University of Vienna·Philology/Cultural Studies
Master of Arts
The master’s programme in German as a Foreign and Second Language equips graduates to address German as a foreign language and its cultural context. It prepares students for professional roles in academia and education, focusing on teaching methodologies and language policy. Graduates are also trained in developing curricula and intercultural communication.
Students learn about second language acquisition, grammar, and linguistics. They also study regional and cultural aspects, teaching methods, and research practices.
The programme is structured into modules and culminates in a master's thesis and examination over four semesters.
Graduates gain didactic qualifications and competencies in multilingual communication, enabling them to develop training measures in language teaching.
Periods can differ for EU/EEA and non-EU applicants. Always confirm on the official site before applying.
Winter 2026/27
No tuition
EU/EEA students, within the standard study period (plus the ~€25 ÖH student union fee per semester).
€727 / semester
Non-EU / third-country rate. Always confirm on the official site.
€ 25,20 ÖH-Beitrag plus gegebenenfalls anfallende Studiengebühren im Umfang von € 363,36 bzw. € 726,72
Third-country (non-EU/EEA) applicants generally need to have their prior qualifications legalised and translated for the admission application. Exact rules depend on the country that issued each document — always confirm with the university's admissions office.
Program-specific items — a CV, letter of motivation, an entrance exam (e.g. GMAT, GRE, SAT) or a portfolio — vary by degree. Check this program's requirements above and its official page.
The level of legalisation your certificates need depends on your country of origin:
Apostille
If your country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, an Apostille from the competent authority of the issuing country is sufficient.
No legalisation
A small number of countries have a bilateral agreement with Austria and need no further legalisation.
Full diplomatic legalisation
For all other countries: the full chain — pre-certification by the issuing country's authorities (e.g. Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs), then legalisation by the competent Austrian representation (embassy/consulate).
Translations are usually done after legalisation. Check the required order with the issuing authorities and the Austrian representation.
After admission: proof of sufficient funds, health insurance and the student residence permit are part of the visa process — not university admission. We cover those in the guides.
Founded in 1365, one of the oldest and largest universities in the German-speaking world.
Visit university site€350–€650 / month (dorm room)
1040 WienSingle rooms, double roomsAkademikerhilfe
Mayerhofgasse 3, 1040 WienSingle & shared roomsAkademikerhilfe
1080 WienSingle rooms, double roomsHome4students