A university entrance examination can be taken in Austria to begin a degree programme without having completed the Matura (school-leaving certificate). The examination consists of five individual tests, which are completed for a specific subject area group. Once these tests have been successfully passed, individuals may apply for a degree programme within that group. Several conditions apply to taking the university entrance examination:
- A minimum age of 20 years
- Citizenship of an EU or EEA country, or proof of belonging to a group of persons defined in the Decree on Groups of Persons (Personengruppenverordnung), which provides for equal treatment with EU or EEA citizens. The aim of this regulation is to facilitate access to higher education for these individuals. Detailed information is available at RIS - Personengruppenverordnung 2018 - Bundesrecht konsolidiert, Fassung vom 23.06.2025
- Proof of successful professional or non-professional training beyond compulsory schooling relevant to the intended study programme