Undergraduate Admissions

The University of Vienna, established in 1365, is the oldest university in the German-speaking world and Austria's largest higher education institution. With approximately 87,000 to 90,000 students from around 140 nationalities, international students comprise roughly a third of its student body. The university is state-financed and is widely recognized for its strong international profile, excellent academic work, and high rankings, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. It consistently ranks as the top university in Austria and is positioned within the global top 100 or 150 in major international rankings like QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education.

This article focuses on the undergraduate admissions process for international students at the University of Vienna. While the prompt refers to "Scholarship: Undergraduate Admissions," it is important to clarify that the University of Vienna generally outlines an admission procedure for degree programs, rather than offering a specific, named "Undergraduate Admissions Scholarship" that covers all costs for incoming students. Instead, the university operates with a tuition fee structure, offering relatively affordable education, especially compared to other Western European or North American institutions. There are, however, specific exemptions and fee waivers that can significantly reduce or eliminate tuition fees for certain groups of international students.

Eligibility for undergraduate admission at the University of Vienna for international students is primarily based on academic qualifications and German language proficiency.

• Nationality: Applicants are categorized into EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and non-EU/EEA citizens, with different fee structures and some variations in application deadlines.
• Academic Level: Applicants must possess a secondary-school leaving certificate that is equivalent to the Austrian Matura and qualifies them for university admission in their home country. For some countries, additional requirements, such as proof of a university entrance examination, may apply. An International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma requires a minimum of 24 points across at least six examination subjects, including a foreign language and mathematics, with at least three subjects at "Higher Level."
• GPA: There is generally no specific GPA requirement mentioned for admission, as the system primarily relies on the school-leaving certificate.
• Age Limits: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Language Requirements: For most bachelor's degrees, the language of instruction is German.
  • At Application: Applicants typically need to provide proof of German language proficiency at level A2. Accepted proofs include specific certificates from ÖSD, Goethe-Institut, telc Deutsch, DSD I, ÖIF Test, or a school report indicating German lessons. These certificates must not be older than two years.
  • For Admission/Matriculation: To be fully admitted to a German-taught degree program, proof of German language proficiency at level C1 is required. This can be achieved through certificates like ÖSD Zertifikat C1, Goethe Zertifikat C1, telc Deutsch "C1 Hochschule," DSH2, DSD II, TestDaF (at least level 4 in all parts), or by passing the supplementary German examination at the University Preparation Programme (VWU). C1 certificates are typically valid for three years.
  • English-taught programs: A limited number of bachelor's programs are taught in English (e.g., Mathematical Foundations of Data Science), for which English proficiency (typically B2 level) is required, and German is not.
• Field Restrictions: While most degrees are open admission with the required qualifications, certain high-demand subjects, such as psychology, computer science, pharmacy, biology, nutritional science, and communication science, have an "Aufnahmeverfahren" (entrance exam procedure).
• Country-Specific Requirements: Students with prior education from certain countries (e.g., Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Turkey) may need to undergo additional in-person assessments, including identity checks, academic document scrutiny, and general knowledge tests, sometimes with an associated fee.

The University of Vienna does not have a single "Undergraduate Admissions Scholarship" that covers all costs. Instead, the financial aspects for international undergraduate students are structured as follows:

• Application Fee: The University of Vienna generally does not charge an application fee.
• Tuition Fees:
  • EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens: These students typically only pay the Austrian Students' Union (ÖH) fee, which is approximately €26.20 per semester (around €52 per year), for the standard duration of their program plus two tolerance semesters. If they exceed this period, a tuition fee of €363.36 per semester applies.
  • Non-EU/EEA Citizens: These students pay a tuition fee of €726.72 per semester (approximately €1,453 per year) from the first semester, in addition to the ÖH fee. This totals around €752.92 per semester.
• Tuition Fee Exemptions/Waivers:
  • Students from Designated Developing Countries: The tuition fee can be entirely remitted for students from certain developing countries for the full duration of their studies, meaning they only pay the ÖH fee. A list of eligible countries is available on the university's official website.
  • Other Exemptions: There are also exemptions for non-EU/EEA citizens who are granted equal status with EU/EEA citizens under specific conditions, and for Ukrainian citizens.
• Students' Union (ÖH) Fee: All students, regardless of their nationality or tuition fee status, must pay the ÖH fee each semester, which is approximately €26.20.
• Living Expenses: The cost of living in Vienna is estimated to be around €11,400-€14,000 per year (approximately €950 to €1,300 per month), excluding tuition. This covers housing, food, transportation, study materials, and personal expenses.
• Scholarships: While there isn't a direct "Undergraduate Admissions Scholarship," the University of Vienna offers other scholarship opportunities:
  • Merit Scholarships (Leistungsstipendien) and Research Support Scholarships (Förderungsstipendien): These are available for students demonstrating outstanding academic achievement or needing support for scientific theses and projects.
  • Partial Scholarships for Summer/Winter Schools: A limited number of partial scholarships ranging from €500 to €3,000 are available for participation in programs like the univie: winter school or summer school (European Studies section), based on academic excellence and financial need. These are partial and require the applicant to cover the remaining program fees.
  • The university's International Office also provides information on grants and scholarships.

The application process for undergraduate admission at the University of Vienna is direct, without a centralized platform like UCAS or Common App.

