Nostrification

If you want to work in Austria in a profession that requires special education, you must be able to prove that the training you acquired abroad complies with Austrian legal requirements. This is precisely what is verified during the nostrification process.

Within the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland, access to a number of academic professions is regulated by specific guidelines that allow citizens of these countries direct access to the profession. In these cases, nostrification is neither necessary nor possible.

For non-regulated professions: it depends on the employer whether your degree is suitable for the intended job. To be on the safe side, you can have your foreign higher education qualifications assessed for professional purposes by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research: https://www.aais.at/

For regulated professions: there are legal requirements that must be met. Proof of successful nostrification must be provided to the employer.

You don't need a nostrification for admission to a degree program at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria. You can simply apply for your desired program! When processing your application, the university's Admissions Office will review whether your foreign degree qualifies for admission.

The nostrification of a foreign degree can only be applied for at a university, teacher training college, or university of applied sciences that offers a similar degree program. This means, for example, that a degree in human medicine from abroad can only be nostrified at an Austrian university that also offers a degree program in human medicine. 
If there are several universities of applied sciences or universities that offer the same degree program, you can choose where you want your degree to be nostrified.

Please note: You can only apply for nostrification once and only at one university. If your application is rejected at the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences, you cannot submit another application to another university.

To apply for nostrification at the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences, please use this form

The fee for the nostrification of a foreign degree is  EUR 150. This fee must be paid in advance. It will be forfeited if the application for nostrification is rejected or withdrawn.

Please note that additional costs may arise, such as for the legalization of your documents or translations.

A special nostrification commission will be established. This commission will include members of the academic board, the head of the comparable study degree program, and at least one expert from the department.
These individuals will examine your course content in detail and prepare a report.

The nostrification committee first submits its report on your application to the head of the academic board. The committee's report of your application is then presented to the entire academic board and discussed. The final decisions on whether to accept or reject your application is made by the entire academic board.

The result will be communicated to you in writing (a notification of nostrification = Nostrifizierungsbescheid).

If the procedure is successful: No significant differences were found in your education compared to a comparable domestic degree program. The quality and duration are sufficient to meet the legal requirements for practicing the profession. You may also use the Austrian academic title for the corresponding degree program. With this notification, you can apply for the desired regulated profession.

If the procedure is unsuccessful: Your training does not meet the legal requirements. You cannot pursue the desired profession in Austria. You must complete the required training in Austria.

Shortly after you submit your application, it will be reviewed to determine whether it is complete. If any documents are missing, you can submit them later.
Once your application is complete, the nostrification committee will be formed at a subsequent board meeting. The assessment by the members can be time-consuming, but should be completed within four weeks. The board will then make a decision.
Please note: Your application will be processed as quickly as possible. However, since the board has set working hours and the teaching commitments of the committee members, as well as vacation and holiday periods, must be taken into account, the process may take longer.

Secondary school-leaving certificate
AND
Graduation certificate of university study program
AND
Transcript of Records incl detailed information on assigned credits, grades, dates and name of the courses 
AND
Additional study documents as study plan, syllabus, detailled description of lectures 
AND
Copy of the thesis and summary in German
AND
Diploma Supplement (if available)

Signed curriculum vitae CV with special consideration of previous education
AND
Birth certificate and proof of name changes (marriage certificate i.e) if your study documents do not bear your current name 
AND
Passport and/or proof of citizenship

Proof that nostrification is mandatory for practicing a profession or continuing education in Austria
AND
Proof of payment of the processing fee

Documents issued outside the EU/EEA must first be legalized for use in Austria.
You can find out which country-specific legalizations are required here: Legalization

Documents issued in a language other than German or English must be translated into German or English by a sworn interpreter. The translations must be clearly and visibly linked to the original.