If you’re looking for a university with strong academics and a multicultural environment, the University of Vienna may be a good fit. The university has about 87,000 students. Around one-third of its student body is non-Austrian, with students representing approximately 140 nations. It also offers a broad range of programs in fields including the humanities, natural sciences, and law.
Applying to the University of Vienna may involve program-specific entrance or aptitude test procedures, language proficiency requirements, and, for international applicants, separate visa or residence permit arrangements. This article provides practical tips and an overview of the application process to help make each step as straightforward as possible.
Admissions Process at the University of Vienna
Do you want to apply to the University of Vienna? Here is a step-by-step guide to the admission process:
Step 1. Select a Program and Check the Admission Criteria
Before beginning your application, choose a program that matches your interests, academic background, and career goals. You should then review the official program page and curriculum carefully because admission criteria, required documents, deadlines, language requirements, and entrance procedures vary by program.
German is the general language of instruction at the University of Vienna, although the university also offers English-taught and multilingual programs. Most bachelor’s and diploma programs are taught primarily in German and require German proficiency at level C1. One exception is the English-taught Mathematical Foundations of Data Science bachelor’s program, which requires English at level B2 and does not require German. International Legal Studies is a bilingual German-English bachelor’s program.
English-taught master’s programs include Applied Economics, Banking and Finance, and Computer Science. These programs require English proficiency at level B2. The Anglophone Literatures and Cultures master’s program requires English proficiency at level C1. Always check the individual program page because some programs have additional academic, language, or selection requirements.
Step 2. Complete the Online Application
The second step is to apply for your preferred degree program through the u:space portal within the applicable application period. Required documents vary according to the program, your citizenship, and the country in which your qualifications were issued. They may include a valid passport or identity card, a secondary-school leaving certificate for bachelor’s or diploma applications, and a higher education degree certificate and transcripts for master’s applications. Language certificates, legalizations, and sworn translations may also be required.
Programs with an entrance or aptitude test procedure generally include an Online Self-Assessment (OSA). The OSA is not graded and is intended to help applicants understand the program’s content and determine whether it matches their expectations. Psychology is an exception and does not have an OSA. Whether a written entrance examination takes place may depend on the number of applicants and available places, while aptitude tests are conducted under the rules stated for the relevant program. Review the program’s official admission page and submit your application within the designated period.
Step 3. Submit Your Documents
After you submit your application and supporting documents through u:space, the Admission Office reviews them. Processing usually takes several weeks, and the university generally cannot provide individual updates while an application is under review. You will receive the admission letter at the email address entered in u:space. It will also appear under “Personal matters” and “My documents” in u:space.
The admission letter states whether admission has been granted, granted subject to conditions or supplementary examinations, or refused. Depending on the program and your previous qualifications, some supplementary examinations may have to be completed before regular admission, while certain subject-specific examinations for a master’s program may be completed after admission within the deadline stated by the university.
Step 4. Book an Appointment For Online First-Time Admission
The University of Vienna now completes first-time admission either through the Servicedesk or, when specifically required, through an online appointment with the Admission Office. Applicants beginning a bachelor’s, diploma, or master’s program normally contact the Servicedesk to complete this step. The university may ask an applicant to attend an online appointment, and an appointment is also required in certain cases involving the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities.
For bachelor’s and diploma programs, applicants whose educational background is from an EU or EEA country can generally contact the Servicedesk once their application status is “submitted.” Applicants with educational documents from a non-EU or non-EEA country, as well as applicants to master’s programs, should normally wait for their admission letter before contacting the Servicedesk. Follow the instructions in your admission letter and on the official first-time admission page.
If the university asks you to attend an online appointment, have your valid passport or identity card and all documents uploaded with your application available as originals or notarized copies. Depending on your application, this may include school or university certificates, transcripts, language certificates, translations, and legalizations.
Step 5. Pay The Tuition Fee
After you have been preliminarily admitted, you will receive an email containing your student ID number and information about the applicable tuition and Students’ Union fees. Your admission is complete once the prescribed fee is shown as “received” under “Financial matters” in u:space. You can then order and validate your student ID card, the u:card.
The amount due depends on your citizenship, enrollment status, duration of study, and any applicable exemption. EU, EEA, and Swiss students are generally exempt from tuition during the standard program duration plus two tolerance semesters, although they must still pay the Students’ Union fee each semester. Non-EU and non-EEA students generally pay tuition from their first semester unless an exemption applies.
Step 6. Enroll in Courses
Once your admission is complete and any supplementary examinations required before regular admission have been completed, you can plan your semester and register for courses. Some supplementary examinations attached to admission to a master’s program may instead be completed after admission within the university’s specified deadline.
The compulsory modules, elective requirements, and other components of your degree are listed in the curriculum for your degree program. You can also contact the StudiesServiceCenter (SSC) or StudiesServiceUnit (SSS) responsible for your program if you have questions about courses, examinations, registration, grades, or the recognition of previous studies.
Tips to Get Into the University of Vienna
Are you still concerned about your application to the University of Vienna? The following tips may help you prepare a complete and accurate application:
Tip 1. Prepare for Entrance Exams
An entrance or aptitude test is required only for certain programs. If your chosen program has one, use the university’s official test literature, sample exercises, and test-structure information for the relevant academic year. The subjects and skills assessed differ by program, so focus on the materials listed for your specific examination rather than relying on a general preparation guide.
Tip 2. Submit a Portfolio or Motivation Letter
Submit a portfolio or motivation letter only when the official program page or curriculum lists it as a required application document. Requirements concerning content, format, language, length, and submission method vary by program. If your program requires one, these guides to creating a portfolio and writing a motivation letter may help, but you should always follow the University of Vienna’s program-specific instructions first.
Tip 3. Start Your Application Early
Submitting an application does not complete the admission process. You must also complete first-time admission through the Servicedesk or, when instructed, an online appointment, and pay the prescribed fee within the applicable admission period. Applying early leaves time for document legalizations and translations, admission processing, course registration, and any required visa or residence permit application. For an initial Residence Permit – Student, official Austrian guidance recommends applying six months in advance, if possible, because processing normally takes up to 90 days and may take longer if additional documents are requested.
Applying to the University of Vienna requires careful attention to the admission criteria, language requirements, documents, entrance procedures, and deadlines that apply to your chosen program. Preparing your documents and applying as early as possible can help you complete the remaining admission and residence formalities before classes begin.
Hopefully, this guide will encourage you to apply to the University of Vienna. To explore more study options, visit our Austria Page and Available Programs in Europe!
