Language Certificates
Information on German certificates and English certificates
1. German Certificate
For German taught degree programmes, proof of language proficiency must be submitted with the application right away.
Applications without proof of language proficiency (at least at the level A2) will be rejected immediately, with no opportunity to remedy the application. It is not possible to submit proof of language proficiency at a later date. You cannot apply anew in the same semester. There is no exception possible.
Therefore, in your own best interest, please be sure to upload a valid proof of language proficiency right away!
You need German language skills at level C1 or higher to start your studies.
The following German C1 certificates are accepted:
- an Austrian secondary school leaving certificate (Matura)
- an equal secondary school leaving certificate with German as language of instruction on Matura Level (f.e. Austrian or German school abroad/German Abitur)
- completed study programme taught in German (German as the language of instruction must be officially confirmed in the Diploma Supplement)
- Ergänzungsprüfung Deutsch (EPD) at Vorstudienlehrgang der Grazer Universitäten und Hochschulen
- Supplementary examination in German (EPD) from another Austrian pre-study programme at C1 level (C1 must be stated on the certificate)
- ÖSD C1(Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch)
- Goethe-Zertifikat C1
- DSH2 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang)
- DSD2 (Deutsche Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz)
- Telc C1
- Test DaF C1 (TDN 5)
The C1 certificates (6-11) must not be older than 5 years. All examinations/parts of the certificates must be passed at C1 level.
Frequently asked questions about the German language requirements
Yes, if you have one of the following language certificates at level A2 or higher, you can apply:
- ÖSD A2 or a higher level (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom)
- Goethe Zertifikat A2 or a higher level
- DSD1 or a higher level (Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz)
- ÖIF Test Neu A2 or a higher level (Österreichischer Integrations Fond) or
- Integrationsprüfung A2 or a higher level
- DTÖ A2 or a higher level (Deutsch Test für Österreich) or
- Telc A2 or a higher level
- Test DaF A2 or a higher level
- 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.
No. You must submit at least an A2 certificate with your application. Otherwise, your application will be rejected immediately. You will not be able to reapply during the same semester.
No. The university itself does not offer any language courses. You must obtain the language certificate outside the university.
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.
No! You need at least an A2 certificate to be able to apply.
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 is not possible after a rejection.
No! Certificates that are older than 2 years cannot be considered.
2. English certificate
To be admitted to English taught master’s programmes, applicants must submit proof of English proficiency at least at the C1 level at the time of application.
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.
You need English language skills at level C1 or higher to start your studies.
These English c1 language certificates are accepted:
- TOEFL iBT (score of at least 95/since 2026 at least 5)
- IELTS Academic (score of at least 7.0)
- Cambridge Proficiency English CPE
- Cambridge Advanced English CAE (score of at least 180/ Grade C or better)
- Telc C1
- Pearson Test of English Academic PTE (score of at least 76)
- Certificate of completion of an Austrian Vorstudienlehrgang course on English-C1 level
- A school-leaving certificate with English as the language of education (Great Britain, Ireland, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
- Degree programme already completed in English as the language of education (the language of instruction English must be officially confirmed in the Diploma Supplement)
Certificates/diplomas 1–6 must not be more than 5 years old at the time of application.
This is the minimum number of points required. Scores below this threshold cannot be considered for admission.
Frequently asked questions about the English language requirements
No! The points are a minimum number of points.
Admission with fewer points is not possible.
No! Certificates older than 5 years cannot be accepted.
No! Proof of C1 English is required in order to apply.
If English is confirmed as the language of instruction in your official graduation documents (Diploma Supplement), no additional certificate is required.
Otherwise, you must submit one of the certificates listed above.
A confirmation from the university about the language of instruction is not an official document and will not be accepted.
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.