International prospective students
If you have not completed school or prior studies in Austria, you are an international student. On this page you will find a short overview of the most important steps related to getting admitted to a degree programme.
Quick facts
EU/EEA citizens and Swiss citizens pay the ÖH fee during the minimum study duration (approx. €25 per semester).
Non-EU/EEA citizens pay the tuition fee and the ÖH fee (student union fee) per semester, in total approx. 750€ per semester. However, there are some exceptions, you can find more information here.
While you are attending the university preparation programme (Vorstudienlehrgang), you pay the fees for the university preparation programme as well as the ÖH fee at the University of Graz. During this time, you are enrolled for a "non-degree programme student".
The University of Graz does not currently award scholarships for international students.
You can find out about scholarships available in Austria at www.grants.at.
You must meet the formal and subject-specific requirements for studying:
- Formally, it will be checked whether you have submitted the required documents in legalized and translated form (if necessary).
- Subject-specific requirements include suitable previous education, depending on what you want to study.
Whether you meet these requirements will be checked as part of your application for admission.
There are also some study programmes with an entrance/aptitude test. For such study programmes, you must also submit a document confirming that you have passed this test when you apply.
For selected study programmes, the number of students who can start each year are limited. There is an admission procedure for these study programmes only. Entrance examinations are held in German. The following programmes have an admission procedure:
- Diploma in Law
- Bachelor of Biology
- Bachelor of Molecular Biology
- Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Bachelor Psychology
- Master Psychology
- Master Pharmacy
Further information on the admission procedures
Other degree programs have an aptitude test: Students who pass the aptitude test are admitted. The following degree programs have an aptitude test:
- Secondary school teaching degree* - further information
- Bachelor's degree program in Sports and Exercise Science* (also applies to the teaching subject Sport) - more information
For some language degree programmes, such as the bachelor's programme in English and American Studies or Transcultural Communication, you have to take a language test at the beginning of your studies (i.e. after admission and enrollment) to prove your language skills. These tests are already part of the degree programme. Please check the website of the respective programme/institute to find out how and when you have to register for these tests.
* The aptitude test as well as all information on this study programme are available only in German. German is an admission requirement for this programme.
You can only apply for the university preparation programme in Graz (VGUH Graz) with a letter of admission. You must therefore first apply for the desired study programme and cannot apply directly to the course.
The University of Graz also offers a number of Joint Master’s Programmes (degree programmes developed and offered jointly by several international higher education institutions). There is a selection procedure for these programmes as well as a separate application and admission procedure. Further information can be found on our Joint Programme page. If you have any questions, please contact the Joint Programme Team: jointdegrees(at)uni-graz.at
Step by step guide to become a student
1. What would you like to study at the University of Graz?
It is not possible to tell in advance whether or to which study programme you can be admitted with your educational backgound - this will be checked after you have submitted your application. So take a look at our study offer and decide for yourself what you would like to apply for based on your interests, language skills and previous education.
2 Which degree programmes are available in German/English?
German language skills must be proven for admission to all bachelor's programmes. It is possible to apply with at least A2 German language skills. You will need C1 skills to start your studies. If you submit at least an A2 certificate and fulfill all other requirements for studying, you can learn German at the university preparation programme. Further information
There are several English-language master's or doctoral study programmes. A proof of English language proficiency (see list) is required to apply for an English-language study programme.
If the programme is offered in German and English, you must indicate the desired language of instruction on the application form. If you are applying for an English-language programme, you must provide a proof of English language skills, no German language skills are required. Further information
Note: Language certificates must not be older than 2 years.
3. Do you have all documents?
If you have decided to study at the University of Graz, prepare the documents for your application.
List of required documents: Bachelor | Master | Doctorate*
Legalization requirements: If your documents were issued by a country for which legalization is required, the documents must be legalized for the application.
*The admission to doctoral studies is handled by the dean's office in charge.
4. Apply online
To be able to apply, you must first create a basic user account. If you need help, please watch the video tutorial and/or read the instructions. You can then use the basic user account to start the application and upload your documents. Documents must be legalized, translated and uploaded in good quality. You can find more information here. Once you have created the account, you can create an online application if you are within an application deadline. You do not have to complete and send the created application immediately, you can also pause and continue at a later time (within the deadline).
Please note: In addition to filling in the data online, you must also complete, sign and upload an application form (see list of documents). This is necessary for legal reasons, otherwise your application cannot be processed.
After the application
The processing time for applications is several weeks. Once your application has been positively processed, you will receive a letter of admission. Please read this document carefully and also the email you receive from the Academic Affairs department with the next steps.
You will be informed in your letter of admission if you have to take supplementary examinations at the university preparation programme (Vorstudienlehrgang).
If you do not meet all the requirements for starting your studies, for example because you have only completed 11 years of school or do not yet have C1 German language skills, you are admitted to the university preparation programme first. The university specifies which examinations you must take (e.g. German, mathematics). If you would like to start a study programme offered in German language, but do not yet have C1 German language skills when you apply, you must take the supplementary examination for German at the university preparation programme. You need these examinations in order to be allowed to start a study programme at the University of Graz. You have four semesters time to finish this programme.
The university preparation programme costs approx. 530€ per semester.
University preparation programme Graz (VGUH) - International students (uni-graz.at)
You will also receive information on the enrollment and payment of tuition fees with your letter of admission. Please note the enrollment deadlines for the respective semester.
Once the tuition fees have been received and the "Application for Enrollment" form has been submitted, you will receive a pin code to activate your Uni Graz student account.
If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen, you need a residence permit to study in Austria. You can apply for a student residence permit with your letter of admission. Please contact us if you have any further questions.
