Details

• Great Britain & N.Ireland
• BaWiSo-19
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 3 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

I was already set on studying in an anglophone country. During most of September 2024, I toured England, Scotland, and Ireland to really get a feel for the culture -- the people and their mentality -- and by then I decided on an exchange semester in England. Since I was in the curriculum of BaWiSo2019, scanning the list of English universities and eligible courses for recognition was a chore, although the Excel table did give me a decent list of possible courses I could have taken during my stay. I decided on London, specifically City St George (Bayes), and planned my semesters at WU to save these courses for recognition during my stay abroad. London had always been a fascinating city for me, and I considered the possibility of working there one day. I knew that living costs would have been expensive, but it did not discourage me, and I also heard that Bayes Business School had a good reputation for Finance and Management programmes. I still consider the possibility of studying there for my master's.

2. Accommodation

My classes at Bayes only went until the 17th of April, and I still had to finish several exams at WU by the end of January; thus I had to miss the introduction week at my exchange programme. Finding accomodation for this very specific time-frame was difficult, but I ended up finding a student housing complex called "Great Court" through booking.com where I could book my stay from precisely the 1st of February to the 18th of April. I paid GBP 1,300 per month (EUR 1,500) for a tiny room in South Bermondsey, 45 mins away from my uni by bus. It was too far, even though it seemed like South Bermondsey would be quite central. I had completely underestimated how big London was. Sadly I do not think I could have done anything about it, as accomodations are usually not that widely available for a single semester. GBP 1,300 per month is a standard price.

3. Academic life at host university

I took the courses Corporate Risk Management and Macroeconomics. To be honest, I was not very impressed with the teaching style of the professors -- it was difficult to pay attention and follow what they were saying. Classes ran once a week for 2 hours; the rest of the week was spent reading, working on assignments, and studying. Each class had a final exam and a coursework project that had to be completed as a group. The actual coursework content was fascinating, especially the class on corporate risk management. Because I had to dedicate so much time to a single project, I truly immersed myself in the course content, learning about the COSO ERM Framework with a focus on risk governance. I was also impressed by the Bayes Business School Campus facilities on Bunhill Row. I spent most of my time studying there, using the computers, reading books in the library. Some of the computers had bloomberg terminals -- excellent for those interested in practicing for a career in high finance.

5. Every day life in the host country

Transport in London is far more expensive than in Vienna. While a single ticket by bus costs around €2, an underground ticket costs around €3. I purchased a student transport ticket for around €140 per month, which was valid for zones 1 and 2, where my accommodation and the two main campuses for my classes were located. Pickpocketing is rampant, so you had to take care of your belongings, especially your backpack. Violent crime in London is much lower than it was around 10 years ago, so I did not feel unsafe in that regard. There are public cameras with facial recognition almost everyhwere and security on campus is tight. On the Bayes campus at Bunhill Row, only authorized students, guests, and staff may enter with a valid ID or asking the portier. The nightlife was excellent; London is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe. Even on a weekday, beautifully classic pubs were filled with young professionals and students grabbing their afternoon pints. Networking for career opportunities was far more blunt than in Austria, where bankers would offer you recommendations if they knew you a little better. If you were determined to visit a musical or a theater, you had to stay around Piccadilly; that part of town is littered with entertainment. The Londoners are an athletic bunch, as I saw many go on their morning runs along the Thames.

6. Testimonial

It was an incredible experience, as I've made many new friends and acquaintances, and I had a glimpse of what a truly diverse city looks like. Everything was on a far bigger scale than Vienna, from the different kinds of people you met to the sheer size of the city. London will always have a truly special place in my heart, and I could certainly consider moving there one day.