Diplomatische Akademie Wien

Missed the regular application deadline for the MSc in Digital International Affairs? There is still one final opportunity to join the 2026/27 cohort.

We are accepting 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟱 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

The two-year, full-time MSc combines international affairs with digital technologies, covering areas such as digital diplomacy, cybersecurity, international law, artificial intelligence and data analysis. The programme is organised in cooperation with the University of Innsbruck and prepares graduates for international careers in an increasingly digital world.

Apply now: https://da-vienna.ac.at/DIA

Virginia Hall was an American intelligence operative during the Second World War who served with the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Before studying at the Consular Academy, she attended Radcliffe College in Massachusetts, Barnard College in New York and George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she studied French, Italian and German.

In 1931, she took up a position at the US Consulate in Warsaw and later served in modern-day İzmir. In 1932, she accidentally shot herself in the left foot while hunting, resulting in a below-knee amputation. She was fitted with a wooden and aluminium prosthetic leg weighing nearly four kilograms, which she named Cuthbert.

Despite this, Hall went on to become one of the Allies' most effective intelligence operatives in France, successfully evading the Gestapo. Based in Lyon, she built an extensive network of contacts who provided safe houses and intelligence that enabled her to avoid capture. Among her many achievements were helping Allied airmen escape occupied France and assisting in the organisation of the escape of twelve SOE agents imprisoned by the Vichy French authorities. Following the German occupation of the previously unoccupied zone of France in late 1942, Hall made a gruelling crossing of the snow-covered Pyrenees on foot into neutral Spain despite her prosthetic leg.

After returning to London in 1943, Hall was appointed an honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). In 1945, she became the only civilian woman to receive the Distinguished Service Cross during the Second World War, the United States' second-highest military decoration for extraordinary heroism. France also awarded her the Croix de Guerre.

In 1947, Hall became one of the first women employed by the newly established CIA. Despite her exceptional wartime service, she spent much of her post-war career in administrative intelligence roles that did not fully reflect her experience.

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📷© Marko Rogi

Our heartfelt congratulations to all those who have received their acceptance and confirmation for their upcoming studies at the DA. Starting at the DA means entering a small, international academic community in the heart of Vienna. The first weeks are all about orientation, discovery, and finding your rhythm both in the institution and in the city.

🎓As part of our alumni series, the POLEMICS: The Magazine of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna editorial team is reconnecting with recent graduates to learn where their careers have taken them and how their time at the Vienna School of International Studies has shaped their professional journeys.

🤝In this interview, Polemics speaks with Adithyan Puthen Veettil (MAIS 26), who, after internships with several United Nations bodies, now works at Advantage Austria India, supporting Austrian companies in strengthening business ties with India and the wider South Asian region.

🌍From international organisations to economic diplomacy and trade promotion, Adithyan shares how his career has evolved, the value of an interdisciplinary education, and why staying open to unexpected opportunities has guided his path.

The 1854 centennial coin is one of the most historically significant objects connected to the Diplomatische Akademie Wien - Vienna School of International Studies.

The "centennial coin" was struck in 1854 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Orientalische Akademie (Oriental Academy), established by Empress Maria Theresa in 1754, the predecessor of today's Academy.

The medal was designed by Wenzel Seidan, one of the leading Austrian medallists of the mid-19th century.

The obverse (front) features conjoined busts of Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Franz Joseph. The iconography was carefully chosen, as Maria Theresa symbolises the Academy's origins in 1754, while Franz Joseph I. represents its continuation under the Habsburg monarchy since he ascended the throne in 1848.

The reverse (back) is particularly interesting. It depicts Pallas Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, standing above the double-headed Habsburg eagle. Beneath Athena appears a Persian inscription reading: "For God and Emperor". This Persian motto reflected the Oriental Academy’s mission to educate diplomats and interpreters for service to the Habsburg Empire in the Ottoman and Persian worlds. This Persian inscription was revived in 2007 and is once again incorporated into our DA's seal and logo.

The centenary was a major event for the Academy. One of the highlights of the celebrations was a commemorative address by the famous orientalist and diplomat Joseph von Hammer-Purgstall, himself an alumnus of the Oriental Academy. In his speech, he reflected on the Academy's first century and specifically referred to its Persian motto, underscoring the institution's long tradition of linguistic and diplomatic excellence.

The medal is one of the earliest surviving commemorative objects celebrating our institutional history.

𝘈𝘯 𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘈. 𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺, 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘞𝘰𝘭𝘧𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘷𝘰𝘯 𝘞𝘶𝘳𝘻𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘩-𝘛𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘨'𝘴 1943 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘫𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘴.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗦𝗰 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀

🎓Congratulations to the inaugural graduates of the MSc in Digital International Affairs, jointly offered by the Diplomatische Akademie Wien – Vienna School of International Studies and the Universität Innsbruck.

🌍Over the past two years, this pioneering cohort of ten students from seven countries explored the intersection of international affairs and digital transformation while becoming an integral part of the DA community. From the inauguration at Vienna City Hall and the study trip to Brussels to Career Day, student societies, the DA Charity Ball, Christmas Extravaganza, Open House events and countless lectures, excursions and unforgettable moments, they helped shape the programme from day one.

💜Congratulations on this achievement and we wish you every success in the next chapter of your international careers.

Looking to certify your French language skills in the field of international relations? 🇫🇷

The Diplomatische Akademie Wien – Vienna School of International Studies will host the Diplôme de Français Professionnel des Relations Internationales (DFP-RI) examination on 7 September 2026.

The internationally recognised DFP-RI diploma is valid for life and is offered at B2 and C1 levels.

To register or request further information, please contact [email protected] by 24 August.

Congratulations to Julia Dean, Fedor Agapov, and Kate Willeford on their exemplary theses!

This year's thesis spotlight series highlights the wide range of topics our students have become experts in while writing their master's theses. Our international student body comes from diverse academic backgrounds and, through our programmes, delves into international relations, law, European studies, economics, history, and cultural studies to prepare them for careers in diplomacy and various international sectors.

After nearly two decades at the Diplomatische Akademie Wien – Vienna School of International Studies, Professor Thomas Row is preparing to hand over the Chair of History.

For countless DA students and alumni, Professor Row has been much more than a history professor. Whether in the lecture halls, on study trips across Europe and beyond, at DA traditions and celebrations, or during the inevitable foto di gruppo, he has been a defining part of life at the Academy since 2006.

This collection of photos captures just a few of the many memorable moments, friendships and experiences shared over the years. Thank you, Professor Row, for your passion, your scholarship, your humour and the lasting impact you have had on generations of DA students.

As we celebrate Professor Row's remarkable legacy, we are also delighted to welcome Professor Katherine A. Lebow, who will assume the Chair of History from September 2026.

Thank you, Professor Row, for your remarkable legacy at the DA.

Read more in the latest club.da Alumni News at 🔗 https://club.da-vienna.ac.at/clubda-alumni-news