Non-degree programme to make up for qualitative admission requirements

Qualitative admission requirements (QZB) are binding and determine which knowledge and competencies are required for admission to a specific master programme. You have received a rejection letter, because you do not fulfil the qualitative admission requirements? You can make up for the qualitative admission requirements in a non-degree programme. Therefore, you will not be admitted to a specific degree programme, but to "attending individual courses". 

You can complete courses for example from extension curricula (EC) and thereby you are able to fulfil the qualitative admission requirements. Inform yourself which courses the EC consists of and register for these courses. A registration for the EC as a non-degree student is neither required nor possible technically. 

 Required documents

  • valid passport or personal ID card in original form

 Deadlines

Winter semester 2026/27:

  • Application and admission period: from 13 July to 31 October 2026
  • Semester start: 1 October

Summer semester 2027:

  • Application and admission period: from 11 January to 31 March 2027
  • Semester start: 1 March

Schedule of the academic year

Consequences of a non-degree programme

  • Examination attempts in the non-degree programme also count for the degree programme. If all examination attempts are graded negatively in the non-degree programme, you are permanently excluded from the degree programme and cannot be admitted to this programme at the University of Vienna. 
  • You have to pay the tuition fee as well as the Students' Union fee, irrespective of your citizenship. 
  • You are not admitted to a specific degree programme, but to attending individual courses ("Besuch einzelner Lehrveranstaltungen"). 
  • The admission to a non-degree programme is possibile until the end of the admission period. However, the registration deadlines for courses end before the beginning of the semester in some cases. Therefore, it is possible that you miss these deadlines. 
  • Students admitted to a degree programme are favoured in the allocation of course places. If you have any questions regarding the registration for courses and examinations, please contact the StudiesServiceCenter or StudiesServiceUnit of the degree programme in which the courses are offered. 
  • You are only allowed to take individual examinations/courses and must comply with the curriuclum's registration requirements. Furthermore, you are not allowed to take any public defenses. Graduating is not possible.
  • There might be restrictions/limitations when it comes to health insurance, residence permit and financial assistance. Please make an inquiry at the responsible authority about the consequences of your non-degree programme up front. 

Admission to a non-degree programme

  1. Register in u:space
    If this is your first time studying at the University of Vienna: Activate your u:account in u:space within the application period. Make sure you remember the login data, because you will further need the u:account during your studies. Log in to u:space, complete the registration.
  2. Apply for admission to a non-degree programme
    Log into the Servicedesk with your u:account and let us know that you want to be admitted to a non-degree programme. 
  3. Wait for an answer
    Once you have been (preliminarily) admitted, you will receive an e-mail containing important information. Please read this e-mail carefully. Please note: The University of Vienna reserves the right to invite you to an online appointment. 
  4. Pay the tuition fee/Students' Union fee.
    The admission is completed as soon as the prescribed fee is received in u:space > Financial Matters > Tuition fee/Students' Union fee. Afterwards, you can download your study documents (student record sheet and confirmation of enrolment) in u:space > Personal matters > My documents.  

Creating a semester schedule and ordering the u:card

As soon as your tuition fee has been received by the University of Vienna, you can validate your student ID card, the u:card or order it if you do not yet have one.

Register for the required courses. The responsible StudiesServiceCenter (SSC)/ StudiesServiceUnit (SSS) will gladly help you with any questions regarding registration for courses and examination. 

What happens next?

As soon as you have completed all qualitative admission requirements, you have to submit an application for admission to the degree programme within the application period of a semester. Your application will be processed according to the prevailing legal status at that time.   

 FAQ

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  • I want to take a module examination from an extension curriculum (EC) to fulfil the QZB. How should I proceed?

    In the non-degree programme you are only admitted to "attending individual courses". Therefore, you cannot register for the extension curriculum as such. You can only complete the examinations from an EC as lecture examination, not as module examinations. If you have any questions regarding the registration for examinations, please contact the StudiesServiceCenter or StudiesServiceUnit of your degree programme. 

  • I am not able to register for a course. How shall I proceed?

    Please contact the StudiesServiceCenter or StudiesServiceUnit of the degree programme in which the course is offered. 

  • How can I switch to the degree programme?

    You have successfully completed all courses and fulfil the required qualitative admission requirements in full? Apply for admission to the desired master programme in u:space within the application period. Your application will be processed according to the prevailing legal status at that time.