With a student body of more than 3000, the Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien (MDW) is one of the largest arts universities in the world.

The University consists of 25 departments including the Max Reinhardt Seminar, Vienna Film Academy and the Wiener Klangstil.

MDW facilities include the Schönbrunn Palace Theater, Antonio Vivaldi Room, Salesian Convent, St. Ursula Church, Lothringerstrasse (Franz Liszt Room) and the Anton Von Webern Platz (university main campus).

The MDW may be considered a "feeder" institution to all major orchestras in Austria, with a particular association with the Vienna Philharmonic.

It was meant to be modeled on the Paris Conservatory, but, due to a lack of funds, it began solely as a singing school.

Despite growing state subsidies, The Society for the Friends of Music, which founded the Conservatory, remained in control of the institution.

In 1912, attempting to rejuvenate the Conservatory Bopp offered teaching positions to Franz Schreker and Arnold Schoenberg.

The administration of the Academy was now assigned to a state-appointed president, an artistic director and a board of trustees.

President Karl Ritter von Wiener resigned and conductor Ferdinand Löwe was elected director by the teachers.

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