Admission to master programmes with selection procedure (degree from another university)

Detailed information on the admission to master programmes with selection procedure (except Psychology) for prospective students who

  • have completed a bachelor/diploma programme
  • at another university/university of applied sciences than the University of Vienna.

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Please note:

  • Generally speaking you must have completed your degree programme when applying for admission. However, if you are near completion, an individual assessment of your study progress will determine whether you may participate in the selection procedure. No more than 30 ECTS may be left until completion. Please note: you have to complete your degree programme before 30 September (and submit the official higher education degree certificate until then). Please merge your transcript of records into one PDF file. Upload this file in your application for admission, so your study progress can be assessed.  
  • You must hold an eligible higher education degree of at least three years from a post-secondary educational institution.
  • Submit your complete application for admission with easily legible high-quality scans of your documents.
  • The processing of your residence permit (if required) by the Austrian embassy/consulate takes time.

 Deadlines

Application period for the academic year 2025/26:

  • from 3 March to 7 April 2025

Winter semester 2025/26:

  • Admission period: from 14 July to 31 October 2025
  • Semester start: 1 October

Summer semester 2026:

  • Admission period: from 7 January to 31 March 2026
  • Semester start: 1 March 

Schedule of the academic year

 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 

  • Higher education degree certificate and transcripts/diploma supplement (at least 150 ECTS for a bachelor degree with 180 ECTS) 
  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Letter of motivation
  • Proof of English language proficiency
  • Proof of other requirements prescribed in the curriculum

You can find detailed information regarding the content and structure of your letter of motivation and further documents on the overview page of the individual degree programme. Choose the appropriate degree programme at Admission > Master programmes.

You do not need a proof of German language proficiency. 

 Your steps in the admission procedure

Step 1: Prepare the required documents

  1. Scan all required documents and save them in the appropriate format. Make sure that your files are easily readable and provided in high quality. 
  2. Merge multiple pages of the same document into one PDF file using an online tool of your choice (e.g. higher education degree certificate + transcripts/diploma supplement + legalisation + translation).

Prepare all required documents before the beginning of the application period. Thereby, you can apply for admission with complete documents as soon as the application period starts. 

Step 2: Apply for admission

  1. Create your u:account in u:space within the application period. Make sure to remember your login data. You will need your u:account during your studies. 
  2. Log into u:space to complete the registration and select the degree programme of your choice.
  3. Upload the required documents. 
  4. Check the summary to see if the data you have entered is correct (especially your e-mail address) and choose "submit application". 

When the status of your application is "submitted" in u:space > Studies > Apply for admission > My applications, the Admission Office can process your application.

Missing documents delay the processing of your application. Only submit your application once you have uploaded all required documents. 

 Registration in u:space

Step 3: Wait for the admission letter

After you have applied for admission, you have to wait for your admission letter. This takes several weeks. The Admission Office reviews your documents, the selection committee allocates the study places. In the beginning/middle of June you will be informed if you receive a study place and may be admitted. You will receive your admission letter via e-mail to the e-mail address you have provided in u:space. You can also find it in u:space > Personal matters > My documents.

The admission letter is only valid for the winter semester you have applied for and the following summer semester. We recommend starting your studies in the winter semester.

Having received the admission letter does not mean that you are already admitted to the degree programme, but rather that you have received a study place and that an admission to the degree programme you have applied for is possible. You still have to complete the admission procedure as described in step 4 and 5. 

Step 4: Admission to the degree programme

This is how you complete the admission procedure:

  1. Book an appointment for online first-time admission by using our appointment-booking tool.
    Detailed information on how to book an appointment
    As your identity needs to be verified, you have to complete this step in person. Representation by third parties is not possible.
  2. After the online appointment you will be preliminarily admitted to the degree programme. You will receive an e-mail with your student ID number and information regarding further steps.  

It is in your own best interest to complete the admission procedure as early as possible, so you do not miss any registration deadlines for courses. 

Step 5: Pay the tuition fee/Students' Union fee and order the u:card

Pay the tuition fee/Students’ Union fee after your appointment. The admission is complete as soon as the prescribed fee is "received" in u:space > Financial matters > Tuition fee/Students’ Union fee. Then you can also order and validate your student ID card, the u:card. 

You can also print your study documents (student record sheet and confirmation of enrolment) in u:space > Personal matters > My documents. 

After admission you can plan your semester and register for courses. The registration deadlines are available in the course directory u:find as well as in u:space. 

 FAQ

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  • Can I submit the application with a certificate for English that is not in the list of accepted certificates?

    No, only language certificates listed as recognised proofs of English language proficiency are accepted.

  • I have received my admission letter, what do I need to do now? Am I already admitted to my degree programme?

    No, you still have to complete the admission procedure (see steps 4 and 5 above). Only then you are admitted to the degree programme and able to start your studies.

  • Do I have to be admitted to be able to travel to Austria?

    If you hold a non-EU citizenship, contact the responsible Austrian representation (embassy/consulate), to inquire if you need a residence permit for Austria and how to enter the country. The Austrian representation will inform you about the required documents for your application for a residence permit.

  • Do I need a proof of German language proficiency at level A2?

    Among all master programmes with selection procedure, only the master programme in Psychology is instructed in German. For all other master programmes with selection procedure no proof of German language proficiency is required. 

  • When will I know if I can be admitted?

    You will be informed if you can be admitted to the degree programme in the beginning/middle of June . 

  • My bachelor programme is not yet completed. Can I still apply for admission?

    Generally speaking you must have completed your degree programme when applying for admission. However, if you are near completion, an individual assessment of your study progress will determine whether you may participate in the selection procedure. No more than 30 ECTS may be left until completion. Please note: you have to complete your degree programme before 30 September (and submit the official higher education degree certificate until then). Please merge your transcript of records into one PDF file. Upload this file in your application for admission, so your study progress can be assessed. 

  • My documents are from a non-EU/EEA country. Is there anything else I should keep in mind?

    If your documents are from certain countries, you have to fulfil specific requirements. For example, you need a certain CGPA if your degree is from Pakistan. Detailed info about all additionally required documents is available on our website for students from third countries. 

    Please also keep in mind that your documents might also have to be legalised (depending on the issuing country). 

  • How long is my admission letter valid?

    Your admission letter is valid for the winter semester you applied for and the following summer semester. We recommend beginning your studies in the winter semester. 

    Schedule of the academic year

  • In which master programmes with selection procedure may supplementary examinations be prescribed?

    Supplementary examinations from the bachelor programme to compensate fundamental subject-specific differences may only be prescribed in the master programmes Science-Technology-Society and Middle European interdisciplinary master's programme in Cognitive Science (MEi:CogSci).

    In all other master programmes with selection procedure you will either get an admission letter without any supplementary examinations (if you receive a study place) or a rejection letter (if you do not receive a study place). 

  • I can't find my master programme in the list in u:space – why?

    Please note that the application periods for admission to master programmes with selection procedure and master programmes without selection procedure differ. Make sure, if the application period for the desired master programme is currently open. Only then will it appear in the drop-down menu.

  • How many study places are available each academic year?

    Each academic year, between 30 and 50 places are allocated per degree programme.