Application
As a matter of principle, students must fulfil the admission requirements analogous to section 63 and 64 of the Austrian University Act (UG 2002), in particular they must provide proof of a “general university entrance qualification”, an Austrian or “European school leaving certificate” or an “equivalent certificate” (e.g. Abitur, International Baccalaureate), as well as the “special university entrance qualification” within the meaning of section 65 UG for the chosen study programme.
The admission procedure does not focus on the student’s grade on the Matura or Abitur, but on a “Matura-plus concept”. The objective of this admissions procedure is to find talented and motivated young people who can be expected to learn scientific thinking on their own, and who are ethically motivated to work in medical professions, and who are willing and able to undergo professional training and education and develop the ability to come up with ideas and the will to shape their field. Foreign applicants, for example from other EU countries as well as other countries, have equal opportunities, taking into account legislation and fulfilment of ENIC-NARIC requirements. The admission procedure is based on the principle of an objective, evidence-based selection in several stages.
Admission process
The admission process consists of an application process (1) and a selection process (2).
1. Application documents
The application must include:
- Completed registration form
- Detailed CV with passport photo
- Statement of motivation (at least one A4 page)
- If applicable, a certificate from a three-month medical internship (can be submitted up to the general examination MED1)
- If applicable, a certificate from a first aid course (can be submitted up to the general examination MED1)
- Copy of passport
- Copy of E-card (if your main residence is in Austria)
- Proof of general* and special university entrance qualification**
- If applicable, proof of knowledge of the German language (if not obvious)
- Applicants who have already been admitted to another Austrian university must submit the certificate of departure from this university with their application for admission.
* Upon request, the applicant can be accepted for an admission interview before completing the general university entrance qualification.
** The special university entrance qualification consists of classes in Latin (10 hours per week after the eighth grade) and science subjects (4 hours per week after the eighth grade). Alternatively, the Latin exam can be taken at the university while studying. The Latin exam must be passed before the bachelor's degree exam. According to the Austrian University Qualification Ordinance (Universitätsberechtigungsverordnung, UBVO), the applicant can apply for the university to determine the necessary knowledge in another way as an alternative to providing evidence of the 4 hours per week of science subjects after the eighth grade,. Upon application, the applicant can be accepted for an admission interview before completing the special university entrance qualification.
The application documents are examined for completeness by DPU’s admission committee and the completeness is determined by the admission committee. If the application documents are complete, the applicant will be accepted to the admission process.
2. Admission process
The admission process consists of a written admission test and an admission interview. The prerequisite for an admission interview is successful completion of the written admission test.
For the admission interview, DPU’s admission committee is provided with the completed written admission test and the personal results for the admission test. The application documents are available (see 1).
The admission interview, which is conducted in German by the admission committee, lasts a maximum of one hour. After an introductory discussion of the application documents, the interview is divided into two parts:
- The first part consists of a multiple mini interview (MMI) which has several steps (recommended reading includes Hayk Hakobyan, The Ultimate Guide to the Multiple Mini Interview and Samir P. Desai, Multiple Mini Interview).*** The recommended reading outlines the MMI and tips for successful completion.
- The second part deals with the basics of medicine (biology, chemistry and physics; with a focus on biology). Advanced knowledge in biology, chemistry and physics is required.****
*** The multiple mini interview comes from CanMEDS 2015. Against this background, the following reading is recommended for more in-depth knowledge (optional): Susan Glover Takahashi: CanMEDS Teaching and Assessment Tools Guide.
**** Recommended reading: Wolfgang Kirsch: “Fit fürs Abi: Chemie Oberstufenwissen 2018”; Karlheinz Uhlenbrock: “Fit fürs Abi: Biologie Oberstufenwissen 2018”; Dirk Kähler: “Fit fürs Abi: Physik Oberstufenwissen 2018”.
The admission committee then decides on the admission of the applicant. This is part of the assessment of personal suitability (factors: school leaving certificate, CV and cover letter, prior scientific knowledge, multiple mini interview).