Language Certificates

German Certificates

For German-language degree programmes, proof of language proficiency must be submitted with the application. This is required by the Universities Act. 

This means an application cannot be processed without proof of language proficiency. The application will be rejected immediately without the possibility of improvement. In your own interest, please upload a valid language certificate with your application.

These C1 German certificates are accepted:

  1. an Austrian secondary school leaving certificate (Matura)
  2. an equal secondary school leaving certificate with German as language of instruction on Matura Level (Austrian or German school abroad/German Abitur)
  3. completed study programme taught in German (German as the language of instruction must be officially confirmed in the Diploma Supplement)
  4. Ergänzungsprüfung Deutsch (EPD) at Vorstudienlehrgang der Grazer Universitäten und Hochschulen
  5. Supplementary examination in German (EPD) from another Austrian pre-study programme at C1 level (C1 must be stated on the certificate)
  6. ÖSD C1(Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch)
  7. Goethe-Zertifikat C1
  8. DSH2 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang)
  9. DSD2 (Deutsche Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz)
  10. Telc C1
  11. Test DaF C1 (TDN 5)

The C1 certificates (6-11) must not be older than 2 years. All examinations/parts of the certificates must be passed at C1 level. 

I have A2/B1/B2 knowledge of German. Can I apply?

Yes, if you have one of the following language certificates at level A2 or higher, you can apply:

  1. ÖSD A2 or a higher level (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom)
  2. Goethe Zertifikat A2 or a higher level
  3. DSD1 or a higher level (Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz)
  4. ÖIF Test Neu A2 or a higher level (Österreichischer Integrations Fond) or
  5. Integrationsprüfung A2 or a higher level
  6. DTÖ A2 or a higher level (Deutsch Test für Österreich) or
  7. Telc A2 or a higher level
  8. Test DaF A2 or a higher level
  9. Certificate about A2 level issued by an Austrian University Preparatory Programme (Vorstudienlehrgang)

The certificates/diplomas 1 - 8 must not be older than 2 years. 

In case of admission with an A2 to B2 certificate, you have to pass the EPD exam at the preparatory course (Vorstudienlehrgang). No other C1 certificate can be handed in after being admitted.

My language of instruction was German. Do I also need a German certificate?

No. A German certificate is only necessary if your previous education was not in German. It must be clear from the educational documents that German was the language of instruction (e.g. Abitur from Germany; Matura from South Tyrol), though. 

I would like to apply for a German-language degree program without proof of German. Is that possible?

No! You need at least an A2 certificate to be able to apply.

I won't receive my language certificate until later. Can I apply now and submit the certificate later?

No! According to University Act, the language certificate must be submitted with the application. Without the certificate, the application will be rejected immediately. So do not apply until you have the certificate! A new application for the same semester and degree programme is not possible after a rejection.

My language certificate is more than 2 years old. Can I still apply with it?

No! Certificates that are older than 2 years cannot be considered.

Can I get the A2 certificate necessary for the application on the Vorstudienlehrgang (VGUH)?

No. The university itself does not offer any language courses. You must obtain the language certificate outside the university. 

English certificates

The University of Graz offers several Master's programmes in English. You can find them here.

Please make sure to state your preferred language of instruction in the application form if the programme is offered in both German and English. Otherwise your application will automatically be checked for a German language certificate.

These English language certificates are accepted for applying to English taught study programm:

  1. TOEFL iBT (score of at least 95)
  2. IELTS Academic (score of at least 7.0)
  3. Cambridge Proficiency English CPE
  4. Cambridge Advanced English CAE (score of at least 180/ Grade C or better)
  5. Telc C1
  6. Pearson Test of English Academic PTE (score of at least 76)
  7. Certificate of completion of an Austrian Vorstudienlehrgang course on English-C1 level
  8. A school-leaving certificate with English as the language of education (e.g. Great Britain, Ireland, America, Canada, New Zealand)
  9. Degree programme already completed in English as the language of education (the language of instruction English must be officially confirmed in the Diploma Supplement)

The certificates/diplomas 1 - 6 must not be older than 2 years at the time of application.

This is the minimum number of points. Lower scores cannot be considered for admission.

I do not have the specified number of points on my English certificate. Can I apply?

No! The points are a minimum number of points. Admission with fewer points is not possible.

My language certificate is older than 2 years. Can I still apply with it?

No! Certificates that are older than 2 years cannot be considered.

I would like to apply to an English-language degree programme without proof of English. Is that possible?

No! Proof of C1 English is required in order to apply.

My previous studies were in English. Do I also need an English certificate?

If the language of education English is officially confirmed in the degree documents (Diploma Supplement), no further certificate is required. Otherwise, one of the above-mentioned certificates must be submitted.

Can I apply with a confirmation from the university about the medium of instruction?

No. A confirmation is not an official, legal document. If the language of instruction is not confirmed in the official degree document (Diploma Supplement), one of the above-mentioned certificates must be submitted.