Access to higher education in Austria (General University Entrance Qualification)
Do you want to study in Austria? If so, you will need to provide proof of your general university entrance qualification. Find out how here.
How can the general university entrance qualification be proven?
The general university entrance qualification is fulfilled with an Austrian school leaving certificate (Reifeprüfungszeugnis) or a university entrance qualification examination (Studienberechtigungsprüfung), but also with an "IB Diploma" or a European Baccalaureate certificate. In addition, all foreign qualifications can be considered as proof if they open up access to higher education in the issuing country.
When does a foreign qualification count as proof of general university entrance qualification?
The law provides three options:
- Decision of the higher education institution: The examination of the general university entrance qualification is carried out by the higher education institution itself. If the higher education institution determines that the foreign degree qualifies its holder for access to higher education in the issuing country and does not differ significantly from an Austrian school leaving certificate, the general university entrance qualification is thereby proven.
- An “IB diploma” obtained in accordance with the respective regulations, a “European Baccalaureate Certificate” or a higher education entrance qualification recognized by international agreement also fulfill the general university entrance requirement.
- A completed study programme lasting at least three years at a recognized Austrian or foreign higher education institution.
Are there any other requirements for admission to a degree program?
The general university entrance qualification is a prerequisite for access to higher education, i.e. to apply for admission to a study programme. However, admission to a specific study programme can be made dependent on the fulfillment of further requirements, such as proof of language skills or the existence of a special university entrance qualification for the chosen study programme.
Is the university entrance qualification examination (Studienberechtigungsprüfung) a fully-fledged substitute for the school-leaving examination?
The university entrance qualification examination (Studienberechtigungsprüfung) offers the opportunity to be admitted to a certain field of study or group of fields of study without taking the school-leaving examination (Reifeprüfung); however, it is not an Austrian school-leaving examination. For this reason, the university entrance qualification examination alone does not generally offer any direct career advancement opportunities. In addition, the university entrance qualification examination requires a minimum age of 20 years, citizenship of an EEA member state and proof of previous vocational or non-vocational education and training relevant to the intended study programme. However, the secondary-school leaving examination can be taken in the form of an external examination (Externistenprüfung) in the second educational pathway. The certificate of the TVE diploma examination (Berufsreifeprüfung) is a fully-fledged Austrian school-leaving examination and allows unrestricted access to universities, universities of applied sciences and university colleges of teacher education.
Do you have questions about access to higher education in Austria? If so, you can contact the study departments at the individual universities and university colleges of teacher education, or the degree program directors at the universities of applied sciences, as well as the relevant offices at the private universities.
Legal basis
- § 64 Universities Act 2002 – UG
- § 4 para. 4 Universities of Applied Sciences Act – FHG
- § 52b Higher Education Act 2005 – HG (currently available in German only)
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