Most Austrian university programmes are taught in German, and the level you need is usually B2 or C1 on the CEFR scale. Which one you need depends entirely on the institution and the programme. If you can't prove the required level yet, there's a route in through a university preparation programme and a supplementary exam, but you'll need at least A2 German to start.
Who asks for B2 and who asks for C1
German is the predominant language at Austrian universities and universities of applied sciences. Some institutions look for B2 German proficiency, others for C1. There is no single national rule. Each institution sets its own requirement, and admission is organised by each institution, the OeAD does not handle study applications and there is no central application portal.
University colleges of teacher education also need sufficient knowledge of German. So if you're eyeing teacher training, check the language requirement early.
You can browse universities to see which institutions offer your subject, but the language requirement itself has to come from the institution's own admission page.
English-taught programmes: the numbers
German is not always the answer. The OeAD says the majority of programmes at Austrian higher education institutions are taught in German, but more and more are offered in English. Our catalogue lists 65 Austrian higher education institutions and 589 programmes with English among their languages of instruction, imported from the Austrian national register. Of those 589, 455 are taught in English only and the rest in German and English.
If your German is still at beginner level, find programmes filtered by English as the language of instruction. That list gives you a real alternative while you build your German.
Programmes and fees on this site come from the Austrian national register (BMFWF open data and the study finder studienwahl.at) as of October 2026. Always confirm the language requirement with the institution itself.
If you can't prove your German yet
Here's the practical route. If the proof of sufficient German cannot be provided, a supplementary examination within a university course must be passed before admission to the intended programme. That means you can be admitted to a university course first, pass the exam, and then move into your degree.
Admission to that university course requires German at least at level A2 of the CEFR. So A2 is the floor for the preparation route, not for the degree itself.
University Preparation Programmes (Vorstudienlehrgänge) offer intensive German courses for foreign applicants who have been admitted, to prepare for the supplementary examinations prescribed by the universities. In other words: you get admitted to the preparatory course, you study German intensively, you sit the supplementary exam, and then you start your programme.
Where to take a German exam or course
The ÖSD (Austrian German Language Diploma) is a state-approved examination. You can take it at more than 200 examination centres in over 40 countries, so there's a good chance one is near you before you travel to Austria.
If you want to study German before you arrive, the Österreich Institut runs German courses outside Austria, in Rome, Ljubljana, Warsaw, Krakow, Bratislava, Budapest and Brno.
Once you're ready to apply, look at all universities in Austria and check each one's language requirement page. The requirement is per institution, not per country, so a shortlist of three universities may mean three different German levels.
For free practice, the ÖIF Language Portal offers free exercises and live online courses. That's useful while you're waiting for admission decisions.
Deadlines and costs to keep in mind
At public universities the general application deadline for most bachelor's programmes is 5 September for the winter semester and 5 February for the summer semester. Other programmes and applicants from outside the EU/EEA can have different deadlines, so check your specific programme.
On money: the student union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) is EUR 26.20 per semester and compulsory for all students. At public universities, EU/EEA students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters, if you go beyond that, or if you're in most other student categories, tuition is EUR 726.72 per semester. These figures are as listed in the Austrian national register and you should confirm them with the institution.
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland need a Residence Permit, Student for a stay of more than six months. The application fee on oesterreich.gv.at is EUR 218 and the authority decides within 90 days. The residence authority decides on permits; the institution decides on admission.
| Step | What you need | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Prove German for direct admission | B2 or C1, depending on institution | The institution's admission page |
| Enter a university preparation course | At least A2 German | The university's preparation programme page |
| Pass the supplementary exam | German at the level the university prescribes | The university course provider |
| Apply for the degree | 5 September (winter) or 5 February (summer) for most bachelor's programmes at public universities | The institution; other deadlines may apply |
For official visa and residence information, use migration.gv.at and oesterreich.gv.at. For study application guidance, use studyinaustria.at and oead.at. Neither the OeAD nor this site can decide your admission, that's the institution's call.
Sources
- OeAD, learning German in Austria
- oesterreich.gv.at, admission of foreign students
- OeAD, application and admission
- OeAD, tuition fees
- oesterreich.gv.at, residence permit for students
- Austrian national register (BMFWF open data and studienwahl.at), as of October 2026
Frequently asked questions
Do Austrian universities require B2 or C1 German?
It depends on the institution. Some universities look for B2 German proficiency on the CEFR scale, others for C1. There is no single national rule, so check the admission page of each institution you're applying to.
Can I study in Austria without German?
Yes, if you pick an English-taught programme. Our catalogue lists 589 programmes with English among their languages of instruction, of which 455 are taught in English only. The rest are in German and English.
What if my German isn't good enough for admission?
You may be able to take a supplementary examination within a university course before admission to your intended programme. Admission to that course requires German at least at A2 level. University Preparation Programmes (Vorstudienlehrgänge) offer intensive German courses to prepare for those exams.
Where can I take a German exam before coming to Austria?
The ÖSD (Austrian German Language Diploma) is a state-approved exam with more than 200 examination centres in over 40 countries. The Österreich Institut also runs German courses outside Austria, for example in Rome, Ljubljana, Warsaw, Krakow, Bratislava, Budapest and Brno.