Recognition of Qualifications

Recognition can be applied for at all Austrian universities where a comparable degree program is established. Simultaneous applications at several institutions are not permitted. 

The application can be withdrawn at any time. However, a new application can only be submitted to the institution where the application was previously withdrawn. 

You can apply for the recognition of your degree in the following fields: 

• Medical-Technical Services (MTD): Biomedical Science, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Logopedics - Phoniatrics - Audiology, Orthoptics, Physiotherapy, Radiological Technology; 
• Health Care and Nursing; 
• Midwifery; 
• Social Work; 
• Architecture: Green Building, Civil Engineering and Construction Management; 

At FH Campus Wien, only foreign degrees with a duration of at least three years that were obtained at a recognized higher education institution in a third country can be recognized. 

Degrees obtained in the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland cannot be recognized at an Austrian university. A separate procedure (including EU recognition) is provided for such degrees. Further information is provided by the relevant competent authority: 

• Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection; 
• MA11 (Social Work); 
• Board of Midwives.

Nostrification of foreign secondary school qualifications (technical secondary school qualifications, higher vocational schools, ...) is also not possible at FH Campus Wien. Under certain circumstances, recognition of such qualifications may be possible by the competent authority (e.g.: Nursing Assistant/Nursing Specialist Assistant - MA40 for Vienna). 

If a decision of nostrification has already been issued by another authority (e.g. by the competent office of the provincial government at the time) and the compensatory measures prescribed have not yet been completed, it must first be verified whether the compensatory measures can still be fulfilled. If the requirements can still be met, a new application to FH Campus Wien is not possible. If it is no longer possible to complete the compensatory measures, it may be possible or necessary to file a new application. In case of doubt, please contact the authority that issued the decision or forward the decision to FH Campus Wien by e-mail in advance. 

1. Proof that the recognition is mandatory for practicing the profession or for the continuation of the applicant's training in Austria  
   *only for the degree programs “Social Work”, “Architecture – Green Building” and “Civil Engineering – Construction Management” 
2. Curriculum Vitae (short, with special consideration of previous education) 
3. Passport or photo ID 
4. Certificate of completion of studies and of the award of the academic degree (Diploma) 
5. Academic Transcript/Diploma Supplement 
6. Curriculum of the foreign degree program 
7. *Certificates of any change of name (e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate) if the proof of study is in a previous name 
8. *Proof of citizenship if citizenship is not evident from the passport 
9. *Birth certificate if the place of birth is not evident from the passport 
10. *further detailed documents about the foreign studies or relevant professional experience, e.g. study book, study guide, certificates of further education and training, internship certificates, references, ... 
11. *General qualification for university entrance / A-level examination certificate in connection with the foreign degree program (shortened study period due to crediting of previous study periods, ...) 
12. *Proof of sufficient language skills 

*…optional documents 

All documents must be submitted either in the original or as a certified copy; the degree or diploma certificate must always be in the original.  

All foreign documents must be duly legalized if this is required under international agreements (see document "Authorization of foreign documents in higher education"). Under certain circumstances, translations may also have to be legalized. 

Documents in German or English are accepted. German or English translations done by a sworn and court-certified translator must be submitted for documents in other languages. The translation must be firmly attached to the original document or the certified copy. Any legalization endorsements (Apostille, diplomatic legalization) must also be translated. 

For the upload of the documents, the documents must be scanned as they are in their actual physical form. This is the only way to ensure a firm link between the translation and the original document as well as the connection with the legalization. The upload may only be made in the form of a PDF. Proper preparation of the documents accelerates the processing of the application. 

If it is not possible for the applicant to submit the documents in person, the original documents can be submitted by an authorized person. This requires the presentation of a corresponding power of attorney. A template for issuing a power of attorney can be found in the downloads area on our website. In the case of representation, a certified copy of the applicant's passport must also be submitted. 

NOTES: Sufficient knowledge of German is necessary for the completion of any compensatory measures at the FH Campus Wien. Proof of proficiency in the German language must be submitted before admission as a non-degree student (certificates of the following language institutes shall be accepted: ÖSD, ÖIF, Telc, Goethe, VWU,…). Thus, the completion of the compensatory measures can only be started once proof of sufficient German language skills has been provided. 

Required level of German according to the Common European Framework of Reference for  Languages: 

• B2 level: Bachelor's degree programs "Health Care and Nursing "², "Social Work“, „Radiological Technology", "Dietetics" and "Orthoptics" 
• C1 level: Bachelor's degree programs "Physiotherapy", "Biomedical Science" and "Midwifery" and degree programs in the "Building and Design" department 
• C2 level: Bachelor's degree programs "Logopedics - Phoniatrics - Audiology" and "Occupational Therapy" 

² Special regulation for recognition procedures in "Health Care and Nursing" from the winter semester 2023/2024: 

As a contribution to combating the nursing shortage in Austria, the submission of a German language certificate at B1 level together with proof of active attendance of a German language course at B2 level for recognition applicants in the field of health care and nursing is sufficient for them to start completing the compensatory measures. This regulation applies from the winter semester 2023/2024 and initially until the end of the summer semester 2025. 

Information on the legalization of foreign documents can be found here in the PDF.

The Academic Director decides whether the foreign degree program aligns with the Austrian degree program specified in the application. This involves assessing its structure, including requirements, overall scope, and study content, to determine if it can be considered equivalent. 

The procedure at FH Campus Wien involves the following steps: 

³Re. Assessment interview:
If necessary, a competence assessment is conducted as part of the evidence-gathering process. This assessment serves as an addition to the submitted documents. Furthermore, the applicant`s profession-specific knowledge will be reviewed. This is not a traditional examination that is graded, which is why FH Campus Wien cannot provide any preparation material. There is no option for retakes or reviews. The applicant will be informed in good time whether an assessment interview is required. The administration office of the respective degree program will also provide further information and arrange an appointment with the applicant (online or on site). 

If equivalence is generally given and only individual compensatory measures are required in order to establish full equivalence, the applicant has the right to complete the prescribed courses and examinations as an non-degree student. According to the curriculum, the courses and examinations are offered either in German or in English. Knowledge of the English language is therefore a prerequisite.  

If recognition is not possible, the applicant may apply for a regular bachelor’s degree program at FH Campus Wien. After successful admission, the applicant may submit an application for credit transfer of individual courses to the head of the degree program. 

As part of the admission as a non- degree student, the applicant concludes an education and training contract with FH Campus Wien. Applicants will receive further information on this as soon as they receive the decision. 

As soon as the nostrification applicants have successfully completed the compensatory measures, they will receive a confirmation of completion from the Academic Director of FH Campus Wien. This confirmation, together with the decision, serves as proof of successful recognition of the foreign degree. Before the respective profession may be practiced, registration may be necessary (e.g. health professions register).