In the beginning, it was more a student debate club that was sympathetic to young workers and the union movement.

It fought for general elections in which both men and women could vote, free access to universities, and against bourgeoisie science.

The resistance to nationalist and anti-semitic movements at universities led to discrimination and attacks against members of the Socialist Students and led finally to the prohibition of the VSStÖ during the Austrofascism period until the end of World War II.

On the ideological basis of Marxism, the VSStÖ has subsequently fought for free and open access to universities, sufficient social funds for students, gender equality, and has taken an active role in the peace movement as well as the anti-globalisation.

In a coalition with the Greens, the VSStÖ became the president of the national Student Union in 2001 and remained in this position until 2007.