Your secondary-school leaving certificate is from a non-EU/EEA country and you would like to start a bachelor/diploma programme instructed in German at the University of Vienna? Then this blog post is for you! We explain what you need to do to be admitted to your dream degree programme.
Step 1: Think about what you would like to study
The University of Vienna offers over 50 bachelor/diploma programmes. You can find an overview of our degree programmes on our website. Select a degree programme from the list to find out more about the structure, content and organisation. If you cannot find your desired degree programme on this list, then it is not offered by us.
You’ve found your dream degree programme? Then it’s time for step 2!
Step 2: Inform yourself about the admission procedure
What do you need and when? And how do you apply for admission to the degree programme? You can find all the necessary information on our website.
Find out about the deadlines first. There is an application period – during this time you must submit your application for admission to the degree programme. Then the admission period starts. Within the admission period you can complete the admission procedure.
Read the admission requirements carefully so that you are well prepared for the next application period. On our website you will find a step-by-step guide through the admission procedure as well as the application periods, the required documents and which language certificates you need. Select the relevant degree programme from the list of bachelor/diploma programmes. Then select the category that applies to you (country of your secondary-school leaving certificate and level of your German language skills).
Step 3: Apply for admission
The time has come! The application period has started and you have prepared all the required documents including your proof of German language proficiency at level A2 or higher. You can now submit your application in u:space. Once the status of your application is ‘submitted’, it’s time to wait. The Admissions Office will check your documents. This can take several weeks due to the large number of applications. Once we have checked your application and everything is in order, we will send you your admission letter. This means that you are allowed to study at the University of Vienna. However, you are not yet admitted. You can continue with the next step.
Step 4: Complete the admission procedure
Once you have received your admission letter, there are two options:
Option 1: You are prescribed supplementary examinations
This happens if you do not yet have German language skills at level C1 or your secondary-school leaving certificate differs fundamentally from an Austrian one. To complete the supplementary examinations, you register at the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities (VWU). You will receive a confirmation of registration from the VWU. Next, before the end of the admission period, you have to book an appointment for online first-time admission by the end of the admission period at the latest. During this online appointment, we will check your identity and compare your documents with the ones uploaded to u:space. We will then preliminarily admit you to a non-degree programme (= attending the VWU). Now you just have to pay the Student’s Union fee. Once we have received it, you will be admitted to the non-degree programme.
You can only be admitted to the degree programme once you have passed all supplementary examinations. On our website on completion of the VWU and transfer to a bachelor/diploma programme we explain what you need to do once you have passed all examinations.
Option 2: You are not prescribed any supplementary examinations
Hooray! You can book an appointment for your online first-time admission within the registration period. During this online appointment, we will check your identity and compare your documents with the ones you uploaded in u:space. We will then preliminarily admit you to the degree programme. Now all you have to do is pay the tuition fee/Student’s Union fee. Once we have received it, you are admitted.
Step 5: Plan your studies
Have you successfully completed the admission procedure? Welcome to the University of Vienna! To make it easier for you to start your degree programme, we have collected helpful tips and tricks for organising your studies. You can also find all the information you need for a successful start to your semester at the University of Vienna in our blog post “Easing into the start of the semester”. We wish you every success with your studies!
Where can I find more information?
- You can find all information about German language proficiency on our website.
- Questions about the VWU? Here we explain everything you need to know about studying in the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities.
- Read our blog on German language skills and supplementary examinations.
- Here you can find the VWU directly.
