FAQ for directors of studies
General questions
Where can the OSAs be found?
What are the objectives of an OSA?
An OSA is an interactive orientation tool designed to help prospective students decide for or against a degree programme before they start. If prospective students can take a look at their own study-related interests, motives, strengths and weaknesses at an early stage, this should help them make an informed decision on a degree programme. The OSAs of the University of Vienna have a mix of informative and diagnostic content, which helps prospective students make a self-assessment of their suitability for a degree programme.
Why does the OSA not give a specific recommendation for or against a degree programme?
Some important prerequisites for a degree programme can be determined using information in the OSA, but not all of them. Other factors also play a role in successful study, such as whether someone works in addition to studying or has care obligations. We therefore recommend the OSA as an additional source of information when choosing a degree programme but the prospective students in question must ultimately make this decision themselves.
What do applicants say about the OSAs?
Regular evaluations show that the OSAs are very well received as an orientation tool. Current data:
- 88 % received new information about the degree programme in the OSA.
- 88 % found the feedback helpful.
- 91 % found the OSA helpful.
- 96 % generally considered the OSA to be useful.
- 96 % would recommend the OSA to other prospective students.
What distinguishes the degree programme-specific OSAs from uni:check?
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) has developed an interactive online orientation tool (uni:check) that informs the target group of pupils about the University, academic thinking and working methods, student life and important interdisciplinary competences.
In contrast to the degree programme-specific OSAs, the tool presents studying itself in a clear and realistic way that is appropriate for the target group and provides pupils with an interactive decision aid to help them find out whether studying is the right choice for them: unicheck.univie.ac.at
Structure and possible contents of an OSA
How is a degree programme-specific OSA structured?
The OSA has a modular structure. During or after each module, prospective students receive detailed feedback as well as specific tips on how to deal with identified weaknesses.
At the heart of the OSA are the specialised tasks, which are designed to give an insight into what students can expect during their studies (and, as our evaluations have shown, are extremely popular with prospective students). Modules on study-specific expectations and interests are also part of each OSA. The other modules can be used flexibly and adapted to the specific needs of the faculty/department.
Who determines the content of an OSA?
The faculty/department determines the content of the individual modules. A decision needs to be made on how the specific requirements of the respective degree programmes will be incorporated into the design of the OSA. The strategic orientation of the University and the faculty, centre or department must also be taken into account.
Are the OSAs also available in English?
On request, the OSA can also be provided in English in addition to the German version. It should be noted that level C1 German is a prerequisite for admission to bachelor's programmes at the University of Vienna. This needs to be taken into account so that prospective students do not get the wrong impression.
OSA development
How is an OSA created?
An OSA is developed as part of a defined process that has been gradually optimised in recent years. Prior to the actual development work, the organisation and schedule as well as the strategic orientation of the OSA (should it have a more promotional character, be more informative, etc.) are clarified with the faculty, centre or department.
Then a decision needs to be made on how the specific requirements of the respective degree programmes will be incorporated into the design of the OSA. The study-specific interests and expectations are drawn up by the CTL, but in close cooperation with you. Drawing up the degree programme-specific tasks is the responsibility of the field of study itself. The CTL will be happy to help you with the implementation (e.g. finding ideal formats, didactic preparation, etc.) and deals with all the necessary programming work.
How much work will my faculty/centre/department require to draw up an OSA?
The specific requirements of a degree programme/field of study are determined in an online survey via a web tool. The experts named by the faculty, centre or department will be surveyed via a web tool (a total of approx. 10-15 people in each case, divided between teachers, students and, if applicable, graduates). To this end, the CTL prepares statements in advance on study-specific interests on the basis of the curriculum and the course directory which can be commented on in the survey. Likewise, statements on specific study situations, including factors for effective or ineffective study behaviour, are collected using the critical incident technique. The CTL develops correct and incorrect study expectations based on this information from the experts. The survey is carried out in two rounds, each round takes about 30-50 minutes.
The workload must also be taken into account for drawing up the specialised tasks. It is difficult to make a time estimate here because the tasks and scope vary greatly from subject to subject.
How are the data evaluated?
Online self-assessments are dynamic, modular tools with a database connection and an individual but automatically generated evaluation. Prospective students receive detailed feedback in the OSA and immediately after completing the OSA, as well as being given specific tips on how to deal with weaknesses. Regular evaluations and assessments of user feedback are carried out by the CTL and given to the directors of studies (SPL).
Organisational aspects and implementation
Who has access to the OSAs?
The OSAs are freely accessible and can be carried out at any time.
How long does an OSA take?
In an ideal case, it should be possible to complete an OSA in 45 to 60 minutes.
Are the OSAs barrier-free?
When creating the OSAs, the basic specifications for barrier-free Internet are observed. Navigation is possible via the keyboard and content can be read aloud using screen reader programs. In addition, an alternative CSS can be activated that increases the contrast and enlarges the font. Unfortunately, barrier-free integration of graphics and images is currently only possible to a limited extent.
Who bears the costs for the OSA?
The development and maintenance costs are borne by the CTL. The costs of any video production will also be borne by the CTL (max. EUR 1,000 for videos).
How does an OSA work as part of an application procedure or aptitude assessment?
OSAs are used in some subjects with admission restrictions as the first stage of the application procedure/aptitude assessment for bachelor's programmes. Timely completion of the OSA is then a prerequisite for participation in the written entrance exam/aptitude test, but the results in the OSA are not included in the decision on the allocation of places. The OSA can be done online at any time. After completing it, prospective students receive a personal code which must be given when registering for the application procedure. It is also possible to receive the code by e-mail. If the same e-mail address is used when applying for admission to a degree programme in u:space, the OSA code is automatically transferred.
How does an OSA work as a mandatory admission criterion?
In the meantime, the OSA has been implemented as a prerequisite for admission in some subjects (introduction in the academic year 2021/22: "The aptitude test prior to admission to a degree programme is carried out in addition to the general provisions on admission to a degree programme in the form of completion of a degree programme-specific online self-assessment."). Initial findings suggest a reduction in admissions due to the OSA.
The OSA can be done online at any time. After completing it, prospective students receive a personal code which must be given when applying for the degree programme in question.
Quality assurance and fairness
How is the quality of the process assured?
The OSAs are created and monitored by psychologists and education experts from the CTL on the basis of evidence. Modules with psychological content (e.g. personality dimensions, but also interests and expectations) are created using transparent and relevant methods and are based on the requirements of job-related aptitude diagnostics (DIN 33430).
Are the OSAs regularly improved?
Usage data are analysed in aggregated form in regular evaluations. After an OSA is completed, users also have the opportunity to give positive and negative feedback in an evaluation questionnaire. The OSAs are reviewed annually, and this process includes feedback from users. Frequently mentioned points of criticism are analysed in detail and deliberately improved (examples: unclear task instruction; length of the OSA; too few specialised tasks, etc.).
Who can I contact if I have any questions?
Contact person at the CTL:
- Gisela Kriegler-Kastelic: gisela.kriegler@univie.ac.at
The entire OSA team:
- Hanna Frankl
- Robin Gleeson
- Isabelle Krol
- Heidi Niederkofler
- Reinhard Schott