The age of the Reformation began with the so-called "Thesenanschlag" of Martin Luther on October 31, 1517. The dissemination of the teachings of Luther, who strictly rejected universities as papal institutions, led to a dramatic decline of student numbers in the Holy Roman Empire in the 1520s – also at the University of Vienna. In addition, newly founded Protestant schools and universities competed with the existing Catholic institutions.
The education system became an object and instrument of confessional conflicts. Under Archduke Ferdinand I, profound reforms began to take place at the University of Vienna, aiming at eliminating the idea of reformation: both students (e.g. through scholarships) and professors were examined for their "right faith". The recatholization of the Vienna University led to the appointment of the Society of Jesus to Vienna in 1551.
