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Language Competency

For your studies at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, the required language competence depends on whether you come to the Academy as an exchange student or a regular student for a regular study program.

German courses offered at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna

I. Regular studies

If you would like to study at the Academy, please note the language requirements for each field of study.

For the following studies, persons whose first language is not German or English must provide proof of the listed language skills prior to admission:

For the following artistic studies, persons whose first language is not German must provide proof of the listed language skills before registering to continue their studies for the third semester:

II. Doctoral Degree

The doctoral studies Doctor of Philosophy/PhD, Doctor of Technical Sciences, as well as the Doctor of Science, are in principle taught in German. Nevertheless, it is possible to write academic papers in a foreign language, if the supervisor agrees. Therefore, the language competence required to complete a doctoral program has to be defined in accordance with the supervisor before registering for the study program.

In the PhD in Practice, English at level B2 must be proven in the course of the admission procedure.

III. Accepted language certificates

Generally accepted language diplomas according to § 63 UG Abs 10b are considered as proof of this knowledge of the German language.

Knowledge of German language - Level A2

  1. Supplementary exam German A2 as part of a University Preparation Program at an Austrian University (Vorstudienlehrgang)
  2. German certificates:
    Österreichisches Sprachdiplom – ÖSD certificate A2 or above
    Goethe Institut - Goethe certificate A2 or above
    TestDaF (TDN)
    Successfully completed exams at language centers of an Austrian university A2 or above (e.g. University of Vienna: Sprachenzentrum)
    Course certificates in German from the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna at level A2 or above
    Telc German A2 or above
    Österreichischer Integrationsfonds (ÖIF) – ÖIF-Test A2 or above

Knowledge of German language - Level B1

  1. Supplementary exam German B1 as part of a University Preparation Program at an Austrian University (Vorstudienlehrgang)
  2. German certificates:
    Österreichisches Sprachdiplom – ÖSD certificate B1 or above
    Goethe Institut - Goethe certificate B1 or above
    German Language Examination for University Admission (DSH 1) or above
    German Language Diploma of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs DSD I, level B1 or above
    TestDaF, at least level 3 in all parts or above
    Successfully completed exams at language centers of an Austrian university B1 or above (e.g. University of Vienna: Sprachenzentrum)
    Course certificates in German from the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna at level B1 or above
    Telc German B1 or above
    Österreichischer Integrationsfonds (ÖIF) – ÖIF-Test B1 or above

Knowledge of English language - Level B2

  1. English as a subject in your secondary school leaving exam
  2. English certificates:
    TOEFL iBT Score min. 72
    IELTS: Band score min. 6
    Cambridge Certificate English First Certificate (FCE)

A higher level of the above certificates may also be accepted as proof of English proficiency.