Admission to the bachelor programme

Detailed information on the admission procedure for applicants with

  • secondary-school leaving certificate from a non-EU/EEA country and
  • German language level below C1

Apply for admission to a degree programme in u:space in due time, wait for your admission letter and complete the admission procedure personally.

 Deadlines

EU/EEA/CH citizenship

The following deadlines apply for EU/EEA/CH citizens and groups of persons according to the Decree on Groups of Persons.

Summer semester 2025:

  • Application period: from 11 November 2024 to 5 February 2025
  • Admission period: from 7 January to 31 March 2025
  • Semester start: 1 March

Winter semester 2025/26:

  • Application period: to be announced
  • Admission period: to be announced
  • Semester start: 1 October

Schedule of the academic year

Non-EU/EEA citizenship

The following deadlines apply for citizens of non-EU/EEA countries.

Summer semester 2025:

  • Application period: from 11 November 2024 to 8 January 2025
  • Admission period: from 7 January to 31 March 2025
  • Semester start: 1 March

Winter semester 2025/26:

  • Application period: to be announced
  • Admission period: to be announced
  • Semester start: 1 October

Schedule of the academic year

 Registration for the University Preparation Programme

Keep in mind the registration deadlines of the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities (VWU).

 Required documents

for the registration in u:space

  • your valid passport or personal ID card (front and back!) as JPEG or PNG file

for the application for admission

  • all pages (!) of your original secondary-school leaving certificate
  • list of subjects in its original version
    • together with a sworn translation (if not issued in German or English)
    • merged into one PDF file
  • if available, transcripts/diplomas in their original version (in case you have already studied at a university)
    • together with the required legalisation according to the issuing country
    • plus sworn translation (if not issued in German or English)
    • merged into one PDF file
  • proof of German language proficiency at level A2 or higher merged into one PDF file
  • if applicable proof of belonging to a group of persons according to the Decree on Groups of Persons

 Your steps in the admission procedure

 

 

Step 1: Complete the Online-Self-Assessment (OSA)

Take one or two hours to complete the Online-Self-Assessment (OSA). Even though you do not have sufficient German knowledge yet, you are required to take the OSA.

After having completed the OSA, you receive your OSA code. You will need it in the further procedure.

Step 2: Prepare the required documents

In order to be able to apply for admission to the degree programme as soon as possible, prepare the required documents before the start of the application period.

  1. Scan all required documents and save them in proper format. Make sure that your files are easily readable and provided in high quality.
  2. Merge several pages of the same document (e.g. front and back of the secondary-school leaving certificate plus legalisation and translation) into one PDF file by means of an online tool of your choice.

Step 3: Apply for admission

  1. 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.
  2. Log in to u:space, complete the registration and select the degree programme of your choice. Upload the required documents.
  3. Enter the OSA code. 
  4. Click on "continue to submission" and check the summary to see if the data you entered (especially your e-mail address) is correct. Then, click on “submit application".

Now, the status of your application is “submitted”.

The Admission Office will process your application for admission to the degree programme. Due to the high number of applications, it may take several weeks until you receive an official notice to the e-mail address entered in u:space.

 Registration in u:space

Step 4: Register for the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities (VWU)

Together with your admission letter, you receive information about your further steps in the admission procedure and the supplementary examinations you will have to pass at the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities (VWU) before starting with your degree programme. Apart from German, supplementary examinations in Mathematics, English or History/Geography may be prescribed. Further supplementary examinations may also be prescribed.

Follow the indications in the e-mail you have received together with the admission letter and register for the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities (VWU).

Step 5: Admission

As your identity needs to be verified, you have to complete this step in person. Representation by third parties is not possible.

This is how you complete the admission procedure: 

  1. Once you are registered at the VWU, book an appointment for online first-time admission by using our appointment-booking tool before the end of the admission period.
    Detailed information on how to book an appointment
    You will be admitted to a non-degree programme (for the purpose of attending the preparation programme). You cannot yet start with your degree programme and are only allowed to take supplementary examinations at the VWU. After the admission you will receive an e-mail.
  2. Pay the Students' Union fee after your appointment. The admission is completed as soon as the prescribed fee is received in u:space > Financial Matters > Tuition fees/Students' Union fee. 

The admission to the degree programme is only possible after having successfully passed all supplementary examinations.

Step 6: Order the u:card

As soon as the Students' Union fee is received, you can order your student ID card, the u:card.

