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Study Abroad Austria

Admission to non university higher education studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Reifeprüfung/Matura

For entry to: Teacher Training, Social Work, Medical Technical Schools

Entrance exams required:

Depending on the objectives of the programme, entrants with special professional training may have to pass a number of additional examinations, either prior to admission or by a deadline, in any case before the beginning of the second year of studies.

Admission to university-level studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Reifeprüfung/Matura

For entry to: All higher education institutions (universities, universities of the arts, Fachhochschule programmes)

Alternatives to credentials: Studienberechtigungsprüfung: examination giving access to higher education to Austrian nationals who are over 22 years of age and do not possess a Reifezeugnis but who have a professional or non-professional experience. It is valid only for those subjects in which it has been taken.Relevant professional qualification in combination with certain additional examinations in subjects of general education (only for Fachhochschule programmes).

Foreign students admission

Definition of foreign student: A person who does not have Austrian citizenship. Foreign nationals who enjoy equal status with Austrian nationals are: citizens of Luxemburg, citizens of Liechtenstein and those born in the province of Bolzano (Italy) with German mother tongue, who have declared themselves members of these language communities and who do not have Austrian citizenship.

Quotas: The prerequisite is that there are sufficient places available for foreign students. EU and EEA citizens are admitted regardless of the number of places available.

Admission requirements: Foreign students are admitted to study courses at university if their qualifications are equivalent to the "Matura" (Reifezeugnis) and qualify them for entry to a university in their own country. They also must give evidence that an institution of higher education in the awarding country would accept them for university studies in the respective field.

Language requirements: Good knowledge of German is essential. In case of doubt, students must pass the compulsory German language examination (both written and oral) at the university before registering as full-time students. German language study facilities are available in all university towns and at a number of language schools. For students from the Near East, special courses are also conducted by the Hammer-Purgstall Society.

Application procedures:

Apply to individual institution for entry to: Universities, universities of the arts, Fachhochschule programmes

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): The Austrian Accreditation Council (Akkreditierungsrat) evaluates private universities and programmes (http://www.bmbwk.gv.at)..

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):

NARIC. Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur

Head: Heinz Kasparovsky, Head of NARIC/ENIC

Administrative officer: Christoph Demand, Deputy Head

Teinfaltstrasse 8
A 1014 Wien
Austria

Tel: +43(1) 531-20-5920

Fax: +43(1) 531-20-7890

Telex: 111157 bmfwf a

Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University and Profession

Services provided & students dealt with: The office answers questions on equivalence of studies, carries out recognition of foreign diplomas where bilateral agreements exist and gives assessment and advice for all other cases. It also deals with professional recognition, as far as professions based on academic training are concerned.

Special provisions for recognition:

For access to university level studies: Higher education entrance qualifications are declared equivalent according to international agreements, such as the Lisbon Recognition Convention or the European Convention on the Equivalence of Diplomas or unilateral or bilateral agreements with certain European countries.

Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies

Name of agreement: Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education in the Europe Region (Lisbon Convention)

Year of signature: 1997

Bilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign credentials