Admission and entry requirements
Certificates, supporting documents, and language entry requirements
In order to study at FHV, certain admission and enrolment requirements must be met. On this page, you can find out what requirements are important for your application to FHV – from formal qualifications to language or subject-specific requirements.
Academic admission requirements
Academic entry requirements for a bachelor's degree programme at FHV:
- the general university entrance qualification or
- a relevant professional qualification with additional examinations.
General university entrance qualification:
- Austrian school leaving certificate including a certificate of vocational maturity or
- University entrance qualification certificate for the field of study defined in the degree programme or
Degree programmes in technology: Engineering studies
Degree programmes in economics: Social and economic studies
Degree programmes in social sciences: Social and economic studies
Health programmes: Social and economic studies or medical and veterinary studies
Design programmes: Social and economic studies
- Equivalent foreign certificate or
A foreign certificate is considered equivalent if it is recognised as equivalent to one of the above-mentioned Austrian qualifications on the basis of an international agreement, nostrification or a decision by the programme director. For example, the Liechtenstein vocational baccalaureate or the German subject-specific higher education entrance qualification are recognised, provided that their subject relevance corresponds to the chosen degree programme.
If equivalence with regard to the content and requirements of an Austrian school-leaving examination is not given, the degree programme director may prescribe supplementary examinations in accordance with Section 4 (6) FHG. These must be taken before admission and are based on the subjects of the intended university entrance examination. A partial examination already successfully completed at an Austrian university can replace the prescribed supplementary examinations.
- Completion of at least three years of study and 180 ECTS at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution
Relevant professional qualification with additional examinations:
- Qualifications from all technical apprenticeships and vocational secondary schools with a training period of at least three years each, or vocational training comparable in scope and requirements, or
- German technical college entrance qualification or
- Swiss vocational baccalaureate
The relevance of the vocational qualifications is described in the respective degree programme. The respective degree programme director decides on the relevance of the subject. Depending on the chosen degree programme, different additional examinations must be taken.
Information for international applicants:
- From Germany:
- Free admission: general university entrance qualification (Abitur) or subject-specific university entrance qualification
- Relevant professional qualification with additional examination: subject-specific technical college entrance qualification
- From Liechtenstein:
- Free admission: general university entrance qualification or Liechtenstein vocational baccalaureate
- From Switzerland:
- Free admission: general university entrance qualification
- Relevant professional qualification with additional examinations: Swiss vocational baccalaureate
Applicants with international background:
Foreign certificates are examined on a case-by-case basis. If (according to § 4 (6) FHG) foreign certificates are not equivalent to an Austrian school leaving certificate in terms of content and requirements, the programme director must prescribe the supplementary examinations that are necessary to establish equivalence with a domestic school leaving certificate and which must be taken before admission.
All documents and certificates issued outside Austria must be translated into German or English and, if necessary, certified before submission.
Academic admission requirements for a master's degree programme at the FHV are:
- Completion of a relevant FHV Bachelor's degree as specified in the programme regulaitons, or
- Completion of an equivalent degree or a degree at NQR Level 6 (Bachelor's level)
to the extent of at least six semesters and 180 ECTS at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution for which admission requires the general university entrance qualification.
If the equivalence is basically given and only individual supplements to the full equivalence are missing, the programme director is entitled to combine the determination of equivalence with the requirement of examinations that can be taken during the respective master's degree.
If the scientific and didactic concept of a degree programme at a university of applied sciences is based on professional experience, access to this degree programme at a university of applied sciences may be restricted to an appropriate target group.
Which educational qualifications apply as subject-related admission requirements for a specific FHV master's degree programme can be found under the heading "Admission requirements" of the respective degree programme or please contact the relevant degree programme administration. There you will also find out whether a minimum ECTS level is required in certain areas.
Applicants with international background:
All documents and certificates issued outside Austria must be translated into German or English and, if necessary, certified. Detailed information about the requirements can be found here.
Language admission requirements
All FHV degree programmes (with the exception of the Master's programme in International Marketing and Leadership) require confirmation of German language proficiency at level B2 based on the CEFR in the four areas of speaking, reading, listening and writing.
The FHV accepts the language certificates and attestations listed below, based on the CEFR, as confirmation of the required language skills. Language certificates are valid indefinitely. Attestations must not be more than five years old at the time of application and must confirm a proficiency level of B2 overall and in each of the four areas of speaking, reading, listening and writing. Any of the certificates listed below at a level higher than B2 may also be recognised as confirmation of language proficiency at level B2.
The definition of the language certificates and attestations listed below is exhaustive; language certificates and attestations other than those listed here will be rejected by the FHV.
Recognised language certificates German B2 (unlimited validity):
- (Vocational) school leaving certificate (Reifeprüfungszeugnis) from a German-speaking school (with German as the language of instruction and examination), including German Fachhochschulreife and Swiss Berufsmaturität
- School leaving certificate (Reifeprüfungszeugnis) from an Austrian or German school abroad
- Degree certificate and transcript of grades/diploma supplement that meets all of the following conditions:
- University degree with a minimum duration of two years (at least 120 ECTS credits completed) and
- German listed as one of the languages of instruction in the Diploma Supplement and
- completed at a recognised university in an EU/EEA country, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the USA, Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
- University entrance qualification examination or supplementary examination as part of a preparatory course at Austrian universities
- Successful completion of the supplementary examination or additional examination in German at an Austrian university of applied sciences
Recognised certificates in German B2 (not older than 5 years):
- Austrian Language Diploma – ÖSD Certificate B2
- Goethe Institute – Goethe Certificate B2
- telc German B2
- German Language Examination for University Admission for Foreign Applicants: DSH2
- German Language Diploma of the Conference of Ministers of Education DSD II
- Test of German as a Foreign Language (Test DaF), minimum level TDN 3
- Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) – ÖIF Test (B2)
All FHV degree programmes require confirmation of English language proficiency at level B2 based on the CEFR in the four areas of speaking, reading, listening and writing.