Furthermore, you can print out your student documents (student record sheet and confirmation of enrolment) in u:space > Personal matters > My documents.

 FAQ

/

  • Are there any bachelor programmes taught in English?

    No, even if several courses are taught entirely or partly in another language, one of the admission requirements for all bachelor/diploma programmes at the University of Vienna is German. 

    Because of this, a proof of language proficiency in German at level C1 is required for the admission to any bachelor/diploma programme.

    Here you can find all information on the required German language skills.

  • I have a GCE ("Britsh A-Levels"). What do I have to bear in mind?

    You can be admitted to a degree programme at the University of Vienna, if your GCE meets the following requirements:

    Four general subjects that are independent from one another have to be completed with grade A*, A, B or C (respectively grades 9 - 4). These subjects must include:

    1. a language
    2. Mathematics
    3. one of the subjects Biology, Physics or Chemistry
    4. a subject of the Humanities

    At least THREE of these subjects must be passed at GCE Advanced Level (A-Level).
    The fourth subject must be passed at the level GCE “Advanced Subsidary Level (=AS-Level) or at the GCSE/IGCSE level respectively.

    If one of the subjects passed at A-Level is German, it can be accepted as proof German language proficiency at level A2 in the admission procedure. This does not replace the proof of German language proficiency at level C1 that is required upon admission.

    Detailed information on the proof of German language proficiency

  • Can I already know before applying which supplementary exams I will have to pass?

    This is not possible as it will be determined individually during the processing of your documents.

  • My secondary-school leaving certificate is from Pakistan. What do I have to keep in mind?

    If your secondary-school leaving certificate is from Pakistan you must fulfill the following criteria: 

    • You have attended a school with at least 12 years and 
    • you have completed the Intermediate Examination/Higher Secondary Certificate and
    • you hade a good grade average of A or B (success rate at least 80 %) in Grade 10, 11 and 12 and 
    • you had the following subjects according to § 64 para 2 Universities Act 2002 (UG) in Grade 12:
      • two languages 
      • mathematics
      • one subjects in the natural sciences 
      • one subjects in the humanities 
      • one general education subject

    Do not forget: All documents have to be diplomatically certified (i.e. legalised) first and then translated into German or English by an official, court-appointed translation agency. 

  • My secondary-school leaving certificate is from Afghanistan or Bangladesh. What do I have to keep in mind?

    If you only have a secondary-school leaving certificate from Afghanistan or Bangladesh, you cannot be admitted to a bachelor or diploma programme at the University of Vienna. The secondary-school leaving certificate from Afghanistan (12-Grade Graduation Certificate) or Bangladesh (Higher Secondary Certificate) is not is not adequate as proof of the general university entrance qualification. The differences to a secondary-school leaving certificate from Austria are too large. Your application for admission will therefore be rejected. 

    If your secondary-school leaving certificate is from Afghanistan or Bangladesh and you also have already completed a bachelor programme you can submit an application for admission to a bachelor or diploma programme. Each application has to be processed individually. Your degree programme must fulfil the following criteria: 

    • the duration of the programme must be at least three years full-time or 180 ECTS (e.g. a three-year bachelor programme) and
    • the programme must be completed successfully and 
    • the programme must be completed at a recognised educational institution. 

    Do not forget: All documents have to be diplomatically certified (i.e. legalised) first and then translated into German or English by an official, court-appointed translation agency. 

  • I already have a university degree. Can I apply with this certificate instead of my secondary-school leaving certificate?

    Yes, if your higher education degree certificate is from a degree programme with a duration of at least three years (full time or at least 180 ECTS, e.g. a three-year bachelor programme) at a recognised post-secondary educational institution.

  • Shall I prepare for the OSA? How long does it take and will it be evaluated?

    You do not have to prepare for the OSA. It serves the purpose of evaluating yourself and your previous knowledge.

    Depending on which OSA you do, you will need between 30 and 70 minutes. There is no time limit, so you can take as much time as you need.

    The result of the OSA is only available to you.

  • I have interrupted the Online-Self-Assessment. Can I take it again?

    You may interrupt the OSA and continue with it later, however, this is not recommended. 

  • Can I complete the Online-Self-Assessment anytime?

    Yes, you can complete the OSA anytime. The OSA code is valid for 18 months.

  • I have previously completed the OSA. Do I have to do it again?

    It can be used if your OSA code is not older than 18 months, and you have not applied for admission with this OSA code yet.