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German courses

The fast track to your studies in Vienna
With our German courses for the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities, we prepare you efficiently for the supplementary German examination that you must pass before beginning your studies. Our courses are taught by highly qualified trainers. Our course facilities are spacious, equipped with modern technology, and easily accessible by public transport.

Step by step

VWU German courses are not based on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). For this reason, the course level you will attend in your first semester is determined exclusively by the VWU placement test. There are five VWU course levels:
  • AN – Beginners with very limited prior knowledge
  • AV – Beginners with prior knowledge
  • EV – Students with advanced prior knowledge
  • FG – Advanced knowledge
  • WF – Highly advanced knowledge
The course system is flexible. This means that the levels do not build on each other strictly one after another; instead, repetition and overlap are included in each preceding and following course level. If your performance is sufficiently good, you do not have to complete every single level and may skip a course level. You have four semesters to complete the VWU German courses and any additional subject courses. Most students need three semesters to pass the EPD. At the end, you must pass the EPD registration at the VWU, Sechshauser Straße, in order to transfer to a regular degree programme.

The VWU German courses are offered on a semester basis and follow the university semester schedule. Each course comprises a total of 320 teaching units.

Winter Semester 2026/27

Course start: 23 September 2026 Course end: 28 January 2027 Course-free days:
  • Fri, 23 October 2026
  • Mon, 26 October 2026
  • Fri, 27 November 2026
  • Mon, 7 December 2026 – Tue, 8 December 2026
  • Wed, 23 December 2026 – Wed, 6 January 2027
  • Day of the written EPD in January, to be announced
Course-free days may be subject to change, except for public holidays. Any changes will be communicated in good time.

Classes take place from Monday to Friday and last 3 hours and 40 minutes per day, including a break.

The courses are offered as morning, afternoon, and evening courses.

You will receive your specific course assignment by email approximately one week before the course starts. When registering, you may indicate your preferred time slot. Please note, however, that the assigned course time cannot be changed and that not all preferences can always be accommodated.

  • Morning course: Mon to Fri, within the time slot between 08:00 and 12:30
  • Afternoon course: Mon to Fri, within the time slot between 12:00 and 16:30
  • Evening course: Mon to Fri, within the time slot between 16:00 and 20:00

In class, we work with modern textbooks as well as supplementary digital materials. These include, among others:

  • Grammar exercises
  • Authentic texts and media
  • Writing and communication exercises

Textbooks used:

AN:
Akademie Deutsch A1+, Intensive Coursebook with Online Audio (ISBN 978-3-19-101650-0)
Akademie Deutsch A1+, Supplementary Material with Online Audio (ISBN 978-3-19-111650-7)
Grammatik aktiv A1-B1, Grammar Practice Book (ISBN 978-3-06-122964-1)

AV:
Akademie Deutsch A2+, Intensive Coursebook with Online Audio (ISBN 978-3-19-121650-4)
Akademie Deutsch A2+, Supplementary Material with Online Audio (ISBN 978-3-19-131650-1)
Grammatik aktiv A1-B1, Grammar Practice Book (ISBN 978-3-06-122964-1)

EV:
Akademie Deutsch B1+, Intensive Coursebook with Online Audio (ISBN 978-3-19-141650-8)
Akademie Deutsch B1+, Supplementary Material with Online Audio (ISBN 978-3-19-151650-5)
Grammatik aktiv A1-B1, Grammar Practice Book (ISBN 978-3-06-122964-1)

FG/WF:
Akademie Deutsch B2+, Intensive Coursebook with Online Audio (ISBN 978-3-19-161650-2)
Akademie Deutsch B2+, Supplementary Material with Online Audio (ISBN 978-3-19-171650-9)
Grammatik aktiv B2/C1, Grammar Practice Book (ISBN 978-3-06-122965-8)

The textbooks are used alongside the course for classroom work and homework and are not the sole basis of the course. Depending on the needs of the individual groups, the teachers select the supplementary materials accordingly in order to support you in learning German as effectively as possible.

The course books must be purchased independently from bookshops.

For optimal learning and preparation for the EPD, we also recommend using a printed dictionary.

Further information on the schedule leading up to the EPD can be found here –> Link

Regular and active participation in class is important for your learning success and for taking interim tests. Under certain circumstances, it may also be relevant for official matters such as visas or residence permits.

Attendance is recorded for each teaching unit. Arriving late, including after a break, or leaving class early is counted as absence time. Please keep track of your absences independently.

During the semester, three written interim tests are held. The dates will be announced at the beginning of the course. Eligibility to take the third interim test is subject to a minimum attendance requirement.

Students in levels AN to EV also take an oral progression test at the end of the semester. The progression result for the following semester is based on both semester performance and test results. There are no make-up dates for missed interim tests. Repeating tests is also not permitted.
By registering for our VWU German courses, participants agree to the course rules and the house rules. To ensure a smooth and successful course experience, it is necessary that all participants comply with these rules.
Course confirmations, for example for submission to MA35, will be issued no later than two days after the end of the course. No certificate is issued for attending a VWU German course. A certificate is only issued upon successfully passing the Supplementary Examination in German (EPD).
German courses

Top support with all formalitiesTop-Unterstützung bei allen Formalitäten

We support you in word and deed with the administrative formalities

for your German course. So that you meet deadlines and have the right documents

at the right time.

FAQ

Do you have any further questions?

Course location

Handelskai 388, Eingang Wehlistraße 299, 1020 Wien