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

Summer semester 2025:

  • Application and admission period: from 7 January to 31 March 2025
  • Semester start: 1 March

Winter semester 2025/26:

  • Application and admission period: from 14 July to 31 October 2025
  • Semester start: 1 October

Summer semester 2026:

  • Application and admission period: from 7 January to 31 March 2026
  • 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, obtaining a semester pass of the Wiener Linien, 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

Your steps in the admission procedure vary, depending on if you were already admitted at the University of Vienna (to a degree or non-degree programme), or if you study at the University of Vienna for the first time. 

You have never been admitted at the University of Vienna?

  1. Book an online appointment via our appointment-booking tool
    The admission to the non-degree programme is completed online via video chat.
    Choose a suitable service at "master programmes", depending on your citizenship. Important: Enter "non-degree programme" in the field u:account/u:space User ID in the last step of the booking procedure. Thereby we are able to correctly allocate the appointment.
    Detailed information on booking an appointment
    As your identity needs to be verified for admission, you have to complete this step in person. Representation by third parties is not possible
  2. You will be preliminarily admitted to a non-degree programme
    You will receive an e-mail with your student ID number and information on further steps. 
  3. Pay the tuition fee/Students' Union fee after the appointment
    Once the prescribed fee is received by the University of Vienna, the admission procedure is complete. You can download your study documents (student record sheet and confirmation of enrolment) in u:space > Personal matters > My documents.  

You were admitted at the University of Vienna in the past?

  1. Apply for admission to a non-degree programme 
    Message us via the Servicedesk within the admission period. Attach a scan of your valid passport or personal ID card (front and back) to your message. 
  2. Wait for an answer
    The Admission Office will process your request. This may take up to five working days. We will inform you, as soon as you have been admited to the non-degree programme. Also check your spam folder. 
  3. Afterwards, pay the tuition fee/Students' Union fee
    Once the prescribed fee is received by the University of Vienna, the admission procedure is complete. 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.