We strongly encourage you to READ the entire blog post and follow the suggested links. We cannot offer any individual assistance via the comment thread or other social media outlets. ALL information you need on how to apply can be found in the blog post and on the website Studying at the University of Vienna.
Update: November 2023
How to get started – studying a bachelor/diploma or master programme
“I would like to study at your university. How can I apply?” This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive on Facebook or Instagram.
It is not easy to give a concrete answer, as this depends on various factors such as your citizenship, the issuing country of your secondary-school leaving certificate/degree and the degree programme you are interested in.
Keep in mind that the processing of international applications takes several weeks. Unfortunately, this often collides with the duration of visa applications, which may result in missed deadlines. We therefore recommend applying at the beginning of the application period. The application period depends on your citizenship. So inform yourself early on, which application period applies to you.
An ideal starting point is the website Studying at the University of Vienna, where most questions regarding the application and admission procedure for bachelor/diploma and master programmes at the University of Vienna are answered.
To make things easier for you, we have collected FAQs of international applicants who are interested in studying at the University of Vienna. Here, an additional 5 step guide to applying at the university can be found.
1. Which degree programmes can I study at the University of Vienna?
Are you interested in a bachelor/diploma or master programme?
You can find an overview of all bachelor/diploma and master programmes offered at the University of Vienna as well as detailed information regarding the individual degree programmes on the website Studying at the University of Vienna.
Note: The University of Vienna does not offer any medical programmes (Medicine, Dentistry). These are offered at the Medical University of Vienna.
2. How do I apply for a specific programme?
Information on how to apply:
- for bachelor/diploma programmes
- for master programmes
Follow the respective link for the programme you are interested in. There you’ll find information on the required documents, deadlines and steps in the application and admission procedure. These depend, among other things, on the issuing country of your secondary-school leaving certificate (for admission to bachelor/diploma programmes) and where you completed your previous degree programme (for admission to master programmes).
Do not work with agencies offering to process your application! Agencies are not permitted to apply on behalf of students according to § 60 para 6 Universities Act 2002. Applications submitted by agencies will be rejected without exception. The University of Vienna does not have any cooperation agreements (except for exchange programmes such as Erasmus+). If you are interested in studying at the University of Vienna, you have to apply for admission yourself. Our online application process is very easy – you can find step-by-step instructions on the website Studying at the University of Vienna. If you apply for admission as a non-EU/EEA citizen or without EU/EEA secondary school-leaving certificate/higher education degree, you will receive a “Zulassungsbescheid” (admission letter). With this document, you can apply for a student visa. Please consult the responsible Austrian representation (embassy/consulate) to find out if you have to meet any further requirements.
Please keep in mind that the number of study places is limited for some degree programmes. Therefore, an entrance exam procedure or selection procedure is conducted for these degree programmes. You can only be admitted to degree programmes with entrance exam/selection procedure in the summer semester if you have already successfully participated in the entrance exam/selection procedure for this academic year. The application period for the next academic year will be announced on our website:
- bachelor/diploma programmes with entrance exam procedure
- master programmes with selection procedure
After reading the information on the website, your head is spinning and you still have questions about the admission procedure? There’s a simple solution! Come to Let’s Talk from April to June and talk to experts from our Admissions team on site. Read the information about Let’s Talk and book an appointment.
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3. Do I need to be able to speak German if I want to study at the University of Vienna?
Bachelor programmes
The language of instruction for all bachelor/diploma programmes at the University of Vienna is German, even if individual courses are instructed (partly) in another language. Therefore, you already need a proof of German language proficiency at level A2 or higher to apply for admission. You can only attend a German course at the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities if you already have a proof of German language proficiency at level A2. For admission to the degree programme, you need a proof of German language proficiency at level C1.
The bachelor programme in International Legal Studies is instructed in German and English. Therefore, you have to submit a proof of German language proficiency of at least level A2, as well as a proof of English language proficiency at level B2 or higher in your application.
Read this blog post with the most important facts about the proof of German knowledge carefully.
Master programmes
Some master programmes are instructed in English. For these programmes, you do not need to provide a proof of German language proficiency. However, for some of them you might need to participate in a selection procedure. For multilingual master programmes (taught in German and English/other languages) a proof of German language proficiency is also required.
4. How much is the tuition fee?
The amount of the tuition fee depends on your citizenship. In addition to the tuition fee, you also have to pay the Students’ Union fee (22,70 Euro per semester for the academic year 2023/24).
- Detailed information regarding the amount and payment of the tuition fee
Scholarships
The University of Vienna does not offer any wide ranged funding options. The website Studying at the University of Vienna provides detailed information regarding financial matters such as discounts, allowances and scholarships for students of the University of Vienna. Further information regarding all scholarships and research grants offered in Austria is available in the database of the OeAD – Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation.
5. How can I finance my studies in Vienna/Austria?
Whether or not you are allowed to work in Austria depends on your citizenship and the kind of employment you would like to obtain. If you are a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country, it also depends on your residence permit.
- Detailed information regarding working in Austria
- General information about studying and living in Vienna
6. I cannot find what I am looking for, please help me!
Many services of the University of Vienna provide help for students, applicants and people interested in studying at our university. Who is best suited to help you, depends on your question. We have compiled a list and explanations of the most important services. There you can find out, who is best suited to answer your question.
The staff of the University of Vienna can only provide help with questions regarding degree programmes that we offer. If you have questions regarding degree programmes offered at other universities, you have to contact the respective institution. For example, if you need help regarding the admission procedure for a degree in Medicine, please contact the Medical University of Vienna.
We also cannot offer any help or information regarding visa applications and residence permits. If you have any questions in this regard, contact the responsible Austrian representation (embassy, consulate…). The Federal Ministry of the Republic of Austria for European and International Affairs provides a list of all Austrian representations worldwide.
Detailed important information regarding…
- the degree programmes offered
- the application and admission procedure
- bachelor/diploma programmes with entrance exam procedure
- the organisation of your studies
- tuition fee/Students’ Union fee
… is available on our website. Once you have gathered all necessary information as well as the required documents, make sure that the application period for your degree programme is open and you are ready to apply! The processing of requests and applications takes time, as we receive a high number of requests.
Thank you for your interest in the University of Vienna. We look forward to welcoming you as a student soon!
More blogposts
Have a look at the blogposts about the application and admission process at the University of Vienna:
- 5 easy steps to admission
- FAQs about required language skills, supplementary examinations and accepted language certificates
Any questions about starting your studies?
- “10 things I wish I had known before starting university”
- FAQs about starting your studies in summer semester
- Who can help me with…? Services for Studying and Living
Follow this link for general information about studying at the University of Vienna studying.univie.ac.at.
