University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna

University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien
University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna main building
Former name
Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien
Motto in English
Tradition and Innovation
TypePublic
Established1817; 207 years ago (1817)
RektorUlrike Sych [de]
Academic staff
850
Administrative staff
200
Students>3,000
Location,
48°12′06″N 16°23′06″E / 48.20167°N 16.38500°E / 48.20167; 16.38500
Websitewww.mdw.ac.at

The University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (German: Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, abbreviated MDW) is an Austrian university established in 1817 located in Vienna. With a student body of over three thousand, it is the largest institution of its kind in Austria, and one of the largest in the world.

In 1817, it was established by the Society for the Friends of Music. It has had several names: Vienna Conservatory, Vienna Academy and in 1909 it was nationalized as the Imperial Academy of Music and the Performing Arts. In 1998, the University assumed its current name to reflect its university status, attained in a wide 1970 reform for Austrian Arts Academies.