On September 9, FHWien der WKW ceremoniously honored the first cohort of its newly established Excellence Club, founded in 2024. Twelve particularly dedicated students from the study areas of Communication Management, Journalism & Media Management, and Marketing & Sales Management received their certificates on September 9, 2025. With the Excellence Club, the university recognizes outstanding achievements and supports talents on their career paths.
The Excellence Club of FHWien der WKW is more than just an award. Members gain access to exclusive career events and can participate in workshops and excursions. In addition, they benefit from close mentoring by experts from academia and industry, who provide valuable insights and open doors to professional networks. Students are also supported in their academic work, such as their master’s thesis. This ensures that the selected talents not only receive recognition but also the best possible support for their future.
Building Bridges Between Academia and Industry
The program connects academic training with professional practice in a unique way. In line with FHWien der WKW’s guiding principle “Studying the Practice,” the Excellence Club promotes exchange with companies and industry representatives. Students have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in practice, while companies gain early access to potential young professionals and can position themselves as attractive employers.
Transparent Selection with Clear Criteria
At the event, the new members of the upcoming 2025–26 cohort were also warmly welcomed into the Excellence Club. The selection of students follows a transparent process: in addition to excellent academic performance, international experience, subject-relevant work practice, and voluntary engagement play an important role. Innovative concepts for bachelor’s or master’s theses are also taken into account. Recommendation letters as well as nominations by lecturers and fellow students complement the decision-making process. This ensures that the selected students stand out not only through academic achievements but also through their personality and commitment.
Renowned Partners Opening Their Doors
The Excellence Club is supported by strong partners from the industry. The Forum Journalism and Media (fjum) and the Marketing Club Austria (MCÖ) contribute to the program with their wide-ranging offerings. Club members gain exclusive access to expert talks, networking formats, and up-to-date industry knowledge, allowing them to connect early on with leading professionals.
The Austrian Media Academy is also actively involved in the Excellence Club: the renowned training institute enables members to participate free of charge in its workshops and seminars, and it supports events and regular meet-ups through sponsorship.
Outlook: Next Round in 2026
The support program is continued annually. The next application phase will begin in spring 2026. Companies and institutions interested in supporting the Excellence Club are warmly invited to get in touch with the study programs of FHWien der WKW.