Vienna English Language Test (VELT)

Admission to the course Integrated Language and Study Skills 1 (ILSS 1), the first language course in the BA and BEd programmes, is subject to your performance on a standardised language test - the Vienna English Language Test (VELT). VELT was developed at our department and tests advanced reading skills, vocabulary and grammar by means of multiple choice items. VELT is not an entrance examination but aims to ensure that all students in ILSS 1 have achieved (upper) B2 language competence.

Vienna English Language Test (VELT)
Exam date21.02.2024
Registration and de-registration

24.01.2024 00:00 - 14.02.2024 12:00 (noon)

de-registration: until 14.02.2024 (23:59)

Exam location

Auditorium Maximum Tiefparterre Hauptgebäude Stiege 10


Information on the time of your exam, your examination hall and which group you are in will be sent by e-mail to your u:account address at least 1 work day before the exam takes place. 
  
  

What you need to know about VELT

This page is all about administrative matters surrounding VELT. If you want to find out more about the test content and format, please refer to the following pages:

 Here are the most important points you need to know about VELT and its place in your studies:

  • VELT is an obligatory part of all of our bachelor's programmes.
    • A pass result on VELT is required in order to take part in Integrated Language and Study Skills 1 (ILSS 1). You cannot register for ILSS 1 without having passed VELT.
    • Therefore, VELT is obligatory for both bachelor students (BA) and students in the teacher education programme (BEd).
    • There are no exceptions for native speakers of English; they need to pass VELT as well.
    • VELT cannot be replaced by other language tests or language certificates.
  • You should plan carefully when you take VELT if you don't want to get delayed in your studies.
    • The test is offered twice a year, at the beginning of each semester:
      • Winter term: late September/early October
      • Summer term: late February/early March
    • We recommend that you take VELT before your 1st semester, but you only need it once you have passed the STEOP.
    • If you want to take ILSS 1 directly after passing VELT, you need to sign up for VELT and ILSS 1 during the same registration period. Don't wait for your VELT result before signing up for ILSS 1!
  • You need to register for VELT in advance.
    • The registration period will be announced at the top of this page as well as on our page on Exam registration.
    • To register, you need to find the coming VELT on U:FIND first. There are two ways to accomplish that:
      1. Search in the U:FIND search bar for "VELT" ⇨ select "Exams" ⇨ select the coming exam date (RED)
      2. Go to the BA/BEd course directory of the coming semester ⇨ select "VELT/Language Test" ⇨ select the coming exam date (RED)
      "Register/Deregister for this exam" will then automatically forward you to U:SPACE, where you follow the registration process as per usual.
    • There are no exceptions; students who failed to register will be turned away if they show up at the exam.
  • VELT follows a specific test procedure. Make sure you come prepared!
    • The total examination time (including instructions) is 60 minutes.
    • Test candidates will be divided into groups with different starting times.
    • You will be assigned to a specific sector. You need to go to the corresponding entrance when lining up to be let in.
    • 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 1 workday before VELT takes place.
    • The exam schedule will also include instructions. Please read them carefully.
  • You will receive an e-mail as soon as your VELT results are available.
    • You will get either a pass (+) or a fail result (-). This result will show up in U:SPACE and your transcript of records (Sammelzeugnis).
    • If you want to find out by how much you have surpassed/missed the cut-off score, you can check your results in the VELT Moodle course, which will be available after the grades are entered. For example, +35 means you have surpassed the cut-off score by 35%; -40 means you have missed the cut-off score by 40%.
    • As VELT is a language proficiency test, you can't get access to your test papers.
  • Students who have passed VELT are allowed to take part in ILSS 1.
    • However, to be able to register for ILSS 1, you have to have completed the introductory and orientation period (STEOP) as well.
    • For all those who signed up for ILSS 1, allocation to specific groups will take place as soon as the test results are available.
    • If you didn't register for ILSS 1 in U:SPACE before you took the test, your only option is to sign up for remaining course places during late registration.
    • Pass results are valid for 3 semesters. For example, if you took the exam in WS 2017, it is valid for WS 2017, SS 2018 and WS 2018.
  • Students who have failed VELT will have to retake it the following semester.
    • You can take VELT as often as you like. There is no limit to the number of resits.
    • There is only one consequence to failing VELT: You can't take part in ILSS 1 yet.
    • Therefore, you will be deregistered from ILSS 1 before course allocation starts.