Document Translation for University Admission in Austria (2026)

“Submitted my documents through uni-assist, now just waiting…” - that’s what one Ukrainian student posted on an expat forum. The problem? Uni-assist is a service for German universities. It doesn’t work in Austria. She wasted time and money, and her documents never even reached the Austrian university. So you don’t make the same mistake, let’s break down how Austrian university admission actually works, what documents need translation, and how much it all costs.

Uni-assist is for Germany, not Austria¶

If you’re googling “uni-assist Austria” - stop right there. Uni-assist (Universitätsassistenz) is an organization that evaluates foreign documents for admission to German universities. In Austria, each university handles applications on its own through its admissions office (Studien- und Prüfungsabteilung or Zulassungsstelle).

That’s both good and bad. Good - because you don’t pay 75 euros for a middleman. Bad - because each university can have its own quirks, and there’s no unified portal. Always check the requirements on the specific university’s website.

Types of universities in Austria¶

Universitäten - 22 public universities (Universität Wien, TU Wien, Universität Graz, and others). Traditional academic education, 3-year bachelor’s, 2-year master’s. Application deadline for winter semester - September 5, for summer semester - February 5.

Fachhochschulen (FH) - universities of applied sciences, about 21 in total. More practical training, smaller groups, often with built-in internships. Deadlines vary - usually March through June. For non-EU applicants, some FH close applications even earlier (end of May).

Privatuniversitäten - private universities with full accreditation. Higher fees, but admission is often easier and deadlines more flexible.

The official portal for finding programs is studyinaustria.at. You can filter by language, level, and field of study.

Which documents need translation¶

Translation is only required if the document wasn’t issued in German or English. For Ukrainian documents - it’s always needed.

Some universities may also ask for proof that you’re eligible to enter a similar program in your home country. For bachelor’s programs, the school certificate itself usually covers this. For master’s, it’s your bachelor’s diploma.

Who should do the translation: Austrian university requirements¶

Here’s where most people mess up. Austria has strict rules about who can provide certified translations for official institutions.

The safest option¶

A translation by an allgemein beeideter und gerichtlich zertifizierter Dolmetscher - a generally sworn and court-certified translator in Austria. Their translation doesn’t need additional legalization - it has legal force right away. These translators have taken an oath before a regional court (Landesgericht), carry an official seal, and are registered in a government database.

Find one in the official registry at sdgliste.justiz.gv.at. Select “Ukrainisch” as the language and you’ll get a list of translators with contact details and locations.

Translations done abroad¶

If your translation was done outside Austria, it also needs to be legalized. A translation by a Ukrainian notary or translation agency won’t be accepted by most Austrian universities without additional diplomatic legalization. Even with an apostille on the original document - the translation itself must come from a recognized translator.

One user on a forum for Ukrainians in Austria shared: “Got my school certificate translated in Kyiv for 600 UAH, came to Vienna - Uni Wien rejected it. Had to find a translator here and pay 120 euros. Lost a week and a lot of nerves.”

The simplest approach - get the translation done directly in Austria. For more details, check our article on the difference between types of translation.

Draft translation - how to save money¶

Sworn translators charge for their time. If you come with a ready draft translation, they only need to review and certify it - that saves money. ChatsControl can produce a draft translation from Ukrainian to German in minutes, and the translator can use it as a starting point.

Apostille: what, where, how¶

Austria is a member of the Hague Convention, so Ukrainian documents need an apostille. The process: first get the apostille in Ukraine on the original document, then have the translation done in Austria. The translator will translate both the document and the apostille text.

The apostille goes on the original. Not on a copy, not on the translation - only on the original. Timeline - 5-10 business days. Cost - about 420 UAH per document. If your documents were lost or destroyed due to the war - there are ways to restore them.

Language requirements for admission¶

German-taught programs¶

Most bachelor’s programs in Austria are taught in German. You’ll need one of these certificates:

• ÖSD Zertifikat B2 or C1 - the Austrian standard, most widely recognized in the country
• TestDaF level TDN 4 in all sections
• DSH-2 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang)
• DSD II (Deutsches Sprachdiplom)

If your German isn’t there yet - that’s fine. Austrian universities offer Vorstudienlehrgang (preparatory courses) - 1-2 semesters of intensive German study at the university. After completing the course, you take the Ergänzungsprüfung Deutsch (EPD) - a supplementary German exam - and can then enroll in your main program.

