About Us
Webster University is an independent nonprofit institution with a century of time-tested results, today serving 13,000-plus students studying worldwide. Recognized for its diversity, inclusion and global orientation, Webster is an institution focused on the future of education, guided by a bold mission appropriate for today's changing times.
With its main campus in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, Webster’s global network of campuses spans three continents. Faculty, staff, students and alumni from across the network forge powerful bonds with each other and their communities around the globe, guided by the University’s mission, vision and core values.
Webster University's Mission
Webster University nurtures the skills, knowledge and personal growth of our students, cultivating learners who are engaged citizens, ready to create meaningful change in their communities and the world.
Our Vision for Webster University
Webster University empowers our students to become catalysts for change — transforming their own lives while driving progress and inspiring lasting impact in communities worldwide.
Webster provides hands-on, experiential learning, offering students high-impact experiences through internships, mentorship, research, community service and study abroad opportunities. The University is committed to providing a transformative education for students, emphasizing critical thinking and creativity and fostering a student-first environment.
We understand that we are interconnected and greater than the sum of our parts. By leading with love, Webster creates a community that is the heart of learning and growth. Through a shared ethic of care and compassion, we promote a culture of belonging that empowers each person to contribute their unique perspectives. By embracing dialogue, mutual respect and social responsibility, we nurture individuals who contribute to the common good within our campus communities and on a global scale.
Webster’s unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is rooted in the fundamental belief that every person has equal worth. The University’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion extends to all individuals from historically underrepresented and marginalized groups, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, Pacific Islander and other people of color; immigrants and refugees; LGBTQIA+ individuals; people of diverse gender identities and expressions, including transgender, intersex, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming and two-spirit individuals; people with all manner of disability, whether apparent or non-visible, including mental health conditions, neurodivergent, chronic medical conditions and Deaf individuals; people from a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds; individuals from under-resourced or economically marginalized communities; military veterans and individuals across all ages, body types and national origins or nationalities. Recognizing the complexities of intersectionality and the commitment to ongoing education, inclusivity and equity for all, Webster maintains a community with a sense of belonging for all identities. It ensures everyone can learn, work and live in an atmosphere of dignity, respect, safety and care.
Our differences make us stronger, which is why Webster insists on a culture of fairness and kindness. The University amplifies the contributions of students, faculty and staff, knowing that diversity and mutuality fuel innovation, creativity and success in everything our community accomplishes.
The highest standards of honesty, fairness and accountability are upheld in all aspects of the community’s academic and professional lives. This commitment requires authentic discourse, transparency, courage and a dedication to ethical principles, even in challenging circumstances. Webster creates a culture where trust thrives and people feel valued and safe to express themselves. The University builds a foundation of responsibility that extends into the communities we serve.
People are the greatest resource at Webster, and the institution is committed to responsibly caring for them, as well as the resources entrusted to the institution in ways that align with our values. Recognizing that it is a privilege to hold the trust, time, talents and dedication of others, we actively care for the well-being and development of our students, faculty and staff.
We commit to growth and reflective practices that enhance our programs, processes and impacts, continually elevating our service to the community and advancing our mission. We embrace a mindset of lifelong learning, honest self-reflection and emotional intelligence, recognizing that personal development fuels innovation and strengthens our collective potential.
WVPU’s mission is to generate knowledge and prepare students for success through a globally oriented and personalized education, small classes and mentorship.
The University’s vision is to solidify its position in Austria and Central Europe as an internationally competitive institution of higher education through innovative programs led by a roster of international faculty who form the core of WVPU’s student-centered approach to higher education. As a member of Webster University's global network of campuses, faculty, staff and students (including over 200,000 alumni) it facilitates student and faculty mobility and fosters a respect for diversity in culture and ideas.
WVPU Guiding Principles:
Our approach to education:
- A student-centered approach.
- The integration of theory and practice and research-led teaching.
- Individual accountability and social responsibility.
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Global perspective.
Our values set the baseline for the university’s principles with regard to teaching and learning, research and social responsibility, namely a commitment to:
Guarantee freedom of sciences and their teaching covering a diversity of scientific and artistic theories, methods and doctrines.
Encourage creativity and scholarship to build self-confidence and a life-long desire for learning.
Transfer key skills necessary for problem solving in the 21st century.
Generate and disseminate research that enhances and strengthens an understanding of the economic, social, political and individual processes that shape the world.
Advance the cause of knowledge-based public and corporate decision making through publicly accessible fora and its dissemination.
A Century of Academic Excellence
In 1915, the Sisters of Loretto had a bold vision of establishing a university that would admit and educate only women. Opening with five students, the institution’s first graduating class totaled just two women.
