Missing certificates, what to do?
In order for us to know what competencies you have, or if you are eligible to participate in selected courses in preparation for a degree program, we need evidence of your competencies (e.g.: the general university entrance qualifications, and clarification of sufficient German language skills - or English language skills if you are participating in English language courses).
If you can not provide certificates, there is an alternative way, to show us what you have already learned in your previous studies or training: The so-called background paper.
The background paper is completed by the prospect and contains the following information:
Detailed information about the content, level, and substance of the training:
- Personal data such as name, date of birth, place of birth, etc.
- Name of qualifications acquired in the country of origin Name of the educational institution where the education was completed The level (level) of education acquired: duration of studies, calendar years of education (e.g.: 2010 - 2013), name of the degree programme Description of the contents of the programme - with module descriptions, contents of seminars and lectures, evaluation and scope of work (if a transcript of records is missing) Confirmation of the interested party that the information has been legally reproduced (with signature of the interested party)
Documents and Supporting Evidence:
The interested party submits as many relevant documents as possible that can confirm the submitted documents in point A., such as:
- Matriculation number (if possible)
- Documents of education (transcript, school certificates, etc.)
- Confirmation of the award of a degree of education
- Confirmation of professional experience
- Any other evidence, such as: Names of professors, course descriptions, etc.
Step 2: Assess the qualifications of the prospect
Based on the information you submitted in the background paper, officers at the FHV will review your file.
Step 3: The evaluation process
If necessary, the third step is to review your paperwork through an evaluation process. This will depend on the quality of the information submitted by the prospect and recorded in the background paper.
An evaluation procedure may consist of:
- An interview of the prospective student conducted by degree programme specialists on important topics related to the degree programme
- An entrance examination (similar to an entrance examination of the admission procedure)
Nostrification is the recognition of a foreign degree as equivalent to a domestic bachelor's, master's, diploma or doctorate degree by the body responsible for study matters at a university or by the University of Applied Sciences Board.
As required, supplementary examinations may be prescribed for the nostrification.
Successful nostrification means full equivalence with the Austrian degree, the right to use the corresponding Austrian academic degree and the right to exercise a profession associated with a degree in Austria.
However, this is NOT REQUIRED for admission to the selected courses for refugees at the FHV.