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Austria

The body responsible for the general questions on the recognition and for the assessment of foreign qualifications in Austria is ENIC-NARIC AUSTRIA – Recognition Information Centre. ENIC-NARIC AUSTRIA is part of the Federal Ministry of Science and Research.

ENIC NARIC AUSTRIA
Federal Ministry for Science and Research
Teinfaltstrasse 8, A-1014 Wien
Österreich

Phone: +43 1 531 20 5921
Fax: +43 1 531 20 7890
naric@bmwf.gv.at

http://www.bmwf.gv.at/naric/

Austria has signed and ratified the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

Generally, academic recognition is done by the competent bodies of the institutions of higher education, whereas professional recognition is carried out by the profession-relevant authorities (e.g. Federal Ministries, Federal Provinces, Chambers, etc.).

Types of recognition

ENIC-NARIC AUSTRIA is responsible for the recognition of the following qualifications and types of recognition:

School-leaving certificates

  • advice on academic recognition giving access to higher education programmes 
  • advice on recognition giving access to the labour market 
  • advice on professional recognition in line with EU directives

Vocational Education and Training Qualifications

  • advice on academic recognition giving access to higher education programmes 
  • advice on recognition giving access to the labour market 
  • advice on professional recognition in line with EU directives

Short cycle education (e.g. Associate degree)

  • advice on academic recognition giving access to higher education programmes 
  • academic recognition for the use of an academic title 
  • advice on recognition giving access to the labour market 
  • advice on professional recognition in line with EU directives 
  • informative assessment of study programmes as a whole

First cycle education (e.g. Bachelor)

  • advice on academic recognition giving access to further higher education programmes 
  • academic recognition for the use of an academic title 
  • advice on recognition giving access to the labour market 
  • advice on professional recognition in line with EU directives 
  • informative assessment of study programmes as a whole

Second cycle education (e.g. Master)

  • advice on and, in case of bilateral agreements, legally binding academic recognition giving access to further higher education programmes 
  • academic recognition for the use of an academic title 
  • advice on recognition giving access to the labour market 
  • advice on professional recognition in line with EU directives 
  • informative assessment of study programmes as a whole

Third cycle education (e.g. Doctor)

  • advice on academic recognition giving access to further higher education programmes 
  • academic recognition for the use of an academic title 
  • advice on access to the labour market 
  • advice on professional recognition in line with EU directives 
  • informative assessment of study programmes as a whole

The recognition procedure(s)

Details on the recognition procedures depend on the kind of recognition. Generally speaking, academic recognition is done by the institutions of higher education, while professional recognition is done by the profession-relevant bodies (ministries, chambers, etc.). Sometimes fees are charged for the recognition procedure. The time normally required to process recognition applications is between two and six months.

Step 1: Application

  • All holders of foreign qualifications have access to an assessment of their qualifications
  • Informal advice is available about the possibilities and procedures taking into account the competence of the recognition authority
  • There is a check whether there are any bilateral/international agreements applicable

Step 2: Verification

  • A checklist is used regarding required documents
  • The authenticity of the documents is verified
  • Previous cases (i.e. precedents) are referred to in light of the current recognition decisions
  • The status, type and accreditation of the awarding higher education institution and the programme leading to the qualification is verified
  • The recognition networks/bodies (e.g. ENIC/NARICs) are consulted

Step 3: Assessment

  • All predefined criteria are are assessed to detect differences
  • Detected differences are checked to see whether they are considered substantial (taking into account the purpose for which recognition is sought)
  • On this basis, an informative assessment is done which can be used as a basis for later academic or professional recognition, or for a working contract under private law.

Step 4: Decision-making

Additional elements

  • There is a comparative overview of other education systems or qualifications in relation to that of Austria
  • There are special measures for refugees who cannot document the qualification(s) they claim
  • There are special measures for the recognition of older (“outdated”) qualifications

Open qualifications area with

At the moment there is no open qualifications area with another country. There exists, however, a strong cooperation and exchange of experience and commonly used sources in the field of recognition matters, especially within the German speaking countries.

Links
Website of ENIC-NARIC AUSTRIA

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