Preparatory courses run in Vienna (VWU - Vorstudienlehrgang der Wiener Universitäten) and Graz. Cost - from 380 euros per semester.

English-taught programs¶

Some bachelor’s and most master’s programs are available in English. You’ll need one of:

• IELTS 6.0-6.5
• TOEFL iBT 80-95
• Cambridge B2 First or C1 Advanced

Exact requirements are always on the program’s website. Don’t guess - check.

How much does it all cost¶

Total translation budget for a bachelor’s application (certificate + supplement): 100-200 euros. For a master’s (diploma + supplement + transcript): 200-400 euros. Plus apostille for each document.

For comparison: translations for an Austrian residence permit cost roughly the same.

Benefits for Ukrainian students¶

Austria supports Ukrainian students - here’s what’s available:

Tuition fee waiver. Until February 2026, Ukrainian students with temporary protection status (Ausweis für Vertriebene) were exempt from the 363 euro per semester tuition at public universities. Check your university’s website to see if this has been extended - the decision is made annually. The student union fee (22.70 euros) is always required.

Ernst Mach Ukraine Scholarship. 715 euros per month. As of 2026, new applications aren’t being accepted, but 630 students continue receiving the scholarship.

University-specific support programs. Universität Wien, TU Wien, Universität Innsbruck, and others have their own initiatives - from free language courses to mentoring programs. Look for “Information for Students from Ukraine” on the university’s website.

Step-by-step guide¶

Step 1: Choose a university and program¶

Go to studyinaustria.at and search by language, level, and field. Pay attention to the teaching language and deadlines.

Step 2: Check document requirements¶

On the university’s website, find the “Zulassung” or “Admission” section. It’ll have the exact document list, translation requirements, and legalization details. If something’s unclear - email the Zulassungsstelle, they respond.

Step 3: Get the apostille in Ukraine¶

Order an apostille for your school certificate or diploma through the Ministry of Education. If you’re abroad - this can be done through a trusted person or online services. Timeline - 5-10 business days.

Step 4: Get translations done in Austria¶

Find a sworn translator through sdgliste.justiz.gv.at. Send scans of your documents for a cost estimate. Ask for a Kostenvoranschlag (preliminary quote). Translations usually take 3-7 business days.

Step 5: Submit your application¶

Upload documents through the university’s online system. Most universities have electronic submission. Some additionally require certified copies sent by mail.

Step 6: Wait for admission¶

After receiving your admission confirmation (Zulassungsbescheid), apply for a student visa or residence permit. If you already have temporary protection in Austria - you can skip this step and start studying right away.

FAQ¶

Do I need uni-assist to apply to an Austrian university?¶

No. Uni-assist is a service exclusively for German universities. Austrian universities process applications on their own through their admissions offices. Apply directly on the website of your chosen university.

Do Austrian universities accept translations done in Ukraine?¶

In most cases - no. The safest option is a translation by an Austrian court-certified translator (allgemein beeideter und gerichtlich zertifizierter Dolmetscher). Search the registry at sdgliste.justiz.gv.at.

How much does document translation for an Austrian university cost?¶

For a bachelor’s application (school certificate + supplement) - 100-200 euros. For a master’s (diploma + supplement + transcript) - 200-400 euros. Plus apostille - about 420 UAH per document in Ukraine.

Is education in Austria free for Ukrainians?¶

Ukrainian students with temporary protection were exempt from the 363 euro per semester tuition until February 2026. Check the latest information on the university’s website - the decision is renewed annually. The student union fee (22.70 euros) is always required.

Which language certificates do Austrian universities accept?¶

For German-taught programs: ÖSD B2/C1, TestDaF TDN 4, DSH-2, DSD II. For English-taught programs: IELTS 6.0-6.5, TOEFL iBT 80-95, Cambridge B2/C1. If your language level isn’t sufficient yet, there are preparatory courses (Vorstudienlehrgang) lasting 1-2 semesters.