The FHV accepts the language certificates and attestations listed below, based on the CEFR, as confirmation of the required language skills. Language certificates are valid indefinitely. Attestations must not be more than five years old at the time of application and must confirm a proficiency level of B2 overall and in each of the four areas of speaking, reading, listening and writing. Any of the certificates listed below at a level higher than B2 may also be recognised as confirmation of language proficiency at level B2.
The definition of the language certificates and attestations listed below is exhaustive; language certificates and attestations other than those listed here will be rejected by the FHV.
Recognised language certificates English B2 (unlimited validity):
- (Vocational) school leaving certificate (Reifeprüfungszeugnis) with successfully completed school leaving examination in English or with English as the predominant language of instruction. The following conditions apply:
- The school leaving examination was taken at a school in an EU/EEA member state, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the USA, Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
- If the level of English is not apparent from the certificate, confirmation may be requested from the school management.
- ‘IB Diploma’ in accordance with the regulations of the ‘International Baccalaureate Organisation’, with English as a school subject.
- University entrance qualification examination or supplementary examination in English B2 as part of a preparatory course at Austrian universities
- Successful completion of the supplementary examination or additional examination in English B2 at an Austrian university of applied sciences
- Degree certificate and transcript of grades/diploma supplement that meets all of the following conditions:
- University studies with a minimum duration of two years (at least 120 ECTS credits completed) and
- English listed as one of the languages of instruction in the Diploma Supplement and
- completed at a recognised university in an EU/EEA country, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the USA, Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
Recognised certificates in English B2 (not older than 5 years):
- TOEFL: IBT (internet-based): minimum score of 72 points
- IELTS Academic: Overall Band Score: minimum score of 6.5 points
- Cambridge English First Certificate (FCE): Level B2
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): Result Level B2
- Proof of language proficiency from a university language centre at level B2. The language centre must be located at a university in an EU/EEA member state, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the USA, Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
Legalisation and translation requirements
If your documents were issued outside Austria, additional certification, legalisation, or translation requirements may apply. The exact requirements depend on the country where your documents were issued. Please submit all documents in their original language. If they are not issued in German or English, an official translation must also be provided.
Documents not issued in German or English must be translated by a sworn or officially certified translator.
All stamps, seals, certifications and legalisation notes must also be translated.
List of translators sworn and certified in Austria.
Documents issued in the following countries can be submitted without additional legalisation:
Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.
Documents issued in Hague Convention countries require an Apostille. An Apostille is a certification issued by the competent authority in your country under the Hague Convention.
Full country list:
Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China (including Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao, except Taiwan), Cape Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Georgia, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Marshal Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Oman, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, São Tomé and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, Ukraine, Vanuatu, Venezuela, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay.
If your country is not covered by an exemption agreement or the Hague Convention, full diplomatic legalisation is required.
This involves:
- Certification by the relevant ministry in your country
- Certification by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Legalisation by the Austrian embassy or consulate
For documents issued in certain countries, Austrian authorities are currently unable to carry out the standard legalisation process.
If your documents were issued in one of the countries listed below, please contact our Admissions Office before submitting your application.
At present, this applies to:
Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo – Democratic Republic of (Kinshasa), Iraq, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of), Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan.
Additional verification requirements apply to applicants with educational qualifications from China.
Before starting university or during your first semester:
Please submit a verification from the China Academic Degrees & Graduation Education Development Center (CDGDC) for your Gaokao results and university admission letter.
CDGDC: https://www.cdgdc.edu.cn
After completing one semester at a "211" university or three semesters at another state-recognised university:
Please submit a verification from Academic Evaluation Beijing (APS China).
APS China: https://www.aps.org.cn
Please note that CDGDC verifications are not accepted in cases where an APS verification is required.
For applicants from countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, additional document verification may be required.
If there are doubts about the authenticity of your documents or if further checks are needed, a refundable deposit of EUR 250 may be requested. The deposit will be refunded if your documents are confirmed as authentic and you meet the admission requirements. Any bank charges are your responsibility.
In some cases, we may also ask for original documents or certified copies. We recommend applying early.
Further admission requirements
The prerequisite for beginning studies in a degree programme of the FHV is the conclusion of a private-law education contract between the students and the FHV.
Among other things, this contract regulates the essential rights and obligations of the students, e.g.
- Attendance, academic performance, use of the learning platform
- Timely payment of the ÖH membership fee
- Reasons for termination of studies
- Rights of use and exploitation
- Termination of the education contract
- Determinations of the programme structure, the study and examination regulations, the house rules, fire protection regulations, IT policy, campus card usage regulations and FHV library usage regulations, laboratory regulations
FHV agrees to run its degree programmes in accordance with the appropriate laws and regulations, ensuring that students are able to complete their studies within the standard period of time.
Examples of education contracts (subject to change):
Example of an education contract for postgraduate courses under Section 9 of the Further Education Act (FHG), run in collaboration with Schloss Hofen – Wissenschafts- und Weiterbildungsges.m.b.H.:
Questions about admission requirements?
If you have any general questions, please feel free to contact the Student Advisory Service.
If you have any questions specific to your degree programme, please contact the relevant programme administration office. Contact details can be found on the relevant degree programme page.