication of its expanded focus. It currently educates 11,000 students, across 15 departments. Most courses are for master’s or doctoral students, but there are seven undergraduate degree programmes: food science and biotechnology; forestry; wood and fibre technology; environmental sciences and civil engineering; landscape architecture and landscape planning; environment and bioresources management; and agricultural sciences. 

Students live either in university halls of residence or in flatshares. Student clubs include Austria’s first university brass band, founded in 2010, as well as a BOKU choir. A winter BOKU ball takes place in the Viennese imperial palace at the start of every year. 

International students are offered an Austrian student as a buddy, who can introduce them to university life and to Vienna more generally.