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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:

  1. Completed registration form
  2. Detailed CV with passport photo
  3. Statement of motivation (at least one A4 page)
  4. If applicable, a certificate from a three-month medical internship (can be submitted up to the general examination MED1)
  5. If applicable, a certificate from a first aid course (can be submitted up to the general examination MED1)
  6. Copy of passport
  7. Copy of E-card (if your main residence is in Austria)
  8. Proof of general* and special university entrance qualification**
  9. If applicable, proof of knowledge of the German language (if not obvious)
  10. 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.

Application Form (in German only)

2. Admission Procedure

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.

You can find the current admission test dates at DPU here.

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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).

3. Allocation of Study Places

The admissions committee then decides on the admission of the applicant. This is done within the framework of the assessment of personal suitability (factors: final school grade, curriculum vitae and motivation letter, prior knowledge in the natural sciences, Multiple Mini Interview).

4. FAQ

When does the application period begin, and by when must the application documents be submitted?

Applications for the consecutive Human Medicine degree programme at Danube Private University (DPU) can generally be submitted throughout the entire year.
The current dates for the DPU admission tests can be found here.

Applicants are welcome to coordinate their preferred admission test date in advance with the Student Administration Office. The Student Administration Office can be contacted using the following details:
Email: humanmedizin@dp-uni.ac.at
Phone: +43 676 842 419 328

The complete application documents, including the preferred date for the admission test, must be submitted digitally directly to the Human Medicine Student Administration Office at the following email address: humanmedizin@dp-uni.ac.at

 

How long does the Human Medicine programme take, and where can it be studied at Danube Private University?

The consecutive Human Medicine programme at Danube Private University is designed as a full-time course of study and comprises a standard duration of six years, corresponding to a total of twelve semesters.
The programme is structured into a Bachelor’s degree programme followed by a consecutive Master’s degree programme:

  • Location of the Bachelor’s programme in Human Medicine:
    Campus Krems an der Donau

  • Location of the Master’s programme in Human Medicine:
    Campus Wiener Neustadt

 

What is the preparatory science course, and when does it take place?

If science subjects (Biology and/or Chemistry and/or Physics) have not been successfully completed after the 8th grade at an upper secondary school for a minimum of four lessons per week until the completion of the school-leaving examination (Matura/Abitur), students are required to complete a preparatory science course prior to the start of their studies at Danube Private University. The course concludes with a subject-specific oral examination, which must be passed successfully.

The preparatory science course generally takes place from the end of August to mid-September, prior to the commencement of the study programme, and is conducted under the direction of Professor Engel.

The duration of the course is eight days. The participation fee is EUR 1,450.

 

Is direct entry into a higher semester possible, and what does the application and placement process involve?

Step 1: Application
Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year. In addition to the standard application documents, applicants are required to provide the following:
Curriculum of the previous degree programme
Transcript of Records (ToR)
Module handbook, including detailed module descriptions (learning outcomes, course content, and recommended literature)

Step 2: Evaluation and Admission Interview
Following a positive evaluation of the submitted documents, applicants will be invited to an oral admission interview with the Programme Director. Based on the outcome of the academic assessment, the appropriate semester placement and the earliest possible entry date will be determined, considering the respective study cohort and available capacity.

Important Information

  • Completion of previous semesters at another institution does not automatically qualify applicants for placement into the corresponding semester at Danube Private University. Semester placement is determined on the basis of an individual assessment and comparison of the respective curricula.
  • Direct entry into a higher semester is currently available only for the Bachelor's programme. Alternatively, applicants may apply for direct admission to the Master's programme. In this case, the entrance examination comprises the full content of the oral MED1 comprehensive examination.
  • Direct admission to the Master's programme is only available to applicants who have already completed a Bachelor's degree in Human Medicine. Applicants without such a degree must first obtain the Bachelor's qualification (which may also be completed at Danube Private University).
  • The application processing fee amounts to EUR 3,950 and consists of EUR 850 for the admission examination and EUR 3,100 for the individual evaluation of the application documents and the academic placement assessment.

 

Are there scholarship opportunities for the Human Medicine programme at Danube Private University?

Yes, Danube Private University offers various scholarship and funding opportunities for students enrolled in the Human Medicine programme. These opportunities are announced on a regular basis and communicated in a timely manner.
Interested applicants can find information on the respective eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and funding conditions here.

 

When is the study agreement issued?

Following the successful completion of the admission process and a positive review by the university management, the study agreement will be issued.
The processing time may vary depending on the number of applicants participating in the admission procedure. In general, applicants can expect to receive feedback regarding the offer or rejection of a study place within approximately two weeks.

 

What makes the Human Medicine programme at Danube Private University unique?

The Human Medicine programme at Danube Private University is distinguished by its personalised learning environment, practice-oriented education, and innovative curriculum.

Our students
Small-group teaching enables close collaboration among students, fosters a strong sense of community within each cohort, and ensures individualised academic support throughout the entire programme. These features contribute significantly to the high quality of education and the supportive learning environment that characterise Danube Private University.

Our academic excellence
Seminars and practical training are delivered by experienced academics and practising physicians from a wide range of medical specialties. This ensures that our students receive a rigorous scientific education while developing strong clinical competencies through continuous integration of theory and practice.

Our clinical partnerships
Through our collaborations with the University Hospitals in Wiener Neustadt, Neunkirchen, and Hochegg, our students benefit from access to state-of-the-art clinical training facilities. These partnerships provide outstanding opportunities for supervised clinical education and ensure the seamless integration of practical training—including bedside teaching, clinical electives, and the Clinical Practical Year (CPY)—with the academic curriculum at Danube Private University.