University of Vienna

The Institution of Vienna, also known as the Universitat Wien in German, is a research university that is open to the public and is situated in Vienna, Austria. It is the oldest university in the world that uses German as its primary language, and it was established in 1365 by Duke Rudolph IV. The institution has a long and illustrious history, which has contributed to its development into one of the biggest and also one of the most known universities in Europe, particularly in the field of the humanities. It has been the academic home to numerous researchers of historical as well as intellectual significance, including 21 recipients of the Nobel Prize, making it one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world.

Because Rudolf IV, Duke of Austria, established the institution on March 12, 1365, it was given the name "Alma Mater Rudolphina," which means "Mother of Rudolph." The University of Vienna is the oldest university in the contemporary German-speaking world and the third oldest university in Central Europe, after the Charles University in Prague and the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. However, this distinction is a matter of definition, as the Charles University in Prague was also German-speaking when it was founded. In spite of this, Pope Urban V did not approve the foundation deed that had been sanctioned by Rudolf IV, particularly in regard to the department of theology at the university. This was probably owing to the pressure that was placed by Charles IV, who was the Holy Roman Emperor at the time. Charles IV wanted to prevent competition for the Charles University in Prague.

Later on, in the year 1365, the pope bestowed an endowment to the university, and in 1384, the institution finally obtained papal approval. As a consequence of this, the title of a complete university was bestowed to the University of Vienna, which includes its Faculty of Catholic Theology. 1385 was the year that saw the opening of the very first university building. It eventually became the largest university in the Holy Roman Empire, and during the beginning of the Humanist movement in the middle of the 15th century, it was already home to more than 6,000 students.

In the early years of the university, its organisational structure was somewhat cooperative and partially hierarchical. The Rector held the top position, while students were relegated to the bottom of the hierarchy, with little say in the matter. The academic authorities were chosen from within the ranks of the Magister and Doctors, who made up the four faculties that made up the university. Not only the students but also the other members of the Supposita (the institution) were split up into the four different Academic Nations. Their elected board members, who were also primarily graduates, were the ones who got to vote on who would become the Rector. He presided over the University Assembly, in which all of the university professors took part, as well as the Consistory, which consisted of the procurators of each country and the faculty deans. Complaints or appeals brought forward by students against judgments made by faculty were to be presented by a Magister or Doctor.