German language proficiency for bachelor/diploma programmes with entrance exam procedure

A proof of German language proficiency at level A2 is needed when applying for admission to a bachelor/diploma programme.

You can participate in the entrance exam procedure before completing the supplementary examination in German at level C1. We recommend that you only participate in the entrance exam procedure, if your German language proficiency is already advanced (level B2). Thereby you can:

  • understand the questions of the written entrance exam and
  • complete the supplementary examination in German before the end of the admission period of the summer semester. 

The decision whether or not your German language proficiency is sufficient for participating in the entrance exam procedure is yours alone. You do not need to prove your knowledge of German on the day of the written entrance exam. 

No later than at the time of admission to the degree programme, you must have a proof of German language proficiency at level C1 (or higher).

Option 1: You already have a proof of German language proficiency

Apply for admission to the degree programme of your choice in u:space within the application period and upload the required documents. 

  • In your application, select "Yes, my German knowledge is sufficient. I would like to participate in the entrance exam procedure for the coming academic year."

As the final step in the application, pay the administration fee of 50 Euro. Once you have paid, you are registered for the entrance exam procedure.

Option 2: You are currently attending a German course

At the moment, you do not have any proof of German language proficiency at level C1, but you will receive it before 31 March 2025. You are planning on starting your degree programme as soon as you have the certificate, either in the winter semester 2024/25 or in the summer semester 2025. Apply for admission to the degree programme of your choice in u:space within the application period and upload the required documents.

  • In your application, select "Yes, my German knowledge is sufficient. I would like to participate in the entrance exam procedure for the coming academic year.".

As the final step in the application, pay the administration fee of 50 Euro. Once you have paid, you are registered for the entrance exam procedure.

Example: You are currently attending a German course (privately or in the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities), which you are going to finish within the next winter semester. You are planning on starting your degree programme in the summer semester 2025.

Option 3: You have little knowledge of German

Apply for admission to the degree programme of your choice in u:space within the application period and upload the required documents.

  • Select "No, my German knowledge is not yet sufficient. I want to attend a German course in the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities (VWU)."

You can submit the application for admission to the degree programme without paying the administration fee of 50 Euro for the entrance exam procedure. As soon as you have an adequate knowledge of German, you will be able to register for the entrance exam procedure for one of the upcoming academic years in u:space in due time and participate in it.

Accepted proofs C1

Only the following certificates and proofs of German language proficiency at level C1 are accepted:

Proofs C1

  • Secondary-school leaving certificate from a school where the language of instruction is German and all exams are held in German, e.g. Austrian or German schools abroad
  • Graduation from a degree programme of at least three years of study with German as language of instruction at a recognised post-secondary educational institution
  • Passing of the supplementary exam in German (Ergänzungsprüfung Deutsch) at a University Preparation Programme of an Austrian university

The above mentioned proofs are valid for an unlimited time.

Certificates C1

  • Österreichisches Sprachdiplom – ÖSD Zertifikat C1 (formerly called: C1 Oberstufe Deutsch)
  • Goethe Institut – Goethe Zertifikat C1
  • telc Deutsch „C1 Hochschule“
  • Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer StudienwerberInnen DSH2
  • Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz DSD II
  • Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (Test DaF), at least level 4 in all parts
  • Language Center of the University of Vienna – course and successfully passed exam of level C1/2
  • Österreichischer Integrationsfonds (ÖIF) - ÖIF Test (C1) or higher

These certificates must not be older than 3 years.

Accepted proofs A2

Only the following certificates and proofs of German language proficiency at level A2 are accepted:

Proofs A2

  • school report of a secondary school including the subject German
  • passed courses of 8 ECTS credits or 200 hours instructed in German within a degree programme at a recognised post-secondary educational institution

These proofs are valid for an unlimited time.

Certificates A2

  • Österreichisches Sprachdiplom – A2 (ÖSD Zertifikat A2, ZA2) or higher
  • Goethe Institut – Goethe Zertifikat A2 or higher
  • telc Deutsch - A2 or higher
  • Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz Stufe I - DSD I or higher
  • Österreichischer Integrationsfonds (ÖIF) - ÖIF Test (A2) or higher
  • Language Center of an Austrian University - successfully passed exam of level A2 or higher
  • Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (Test DaF) with at least level TDN 3 in all parts or higher

These certificates must not be older than two years.

German course in the University Preparation Programme

If you upload a proof of German language proficiency of a lower level than C1 (but at least A2), you will have the possibility of participating in a German course of the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities (VWU) or a cooperation partner. 

  • With a non-EU/EEA school leaving certificate and/or citizenship, your admission letter for a bachelor/diploma programme will require you to pass the supplementary exam in German.
  • With an EU/EEA/CH school leaving ceritificate and citizenship having applied for admission to a bachelor/diploma programme in u:space, you will receive an admission letter for the VWU course registration via e-mail after your online appointment. 
  • As an EU/EEA citizen or non-EU/EEA citizen having applied for a master programme instructed in German, your admission letter will require you to pass the supplementary exam in German.

 Important note for students in the VWU

Once you have been admitted to the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities as a non-degree student, only the supplementary exam in German (Ergänzungsprüfung Deutsch, EPD)  is accepted as a proof of German language proficiency! It is not possible to leave the preparation programme and take a German language exam elsewhere. Disregard may lead to severe consequences such as the loss of your residence permit.

Due to an agreement with the University of Vienna, persons who have quit the VWU and have passed a different German language exam in the meanwhile can still take the supplementary exam in German (EPD).

Detailed information on the new regulation

Information about the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities (VWU)