STUDY

Nostrification (recognition of a foreign degree)

Nostrification (Nostrifizierung) is the recognition of a foreign degree as fully equivalent to a corresponding Austrian degree. This means the complete equivalence of the two degrees. Nostrification allows an individual to practice a certain regulated profession which requires an academic degree obtained in Austria. Nostrification also grants the right to use the corresponding domestic academic title.

Contact

Office of Academic Affairs
Location: Find us here
E-Mail: stud_re [at] aau [dot] at

Downloads

Application for nostrification

FAQs

Under which circumstances is a nostrification necessary/possible?

A nostrification is only permissible if the applicant can demonstrate that nostrification is necessary for the applicant’s professional practice or for the continuation of their education (e.g., physician, nurse, kindergarten teacher, teacher, psychologist). The proof of a specific job or a prospective job offer is irrelevant for nostrification and is not considered during the application review.

Within the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland access to a number of academic professions is regulated by specific directives that allows nationals of these countries to practice these professions. In such cases, nostrification is neither necessary nor possible.

Nostrification is therefore not possible:

solely for the purpose of using the corresponding Austrian academic degree
for admission to an Austrian Diploma/Master’s programme or a doctoral or PhD programme

Where do I find the legal regulations relevant to nostrification?

Section 90 of the Universities Act 2002 (Universitätsgesetz 2002) https://www.ris.bka.gv.at
University Statute, Part B, Section 20 (3) (Satzung der Universität Klagenfurt)
Regulation issued by the Rector of Studies pursuant to the University Statute, Part B, Section 20 (3)

At which university do I apply for nostrification?

Nostrification can be applied for at any university where a comparable Austrian study programme is offered. Therefore, in many cases it is up to the applicant to choose which university to submit the application to. The full range of degree progammes offered at the University of Klagenfurt can be found on the website. According to the Universities Act, Section 90 (2) the same application for nostrification must neither be submitted to more than one university at the same time nor resubmitted to another university or institution of higher education after its withdrawal.

Who decides on the application for nostrification?

In accordance with Section 19 (2) (2) of the Universities Act, the decision on nostrification in the first instance is made by the body responsible for the implementation of study regulations. At the University of Klagenfurt, this is the Rector of Studies.

Which documents must be submitted?

The application for nostrification shall include the following:

Application form
Passport (including a copy)
Proof that pursuant to Section 90 (1) of the Universities Act 2002 nostrification of the foreign university degree is indispensable for the practice of the profession (e.g. for psychologists) or the continuation of the education in Austria;
Birth certificate and any documents concerning changes of name (e.g. marriage certificate) if the academic records were issued under a previous name;
Proof of the status/quality of the recognized foreign post-secondary educational institution if the Rector of Studies has reasons to doubt it;
Proof of the completed studies at the recognized foreign post-secondary educational institution, examinations taken and approved academic papers if the course achievements obtained are not already known to the Rector of Studies (study record, curriculum, student guide, examination certificates);
Document issued as evidence of the awarding of the foreign academic degree. If no such degree was awarded, a document issued as proof of the completion of the foreign study programme (original);
Document issued as evidence of the award of the foreign academic degree. If such was not to be awarded, a document issued as proof of the due conclusion of the foreign course of study (original);
Proof of payment of the nostrification fee. The amount of € 150 has to be paid advance.

All documents must be submitted in the original or as certified copies. Documents in a foreign language must be provided with a certified German translation. Documents proving the awarding of the academic degree or the completion of study programmes must be submitted in the original.

The obligation to submit certain documents may be waived if it is credibly demonstrated that providing them within a reasonable period is impossible or associated with excessive difficulties (particular consideration is given to the problems faced by political refugees) and if the documents submitted are sufficient to make a decision.

Contact, information and support

For general questions, advice, and information regarding the nostrification process, please contact the Office of the Rector of Studies. Please send an email to stud_re [at] aau [dot] at before submitting an application for nostrification. Please note that information about the chances of success of an application cannot be provided in advance.

Is a preliminary assessment of my application possible?

No. As part of the nostrification process, an extensive and complex assessment procedure must be carried out. Therefore, it is neither possible to provide information about the chances of success in advance nor to make a binding statement in relation to it.

What are the individual steps in the validation procedure?

The assessment procedure is conducted by the Rector of Studies. It will be considered, taking into account the curriculum or study plan that was in effect on the date of application for nostrification at the University of Klagenfurt, whether the studies completed abroad are, in terms of the overall learning outcome, equivalent to a degree programme offered at the University of Klagenfurt. The key criteria for this assessment are the content, scope and requirements of the corresponding Austrian study programme for which the recognition of equivalence is sought. In this process, a random assessment of the applicant’s knowledge in specific subjects or modules is also permissible. If the equivalence is almost proven, but certain requirements have to be fulfilled in order to achieve the full equivalence, the applicant will be required to pass exams and/or write an academic paper as outlined in an official notice (Bescheid) which will be issued by the Rector of Studies. The official notice will set a deadline for fulfilling these additional requirements. During this period, the applicant will be admitted to the University of Klagenfurt as a non-degree seeking student (außerordentliche:r Studierende:r).

The Rector of Studies makes a decision in the nostrification process by issuing an official notice (Bescheid).

The official notice states which Austrian degree the foreign degree corresponds to and which Austrian academic title the applicant is entitled to use instead of the foreign academic title as a result of the nostrification.

The issuance of the official notice will be recorded on the original document that was initially submitted as a proof of the completed foreign degree programme.

What to do if additional requirements have to be fulfilled?

Individuals with a valid nostrification notice with conditions attached to it (Bescheid mit Auflagen), i.e. who have to take supplementary examinations and/or have to write an academic paper, need to apply for admission as non-degree seeking students (außerordentliche:r Studierende:r) to be able to fulfil these conditions. This initial registration (Erstanmeldung) must be completed online if they have never studied at the University of Klagenfurt before or if they have previously completed the initial online registration.

Since the applicants have to register for a non-degree programme, admission is possible by submitting the nostrification notice (Bescheid), the passport (or ID card or official photo ID with proof of citizenship) to the Admission Office before the end of the respective late registration period, i.e. by April 30th for the summer semester and by November 30th for the winter semester. Additionally, a tuition fee must be paid.

Detailed information

How long will the nostrification process take?

An application for nostrification will be processed within three months. Any request to provide additional documents or information will interrupt the process and therefore also postpone the three-months deadline for the completion of the nostrification process.

How much does nostrification process cost?

The nostrification fee is currently € 150 which must be paid in advance. The fee is non-refundable even if your application is rejected or withdrawn.

Account details
Raiffeisenlandesbank Kärnten
IBAN AT65 3900 0000 0251 5013
BIC RZKTAT2K
Payment reference: Nostrifizierung

In case supplementary examinations have to be taken and/or an academic paper has to be written as a condition attached to the nostrification notice (Bescheid mit Auflagen), tuition fees have to be paid until these requirements have been fully met.

Links

ENIC NARIC AUSTRIA

Anabin Database

ZEBRA Anerkennung von im Ausland erworbenen Qualifikationen