Johannes Kepler University Linz Admission Requirements 2027

Requirements

Bachelor and diploma

A certificate of general university entrance qualification confirming completed secondary education that is recognised for higher education access; a number of countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Afghanistan, need extra verification of the issuing institution. German-taught programmes need a German certificate at A2, not older than two years, at the time of application. English-taught programmes need an English certificate instead (IELTS 6.5 with 6.5 in each skill, or TOEFL iBT 88 with 22 in each skill).

Master

A completed bachelor's degree recognised as giving entry to the field. Non-EU/EEA applicants apply well ahead of the semester, on the same schedule as bachelor's applicants. Language requirement follows the programme's language of instruction, on the same German A2 / English test basis as bachelor's admission.

PhD

A completed master's degree or equivalent and admission to a doctoral programme; JKU accepts doctoral applications year round with no fixed deadline.

Documents

Certificate of general university entrance qualification (secondary school leaving certificate) or prior degree certificate and transcript. German or English language certificate matching the programme's language of instruction, not older than two years. Passport copy. Additional verification documents for applicants whose qualifying institution needs extra scrutiny under JKU's country-specific guidance.

How to apply

1. Check your programme's language of instruction and confirm your qualification gives access to higher education in your home country.
2. Apply online within the non-EU/EEA window if you are a third-country national (well ahead of the semester start), or the later EU/EEA window if you qualify for it; there is no application fee.
3. Submit your school leaving or degree certificate and language certificate.
4. Wait for the admission decision; processing can take several months, so JKU recommends applying as early as the window allows.
5. Complete in-person enrolment by the enrolment deadline and pay the tuition fee, where it applies, and the ÖH union fee each semester.

English test waiver

IELTS Academic needs at least 6.5 in each of the four skills, not just overall. TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) needs 88 with at least 22 in each of the four skills for certificates issued before January 2026; from January 2026, TOEFL moved to a new scale and JKU lists the equivalent as 5 overall with at least 5 in each skill. An IB diploma with English, at least 4 semesters of study taught in English at a recognised institution in the EU/EEA, Switzerland, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand or Canada, or Cambridge CAE at Grade B or better, can substitute for a test.