Metadata
Title
German Language Competence
Category
undergraduate
UUID
a21a942d704d41b4a2121126497f0b4a
Source URL
https://www.tuwien.at/en/studies/admission/bachelors-programmes/admission-with-a...
Parent URL
https://www.tuwien.at/en/studies/admission/bachelors-programmes/admission-with-a...
Crawl Time
2026-03-17T06:39:10+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown

German Language Competence

Source: https://www.tuwien.at/en/studies/admission/bachelors-programmes/admission-with-an-international-school-leaving-certificate/competence-in-german Parent: https://www.tuwien.at/en/studies/admission/bachelors-programmes/admission-with-an-international-school-leaving-certificate

At TU Wien the language of instruction is German. In order to be admitted to a degree programme you have to submit a proof of German language proficiency (Level C1) of the Common European Framework Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Level A2 CEFR (or higher) language skills upon application

If German was not part of the secondary school-leaving examination, proof of German language skills at least at level A2 CEFR must be provided when applying for admission!

The following certificates are accepted for a period of two years beginning with the examination date:

Further information on the German examination can be found under Additional and Supplementary Examinations.

Level C1 CEFR language skills for admission to a degree program

To be admitted to a German-taught degree programme, you must provide evidence of German language proficiency at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The following certificates are valid for an unlimited time and are accepted as proof of German language skills when applying for admission:

The following certificates are accepted for a period of two years beginning with the examination date:

Older certificates will not be accepted. A new examination has to be done.

I have one of the above mentioned A2 certificates, but do not have level C1 knowledge of German. What happens next?

In this case, the admission letter will stipulate that you must pass the supplementary German language examination ("Ergänzungsprüfung Deutsch") in order to be admitted to a degree programme as a regular student.

You have the possibility to attend a German course to prepare for the supplementary examination and take the test in German at the University Preparation Program of Vienna Universities ("Vorstudienlehrgang der Wiener Universitäten" - VWU). In order to do so, you first have to be admitted as a non-degree student at TU Wien and sign up for a course at the University Preparation Program (VWU).

Upon successful completion of the exam, you will be admitted to TU Wien as a regular student.

Once you have been admitted to the University Preparation Program (VWU) as a non-degree student of TU Wien, you must submit exclusively the German language certificate issued by the VWU!\ It is not possible to quit the University Preperation Program (VWU) and pass the German examination elsewhere (e.g. ÖSD certificate). In this case, any other certificate but the one issued by the VWU will not be accepted by TU Wien and it can lead to the loss of your student visa.

You find all relevant information about the University Preparation Programme (tuition fee, registration period etc.) at the homepage of the VWU.

I have no knowledge of German or only an A1 certificate. Can I still apply?

In this case you cannot apply for admission at TU Wien. Submitting an application only makes sense if you can provide one of the above-mentioned A2 certificates.

I have a A2 level in German, but none of the above. Can I still apply?

In this case you cannot apply for admission at TU Wien. Submitting an application only makes sense if you can provide one of the above-mentioned A2 certificates.

I have a C1 level in German, but none of the above. What can I do?

In this case, you have the option of taking the German C1 exam at the University Preparation Program of Vienna Universities "Vorstudienlehrgang der Wiener Universitäten" (VWU). You will not be admitted to TU Wien and you do not have to attend the course. You simply register at the VWU for the next examination date and pay the examination fee at the VWU. Once you have passed the exam, you can enrol at TU Wien.

I am an Austrian/German/Swiss citizen, is this sufficient as proof of German proficiency?

No. The nationality is not sufficient proof of language competence. Please provide one of the above mentioned documentations.

I would like to apply for an English-taught master's programme. Do I need a proof of German language proficiency (A2/C1)?

No. In this case you only need a proof of English language proficiency at least at the level B2 CEFR.

I want to apply for a doctoral programme. Do I need proof of German language proficiency (A2/C1)?

Yes, if you do your doctoral programme in German and write the doctoral thesis in German.

Admission Office

For general inquiries, please use our Contact form.\ Specific inquiries regarding TU account logins can be found in the JIRA online portal.

Front office hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday\ 9:30 to 12:00

Wednesday\ 13:30 to 16:00

Availability by telephone

Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 12:00 and \ Monday to Thursday from 13:00 to 16:00

Phone number: +43 1 58801 41188

Please note: For data protection reasons, no information on personal data can be given over the phone.

Address of the Admission Office

Karlsplatz 13\ Stiege 1, EG\ 1040 Wien

Admission Office

For general inquiries, please use our Contact form.\ Specific inquiries regarding TU account logins can be found in the JIRA online portal.

Front office hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday\ 9:30 to 12:00

Wednesday\ 13:30 to 16:00

Availability by telephone

Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 12:00 and \ Monday to Thursday from 13:00 to 16:00

Phone number: +43 1 58801 41188

Please note: For data protection reasons, no information on personal data can be given over the phone.

Address of the Admission Office

Karlsplatz 13\ Stiege 1, EG\ 1040 Wien