1. Find Your Programme: Identify the desired bachelor's or diploma program and check its specific requirements, especially regarding language proficiency and whether it has an entrance exam procedure.
2. Prepare Required Documents: Gather and scan all necessary documents. These generally include:
   • Passport or Personal ID: (JPEG or PNG format).
   • Secondary-School Leaving Certificate: All pages of the original certificate, along with a sworn translation if not in German or English, merged into one PDF file. Applicants in their final school year can often apply before receiving the certificate, uploading it once available.
   • Proof of National University Entrance Examination: If applicable, merged into one PDF. This is particularly relevant for documents from certain non-EU/EEA countries.
   • Proof of German Language Proficiency:
     • A2 Level: Required for application (certificates not older than two years).
     • C1 Level: Required for full admission (certificates not older than three years), unless German is your first language (then a sworn statement is needed). If not yet at C1, admission may be granted with the requirement to attend the University Preparation Programme (VWU).
   • Proof of English Language Proficiency: If applying for an English-taught program (e.g., Mathematical Foundations of Data Science).
   • Proof of any Additional Exams: If prescribed by the university based on country-specific requirements or differences in educational systems.
3. Submit Application via u:space: Apply online through u:space, the University of Vienna's student portal, ensuring all required documents are uploaded in full and in readable, high-quality format.
4. Complete Admission Procedure: This involves certificate recognition, language proof, and matriculation. For programs with entrance exams ("Aufnahmeverfahren"), applicants will need to register and sit the exam.
5. University Preparation Programme (VWU): If supplementary examinations (e.g., for German, Math, English, History/Geography) are prescribed in the admission letter, students must register for the VWU. Admission to the VWU is to a non-degree program, and students cannot start their degree program until all supplementary exams are passed.
6. Online First-time Admission: Once registered at the VWU or with all language/supplementary requirements met, book an appointment for online first-time admission to verify identity and complete matriculation.

Tips for Applicants:

• Start language learning early, ideally one to two years before your planned application.
• For capped subjects with an "Aufnahmeverfahren," registration windows often close much earlier (typically in spring) than general admission deadlines.
• Be aware of country-specific requirements for document legalization and potential in-person assessments.
• If already enrolled in a degree program elsewhere, upload those certificates as they may reduce the number of supplementary examinations required.

Application deadlines at the University of Vienna vary depending on citizenship (EU/EEA/Swiss vs. non-EU/EEA) and the semester of intake (winter or summer). Programs with entrance exams ("Aufnahmeverfahren") also have earlier, specific deadlines.

For Bachelor's and Diploma Programmes without Entrance Exam:

• Winter Semester (starting October):
  • Non-EU/EEA Citizens: Applications typically run from June 22 to August 3 (e.g., for 2026/27).
  • EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens: Applications typically run from June 22 to September 5 (e.g., for 2026/27).
  • Admission Period (for both groups): Typically from July 13 to October 31.
• Summer Semester (starting March):
  • Non-EU/EEA Citizens: Applications typically run from November 16 to January 7 (e.g., for 2026/27).
  • EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens: Applications typically run from November 16 to February 5 (e.g., for 2026/27).
  • Admission Period (for both groups): Typically from January 11 to March 31.

For Bachelor's and Diploma Programmes with Entrance Exam (Aufnahmeverfahren):

• Academic Year 2026/27: Application period typically runs from March 2 to May 4 (e.g., for winter semester starting October). These deadlines are often much earlier than general admission.

University Preparation Programme (VWU):

• Registration deadlines for the VWU are typically August 25 for the winter semester and January 23 for the summer semester.

It is crucial to check the specific deadlines for your chosen degree program on the University of Vienna's official admissions calendar, as these can vary.

The selection criteria for undergraduate admissions at the University of Vienna focus primarily on academic qualifications, language proficiency, and, for certain programs, performance in entrance examinations.

• Academic Qualification: The primary criterion is a secondary-school leaving certificate that is recognized as equivalent to the Austrian Matura and grants university entrance qualification in the applicant's home country. The university assesses the equivalence of foreign certificates.
• Language Proficiency: For most German-taught bachelor's programs, applicants must demonstrate C1 level German proficiency for full admission. For English-taught programs, a B2 level of English is typically required.
• Entrance Examinations (Aufnahmeverfahren): For high-demand "capped" subjects (e.g., psychology, computer science, biology), admission is competitive and requires applicants to register and pass a specific entrance examination. These exams ration limited places.
• Country-Specific Assessments: Applicants from certain non-EU/EEA countries (e.g., Bangladesh, India, Pakistan) may face additional in-person "competence checks" or general knowledge tests, which involve identity verification and scrutiny of academic documents.
• Selection Process: For most bachelor's degrees (open admission programs), if an applicant has a recognized school-leaving certificate and the required German language proficiency, they are generally admitted without an entrance exam or essay. The admission process involves submitting an online application, document verification, and potentially completing supplementary examinations at the VWU if academic or language requirements are not fully met.
• Number of Awards per Year: As this refers to the general admission process rather than a specific scholarship, there isn't a fixed "number of awards." The university admits eligible students who meet the academic and language criteria, with limitations only for programs that have an "Aufnahmeverfahren" (entrance exam procedure). The University of Vienna is Austria's largest university, enrolling around 87,000 to 90,000 students, with a significant international contingent. Its acceptance rate is around 27%.