Vienna English Language Test (VELT)
Admission to Integrated Language and Study Skills 1 (ILSS1); Integrated Language and Study Skills (ILSS); Spoken Production, Interaction and Fluency (SPIF); and ELT Methodology in Practice 1 (EMiP) is subject to your performance on the Vienna English Language Test (VELT). The VELT is a standardised language test assessing advanced communicative language competences, including linguistic, sociolinguistic and pragmatic competences, by means of multiple-choice items. The VELT is not an entrance examination but aims to ensure that all students have achieved (upper) B2-level language proficiency in the selected areas.
Information about test administration, including the test time, location and group, will be sent to your u:account address at least one working day before the test takes place.
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VELT (from September 2026 onwards)
Due to the introduction of the new curriculum for the Teacher Education Programme UF Englisch (Version 2026), the validity of the VELT will be extended from three to five semesters. Please note that this applies only to test results obtained from September 2026 onwards. All previous VELT results remain valid for three semesters.
This rule also applies to students in the BA English and American Studies programme.
NB: Students in the new Teacher Education Programme need a valid VELT result in order to register for the following courses:
- 04.1 Integrated Language and Study Skills
- 06.1 Spoken Production, Interaction and Fluency + Laborpraktikum
- 07.1 ELT Methodology in Practice 1
Students whose VELT results have expired but who wish to register for these courses need to retake the VELT.
What you need to know about the VELT
The VELT is a compulsory part of all our bachelor's programmes.
- A pass result on the VELT is required in order to register for Integrated Language and Study Skills; Spoken Production, Interaction and Fluency; and ELT Methodology in Practice 1.
- The VELT is compulsory for both bachelor students (BA) and students in the teacher education programme (BEd).
You should plan carefully when you take the VELT in order to avoid delays in your studies.
- The test is offered twice a year, at the beginning of each semester:
- Winter term: mid/end September
- Summer term: mid/end February
- We recommend taking the VELT before your first semester, but you only need it once you have passed the STEOP.
- If you want to take ILSS, SPIF or EMiP directly after passing the VELT, you need to register for the VELT and these courses during the same registration period. Do not wait for your VELT result before registering.
VELT as a prerequisite across our degree programmes
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BA English and American Studies
- 02.1 Integrated Language and Study Skills 1 (ILSS 1)
for further prerequisites cf. Curriculum (PDF)
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BEd UF Englisch (Version 2022) old
- 03.1 Integrated Language and Study Skills 1 (ILSS 1)
for further prerequisites cf. Curriculum (PDF)
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BEd UF Englisch (Version 2026) new
- 04.1 Integrated Language and Study Skills
- 06.1 Spoken Production, Interaction and Fluency + Laborpraktikum
- 07.1 ELT Methodology in Practice 1
for further prerequisites cf. Curriculum (PDF)
Registering for the VELT
You need to register for the VELT in advance.
- The registration period will be announced at the top of this page
- To register, you first need to find the upcoming VELT on u:find. There are two ways to do so:
- Search for "VELT" in the u:find search bar ⇨ select "Exams" ⇨ select the upcoming test date (RED)
- Go to the BA/BEd course directory of the upcoming semester ⇨ select "VELT/Language Test" ⇨ select the upcoming test date (RED)."Register/Deregister for this exam" will then automatically forward you to u:space, where you can complete the registration process as usual.
There are no exceptions: students who fail to register will be turned away if they show up for the test.
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During the VELT
The VELT follows a specific procedure. Make sure you come prepared.
- Total test time (including instructions): 60 minutes.
- Test candidates will be divided into groups with different starting times.
- You will be assigned to a specific sector. Please go to the corresponding entrance when lining up to be admitted.
- You must bring proof of identity to the test (u:card, passport, or driving licence).
- Starting times and sectors will be announced at the top of this page at least one working day before the VELT takes place.
- The test schedule will also include instructions. Please read them carefully.
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After the VELT
You will receive an e-mail as soon as your VELT results are available.
- You will receive either a pass (+) or a fail result (-). This result will appear in u:space and your transcript of records (Sammelzeugnis).
- If you would like to find out by how much you have exceeded or fallen short of the cut-off score, you can check your results in the VELT Moodle course, which will be available after the grades have been entered. For example, +35 means that you exceeded the cut-off score by 35%; -40 means that you fell short of the cut-off score by 40%.
- As the VELT is a language proficiency test, not an exam, you cannot access or review your test papers.
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Negative VELT result
Students who have failed the VELT need to retake it the following semester.
- You can take the VELT as often as you like. There is no limit to the number of resits.
- Failing the VELT only means that you cannot take ILSS, SPIF or EMiP yet; there are no other consequences.
- Therefore, you will be deregistered before course allocation begins.
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Positive VELT result
Students who have passed the VELT are allowed to take ILSS, SPIF and EMiP.
- However, you must also have completed the introductory and orientation period (STEOP) in order to register for these courses.
- For students who have registered for these courses, allocation to specific groups will take place as soon as the test results are available.
- If you did not register in u:space before taking the VELT, your only option is to sign up for remaining course places during late registration.
- Pass results are valid for five semesters. For example, if you took the test in WS 2026, it is valid for WS 2026, SS 2027, WS 2027, SS 2028 and WS 2028.
More information on the format, example questions, and helpful tips for passing the VELT.