No, it's not the same as the front wheel drive golfs.
You'll need to remove the plastic inner wheel arch guard to access the top shock absorber bolt.
Once you've raised the car at the back (both sides at the same time makes it easier) it will help you to use a trolley jack or similar to relieve the pressure on the suspension, to allow you to remove the bottom bolt, connected to the ARB droplink..
Once you've done this you can remove the trolley jack, let it drop to it's natural full extent, and you *shoud* be able to manipulate the springs out (and new ones in). Then your shocks can go in reverse of the above.
I can't give you a definitive way of doing this as I was refurbing my control arms & trailing arms and re-bushing them at the same time as replacing the shocks and springs, so I had the whole lot out which made it easier for me.
But the whole rear process is really fairly easy. You'll see when you get into it.
Remember to replace the bolts top and bottom of the shock (sorry I don't have the part numbers) - it's recommended by VW, they cost buttons and gives peace of mind. Hope this helps you out.
Photo of mine all back together below, doesn't show you the detail but might give you a general idea?
