Preparatory course (Vorstudienlehrgang) and supplementary German exam in Austria

A preparatory course (Vorstudienlehrgang) can help applicants complete supplementary examinations (Ergänzungsprüfungen) required before entering a degree programme. The university first decides, through an application for the intended degree programme, which examinations are required; the course itself is not a degree programme. 14

Who needs this

• In Graz, only applicants with a valid admission letter for a degree programme at a university in Graz may attend the VGUH, and attendance must be required for admission. Applicants need an A2 German certificate before applying to study; the VGUH is not a route to obtaining an initial German certificate. 1
• In Wien, applicants can register for VWU courses if an admission decision (Zulassungsbescheid) from one of the six participating scientific universities prescribes supplementary examinations. An examination can also be taken without current enrolment in a VWU course. 34

Step by step

1. Choose a degree programme and apply to its university. The university assesses which supplementary examinations are necessary. In Graz, subject examinations address whether a school-leaving qualification is equivalent to the Austrian Matura; the German examination establishes C1 skills. 14
2. If attending the VGUH in Graz, take a valid admission letter to register there in person. For enrolment at the University of Graz through the VGUH, the university waits for the VGUH to confirm registration and payment, then sends the matriculation number and payment information by email. 1
3. If registering for VWU courses in Wien, preregister through the VWU student portal with the required documents. Applicants whose decision prescribes German take an in-person German placement test; placement determines their German course level. After course registration, complete university admission within two weeks. 45
4. Register separately for VWU examinations through the student portal. A positive written examination is required before the oral examination in German, English or mathematics. 3

Documents

• For VGUH registration in Graz: a valid admission letter from a university in Graz. An A2 German certificate is needed before the application to study. 1
• For VWU course preregistration in Wien: a valid Zulassungsbescheid prescribing at least one supplementary examination, and a passport or residence card. For an examination, the decision must prescribe that particular examination. 34

Cost and time

• At the VWU, each German, English or mathematics examination costs €66; each examination in history, geography, biology, physics or chemistry costs €46. VWU courses last one semester; German courses comprise 320–350 teaching units, with 24 units per week. Students can generally register for courses for four semesters and must apply on time if another semester is needed. 35
• In Graz, the maximum is four semesters for German alone, five for German plus other supplementary examinations, or two for supplementary examinations without German. The period that applies to you is stated in the admission letter, and it cannot be extended. 1

Deadlines

• For the VWU German examination on 10 November 2026, online registration runs from 16 to 29 October 2026, ending at noon. For the German examination on 11 January 2027, registration runs from 4 to 17 December 2026, also ending at noon. 3
• The VWU’s November oral examinations run from 30 November to 3 December 2026. 3

City by city

• Graz: Specialist-course attendance is voluntary preparation for the examinations, although attendance at the VGUH course is required for university enrolment through the VGUH. 1
• Wien: The VWU offers German, English and subject courses. Its subject courses are taught in German, and students at the VWU have extraordinary-student status (außerordentliche Studierende). 5