# German as a Foreign and Second Language (Master)

**Source**: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/german-as-a-foreign-and-second-language-master/
**Parent**: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/bachelordiploma-programmes/german-philology-bachelor-with-osa/

The master’s programme in German as a Foreign and Second Language equips graduates of a completed degree programme in a philological or cultural studies discipline with the necessary competences to theoretically and practically address German as a foreign or second language. Moreover, they are able to address the culture of German-speaking countries as a foreign culture and engage in intercultural dialogue. They acquire profound didactic and methodical competences required for teaching German as a foreign and second language. The master’s programme prepares students for a profession in academia, practice (teaching, development of curricula, media and textbooks) and the general area of language policy.

Applicants with a first language other than German have to provide evidence of German proficiency corresponding to level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

### Master of Arts

Degree Programme Code: 066 814

4 Semesters / 120 ECTS credits

Language: [German](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/german-language-proficiency/)

NO entrance examination

[Curriculum](http://senat.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/s_senat/konsolidierte_Masterstudien/MA_Deutsch_als_Fremd_und_Zweitsprache_Version2017.pdf)

### Facts & Figures

- Students: **311**
- Graduates in the last academic year: **36**
- Number of semesters needed for graduation (median): **8,8**

*Data updated on: 26**.11.2025*

[Information about presentation & calculation](https://backend.univie.ac.at/index.php?id=157848&L=2&id=157848)

*\*[Click here for further information on statistical data in the field of teaching and learning. (in German)](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/studienangebot/warum-hier-studieren/statistische-daten-zum-studienbetrieb/)*

### Attention

#### Instruction Language German

Please note that the instruction language of this programme is German. To start the degree programme, you need to hold a [certificate of German proficiency on C1 level](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/german-language-proficiency/).

### Admission Procedure

[Information about the admission procedure](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/master-programmes/german-as-a-foreign-and-second-language/)

#### Admission requirement:

- completion of an eligible degree programme
- PLUS [qualitative admission requirements](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/master-access-guide/mag-german-as-a-foreign-and-second-language/#c644859)

### Information on Previous Studies:

In any case eligible degree programmes at the University of Vienna:

- [German Philology (Bachelor)](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/bachelordiploma-programmes/german-philology-bachelor-with-osa/)
- [Subject of instruction German (Bachelor)](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/teacher-education-programme/german-teaching-subject/)
- [Master Access Guide](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/master-access-guide/mag-german-as-a-foreign-and-second-language/)

### Getting started

[Orientation course](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/german-as-a-foreign-and-second-language-master/)

[Orientation in the first semester](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/study-organisation/)

[Semester planning](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/semester-planning/)

### Getting Informed

[StudiesServiceUnit (SSS) German Studies](https://spl10.univie.ac.at/studienservicestelle/)

[Students' Representatives German Studies](https://www.oeh.univie.ac.at/stv/stv-germanistik)

## Study Programme

The master’s programme consists of modules covering the following subject areas: basics in the field of research and practice of German as a foreign language/German as a second language; linguistics and grammar; learning to act in the foreign language/second language: conditions and prerequisites, communication across cultures (language policy, multilingualism), teaching focus: regional and cultural studies, text competence, literature contrast language and individual special focus, methods in language teaching, research practice; final phase consisting of a master’s thesis and a master's examination.

### Five Concepts

which you will deal with during your studies:

- Research on second language acquisition
- Linguistics
- Contrast language
- Language teaching
- Education

... and many more.

## Overview of the programme structure & topics

Here you find the current offer of courses for this programme to gain better insight into the topics and structure. For more information please click on the respective level.

[M1 Basics in the Field of Research and Practice of German as a Foreign Language/German as a Second Language (11 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336861)

[M2 Linguistic Basics of German as a Foreign Language/German as a Second Language Teaching (10 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336862)

[M3 (Second) Language Acquisition, Models of Language Education and Curricula (10 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336868)

[M4 Language Teaching Methods (18 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336870)

[M5 Pedagogical Approaches to the Teaching of German as a Foreign Language/German as a Second Language (10 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336874)

[M6 Cultural and Reflexive Approaches (13 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336877)

[M7 Contrast Language / Academic Language and Individual Special Focus (9 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336881)

[M8 Academic Specialisation (9 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336885)

[M9 Master Module (4 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=336906)

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## After Graduation

Graduates are qualified to work in the area of language training for immigrants. They have the necessary didactic qualifications as well as basic qualifications for a profession in the area of language teaching, intercultural communication, multilingualism and language policy, enabling them to develop, implement and evaluate target-group-specific training measures in political consulting, educational planning and educational practice. The second possible area of activity is more oriented towards teaching abroad: our graduates are qualified to act as experts on German as a foreign and second language in research on language teaching and language learning, training of teachers and continuing education and training of teachers, as well as in a wide range of practical areas of activity. They are able to develop needs-based modern learning concepts for German as a foreign language in multilingual contexts.

### Continuing after Graduation

- [Center for Doctoral Studies - everything about doctorcal/PhD programmes at the University of Vienna\](http://doktorat.univie.ac.at/en/)
- [Alumni of the University of Vienna](https://www.alumni.ac.at/)
- [Postgraduate Center - postgraduate programmes at the University of Vienna\](http://www.postgraduatecenter.at/en)
- [Uniport - career service of the University of Vienna](https://www.uniport.at/uniport-fuer-studierende)

### Graduates' Perspective on the Degree Programme

[#### Degree programme in retrospect](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/en/analyses/graduate-surveys/)

### Graduates ...

- say that this degree programme receives the grade: 2.1 (good)
- rate the level of difficulty as: 3.5 (appropriate)

→ These results are based on feedback from 78 graduates.

\**You can find further assessments of the degree programme from its graduates’ perspective in the graduate survey of the**[master's programme in](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/d_qualitaetssicherung/Dateidownloads/AbsolventInnenbefragungen/2021/Master/102_Master_Deutsch_als_Fremd-_und_Zweitsprache_public.pdf)* *[German as a Foreign and Second Language](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/d_qualitaetssicherung/Dateidownloads/AbsolventInnenbefragungen/2021/Master/102_Master_Deutsch_als_Fremd-_und_Zweitsprache_public.pdf) (in German).*

[#### Career entry & paths](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/en/analyses/graduate-tracking/)

### Graduates ...

- find employment within 2 months after graduation on average.

\*You can find further information on career entry and career paths in the tracking of graduates "[German Philology](https://www.qs.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/d_qualitaetssicherung/Dateidownloads/AbsolventInnentracking/2023/englisch/UA_F1_2023_MA_German_Philology_en.pdf)".

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