Worldwide recognition

Recognition of ÖSD exams in Austria

ÖSD Zertifikat A1 (ZA1) and higher levels of ÖSD certificates (ZA2–ZC2) as proof of language competence in German can be used to apply for permanent residence for family members, in accordance with the Settlement and Residence Act “family reunification”
For admission to German speaking vocational institutions (for instance Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, Caritas training centre for social professions, etc.)
For admission to German-speaking study programmes at Austrian Universities as proof of language competence in German (application or admission to a preparatory year (“Antrag auf Erteilung eines Studienplatzes”): ÖSD Zertifikat A2 for the admission for a regular study (=enrolment) depending on the university and the field of study: ÖSD Zertifikat B1, B2, C1 or C2)

Further information regarding the recognition of ÖSD exams in Austria can be obtained here.

Recognition at Austrian universities*

A proof of German language proficiency is required to be admitted to a regular study at an Austrian university. The level of German language proficiency depends on the requirements of the field of study.

Attention: New!

Due to a change in the University Act, university applicants already have to submit a proof of German language skills (level A2) when applying for admission to a German speaking field of study or a preparatory year (“Antrag auf Erteilung eines Studienplatzes”). Admissions to a regular study require levels B1 to C1, depending on the university and the field of study (for further information see the table below).

X recognized Swipe the table left/right

University	B1	B2	C1
Boku Wien		X	X
Medizinische Universität Innsbruck			X
Medizinische Universität Wien			X
TU Graz			X
Universität Graz			X
Universität Innsbruck		X	X*	*for Master’s degree in Translation
Universität Klagenfurt		X	X*	*for German Studies and Bachelor’s degree in teacher education: C1
Universität Linz			X
Universität Salzburg		X
Universität Wien			X
Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien		X	X
Masterstudium DaF/DaZ an der Universität Wien			X
Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien	X*	X*	X*	*For certain degree programmes. Please contact the institution for further information.
Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien			X
TU Wien			X

*Regarding the proof of language proficiency required, please contact the respective institution in advance.

Recognition of ÖSD exams in Germany

ÖSD Zertifikat A1 (ZA1) and higher levels of ÖSD exams (ZA2–ZC2) as proof of German language proficiency within the scope of the immigration of spouses (German Immigration Act) for submission at German agencies abroad according to the Federal Foreign office’s instruction.
ÖSD Zertifikat B1 (ZB1) as proof of German language proficiency for naturalisation in Germany.
For admission to study programmes at German universities as proof of language competence in German (depending on the university, see below: ÖSD Zertifikat B2, ÖSD Zertifikat C1 or ÖSD Zertifikat C2)

Further information regarding recognition of A2 language certificates in Germany can be found here.

Further information regarding recognition of B1 language certificates in Germany can be found here.

Further information regarding recognition of B2 language certificates in Germany can be found here.

Further information regarding recognition of C1 language certificates in Germany can be found here.

Further information regarding recognition of C2 language certificates in Germany can be found here.

Recognition at German universities*

X recognized Swipe the table left/right

University	B2	C1	C2
Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg	X	X	X	B2, C1 and C2 are accepted for application
Universität Bayreuth	X	X		B2 and C1 are accepted for application
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin		X
Ruhr-Universität Bochum		X
Universität Bonn			X
Hochschule Bremen		X	X
Hochschule Bremerhaven	X	X	X
Technische Universität Darmstadt		X
Universität Erfurt		X	X
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management	X	X	X
TU Bergakademie Freiberg		X
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen			X	B2 and C1 are accepted for application
FernUniversität Hagen		X	X
Universität Hamburg		X
Universität Hohenheim		X
Technische Universität Ilmenau		X	X
Hochschule Karlsruhe			X
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology		X
Universität Leipzig		X	X	C2 is accepted for all economic studies
Universität zu Lübeck		X
Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg			X
Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz		X
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg		X
Universität Passau		X		sufficient for admission, enrolment subject to the evidence of DSH-2 or equal
Universität Potsdam		X
Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart		X	X
Hochschule Vechta		X
Bauhaus Universität Weimar		X
Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg		X	X

*Regarding the proof of language proficiency required, please contact the respective institution in advance.

Recognition of ÖSD exams in Switzerland

For admission to study programmes at Swiss universities as proof of language competence in German (depending on the university, see below: ÖSD Zertifikat B2, ÖSD Zertifikat C1 or ÖSD Zertifikat C2)

For more information about the recognition of language certificates in Switzerland, please visit: fide – recognized language certificates

Recognition at Swiss universities*

X recognized Swipe the table left/right

University	C1	C2
Universität Zürich	X	X
Universität St. Gallen	X	X	C1 for Bachelor’s degree programmes, C2 for Master’s degree programmes
ETH Zürich	X	X	for Master’s degree programmes
Universität Luzern	X	X