Today, our community looks quite different than it did more than a century ago — and even different from when it was renamed Webster University in 1983. Now, the university system engages thousands of individuals living and working worldwide, honoring our legacy in the pursuit of academic excellence, equality and global citizenship.
Origins of Webster Vienna Private University
WVPU is one of the longest operating private universities in Austria. Established upon the invitation of Vienna’s mayor, Dr. Leopold Gratz, it became the first university in the country to offer degree programs entirely in English, the first to offer an accredited MBA degree in 1985, and one of the first to receive full accreditation as a private university in 2001.
More than 40 years from its humble beginnings, WVPU is an integral part of the Austrian higher education landscape. Well known for its rigorous teaching excellence and student mentorship, its roster of research faculty guarantees the indivisibility of teaching and research in the classroom while delivering practical real-life skills. Always true to Webster University’s core values, it continues to put students at the center of education, instilling a respect for diversity and an understanding of their own and others’ values to create global citizens.
Accreditations
Since 2001, Webster Vienna has been accredited by The Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria) as an Austrian Private University.
One of the requirements to receive the Austrian accreditation is that the majority of courses need to be taken at the University, especially during the last year. The student will receive the “Diploma Supplement” as part of the Austrian degree which specifies the ECTS credits commonly used in Europe (Bologna Process).
Webster Vienna Private University (WVPU) has been reaccredited by AQ Austria until 2029, reaffirming the quality of its education. Initially accredited in 2001, WVPU has since graduated more than 4,100 students and has been reaccredited four consecutive times: in 2006, 2011, 2016 and most recently in 2022.
Webster University carries full institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC is the highest-level accrediting agency for universities based in the United States’ north-central region.
We’ve maintained this accreditation since 1925, and this institutional accreditation applies to all locations where the University offers programs worldwide. Therefore, students at Webster Vienna earn the same degree as their American peers in the United States.
The George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology is proud to be one of only five percent of the world’s business schools to have earned specialized accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for BS, BA, MBA, MS and doctoral programs in the Business and Management departments.
ACBSP offers programs, services and an accreditation process uniquely focused on teaching excellence and student learning outcomes. Accredited schools are required to go through a rigorous peer review every 10 years to maintain their accreditation.
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Webster Worldwide
Our University stands out as one of the few institutions with its own network of campuses in cities on three continents and has a unified academic experience in all locations. The course catalog and the credit system are the same wherever one studies in our network.
Studying abroad allows students to fully immerse themselves in a new culture and language, as well as new ways of thinking. The decision to study abroad can be one of the most positive life-changing experiences one can make. Students returning home after their time abroad exhibit an enhanced sense of self-confidence and are ultimately better equipped for life after university.
Our University’s main campus is in Webster Groves, located in St. Louis, Missouri. The campus is set in a sprawling park and offers state-of-the-art amenities and facilities. There are additional locations across the United States.
Vienna, Austria
Webster Vienna Private University is in the Austrian capital center, in the beautiful historical Palais Wenkheim, which the city renovated in 2014 and transformed into modern learning facilities.
Leiden, Netherlands
Located within a short traveling distance from major cities like The Hague and Amsterdam, our Leiden campus in the Netherlands makes it easy to enjoy the surrounding vibrant and historically rich culture.
Athens, Greece
Visit the “cradle of civilization and democracy” by attending the University’s campus located in Athens, Greece, nestled at the foothills of the Acropolis and is within minutes of major museums and cultural venues.
Geneva, Switzerland
Webster Geneva Campus is situated on the shores of the lake and at the foothills of the Swiss Alps, which means our students have the opportunity to visit and learn in one of our world’s most naturally beautiful and internationally diverse cities.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Webster Tbilisi is located in the capital city of Georgia in the heart of the South Caucasus between Europe and Asia.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Webster Tashkent is located in the capital and largest city of Uzbekistan, as well as the most populous city in Central Asia.
Meet Our Faculty
At Webster Vienna, our educators are creating effective change in the classroom and beyond. And with our small classroom settings, you’ll have access to personalized mentorship as these industry experts are united in providing you and your peers with the tools necessary for future success.
Learn More
Founded in 1915, Webster is an independent nonprofit university with students studying at campus locations in North America, Europe and Asia, and in a robust online learning environment. With its main campus in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, Webster University’s network of faculty, staff, students and alumni forge powerful bonds with each other and their communities around the globe. The University is committed to engaged learning experiences and empowering our students to become catalysts for change. Prepare for your next step and explore our community resources.