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The Austrian Education system
A detailed graphic overview of the Austrian education system can be found here for download (pdf).
Publications
Admission
How do I apply for admission to study in Austria?
You have to apply for admission in writing to the university of your choice. Most of the universities provide an application form on their homepages. At many universities you can also register online. Your application plus documents you have to send directly to the university of your choice.
Attention: To get admitted to study at an Austrian university in the autumn of 2011 you have to register by August 31st for most fields of study.
Further information (only in German)
Information on admission regulations for certain study programmes:
- Admission regulations for psychology: The University of Vienna and the University of Salzburg have introduced admission regulations as of winter semester 2010/11 for the study of psychology.
Further information about the admission regulations of the University of Vienna
Further information about the admission regulations of the University of Salzburg (only in German) - Admission regulations for Mass Media and Communication Science Studies: The University of Vienna, the University of Salzburg and the University of Klagenfurt have introduced admission regulations as of winter semester 2010/11 for the study of Mass Media and Communication Sciences.
Further information about the admission regulations of the University of Vienna
Further information about the admission regulations of the University of Salzburg (in German only)
Further information about the admission regulations of the University of Klagenfurt (in German only) - Admission regulations for the field of study Medicine and Dentistry
Further information about the admission regulations of the Medical University Vienna and Innsbruck
Further information about the admission regulations of the Medical University Graz
Which closing dates apply?
- Students from EU and EEA member countries as well as “Foreigners who enjoy the same status as Austrians (gleichgestellte Ausländer/innen)”
The general application period applies, which is determined by each university, plus an additional application period (which ends November 30th for the winter semester and April 30th for the summer semester). Attention: During this additional period increased tuition fees are payable. See the website of the Federal Ministry of Science and Research (BMWF) for further information about the closing dates for application at the Austrian universities. - Students from other countries
You have send your complete application documents to the university by September 1st at the latest (for the following winter semester) or February 1st (for the following summer semester). These deadlines cannot be extended.
For some degree courses you have to pass supplementary examinations according to the University Entrance Qualification Decree (Universitätsberechtigungsverordnung), these depend on your secondary school leaving certificate. Therefore please enquire in time at the university of your choice about the admission requirements.
To study in Austria your school leaving certificate has to be equivalent to an Austrian certificate. With some countries Austria has concluded agreements of equivalence of secondary school leaving certificates. If not, you usually have to pass supplementary examinations. You will be admitted as non-degree programme student (außerordentliche/r Studierende/r) and you can prepare for these examinations for example in the University Preparation Programmes.
Which documents do I need to apply for admission?
1. Proof of nationality (photocopy of your passport)
2. General university entrance qualification (allgemeine Universitätsreife):
This has to be proved by one of the following documents:
- a secondary school leaving certificate that entitles you to admission to university studies in your home country
- a document proving the completion of a study programme which lasted at least three years at a recognised post-secondary educational institution
- for admission to a master’s programme you need a certificate of a completed bachelor programme or equivalent programme in the same or similar field of studies,
- for admission to a doctoral programme you need a certificate of a completed master’s or diploma programme in the same or similar field of studies.
3. Specific university entrance qualification (besondere Universitätsreife)
To be admitted to study in Austria you have to prove that you are allowed to study or to continue your studies with your (secondary school leaving) certificate in the country in which your certificate was issued. This means that you must have passed the entrance examinations that are prescribed in the country in which the certificate was issued and that you must fulfil any other requirements for admission in that country. For continuing your studies in Austria you have to prove that you are entitled to continue these studies in the country which issued your certificate.
Attention: This proof is not necessary for EU/EEA nationals and “foreigners who enjoy the same status as Austrians” (“gleichgestellte Ausländer/innen”).
4. German language proficiency
To be admitted to study at an Austrian university you usually have to prove sufficient proficiency in the German language.
Accepted documents:
- secondary school leaving certificate confirming German lessons of at least 4 years
- a German language diploma or similar documents.
If you wish to pursue doctoral studies in Austria and if your academic supervisor agrees, the university may dispense with this requirement.
5. Proof of physical and motorical ability
Only for the secondary school teacher accreditation programme Physical Education and the degree course Sports Sciences.
6. Study programmes carried out beforehand
If you have already studied at a university abroad, please enclose the appropriate certificates with your application for admission. In some cases examinations taken may be credited by the Austrian university.
Attention: You have to submit all documents in languages other than German (exception: documents in English) together with an authorised German translation. Foreign documents have to be legalised (Legalisation). Please send the completed application form and all additional documents by post to the Admission Office (Studien- und Prüfungsabteilung) of the university at which you would like to study (Admission Offices of the universities).
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