Erasmus and Other Mobility Programs
The Language Competency Certificate attests its holder that she/he can communicate at a certain proficiency level in a foreign language (according to the CEFR). This document is often required by a university during the admission process or when applying for Erasmus programs.
To obtain the certification, the person has to sit an examination at the Language Center (SZUW).
The examination is offered for many foreign languages (esp. English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish; and many additional languages apart from German).
You can register for a language competency test at Language Competency Certificates.
You are welcome to register for one of our exams in order to obtain the Language Competency Certificate.
The Language Center regularly offers examinations for English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish; and many additional languages apart from German.
You can register for a language competency test at Language Competency Certificates.
After taking a (non-compulsory) placement test, you can attend a general or specialized language course. Please consider that only successful completion of the third phase of each CEFR level (B1/3, B2/3 oder C1/3) is accepted as proof of language competency on that level.
Please also use our offer of Erasmus Outgoing courses, which expressly address students planning to participate in a semester-long or year-long Erasmus exchange program abroad.
The required language competency level is established by each host university (minimum B1). Please send a direct inquiry to your host university regarding its language competency requirements. Should your host university not have any specific requirements, CEFR level B1 in the local language is required, at a minimum.
You can use the descriptors included in the checklists of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) both for self-assessment and as a learning guide.
Additionally, the Language Center offers counseling interviews for optimum course selection. These assessment tests do not supplant language competency examinations, nor are any certificates or confirmations issued.
As soon as you have received your letter of nomination from the OeAD, a (partly) refund of the examination fee will be paid out at the Office of the Language Center. Please observe the refund periods.
NEW as of winter semester 2022/23: Participants of ERASMUS Preparation Courses receive a partial refund of the course costs with the help of the course certificate if they are successfully nominated for an Eramus place.
Erasmus preparation courses specifically address students who plan to participate in semester- or year-long Erasmus exchange programs in foreign countries. However, Erasmus nomination is not a requirement for participation in these courses, which are also adequate as preparation for non-mobility program stays abroad.
These courses include important information and advice for everyday life in the university environment, alongside academic, formal and social requirements and challenges which outgoing students can expect being confronted with.
NEW as of winter semester 2022/23: Participants of ERASMUS Preparation Courses receive a partial refund of the course costs with the help of the course certificate if they are successfully nominated for an Eramus place.
Students participating in certain mobility programs can receive discounts on German intensive and German trimester course fees, as well as on foreign language course fees, by submitting a letter of confirmation issued by the International Office of the University of Vienna.
Yes. The September and February intensive German courses are geared towards preparing you for the exchange semester/year starting in October, respectively in March. Students participating in certain mobility programs of the University of Vienna benefit from special conditions when registering for these courses.
Detailed information is available on the website of the International Office of the University of Vienna.
Students participating in certain mobility programs of the University of Vienna who complete a September or February intensive German course in preparation for studies at the University of Vienna are granted a fee refund, subject to passing-grade completion of the course. The refund amounts to the full course fee, minus an out-of-pocket share.
Details are available at International Office of the University of Vienna.
Students of other Austrian/Viennese universities who participate in certain mobility programs can receive discounts on German intensive and German trimester course fees, as well as on foreign language course fees.
