How to get into university without A-Levels in Austria

Written by: Helene Ausserwöger, 14.05.2026

Are you dreaming of a career leap or a complete professional change, but don’t have your A-Levels? In Austria, studying without the Matura – the Austrian equivalent of A-Levels in the UK, or a high school diploma in the US – is no longer a problem. Whether through relevant professional experience or targeted qualification exams, the doors to higher education are also open to you without a traditional school-leaving certificate. In this article, we’ll show you how you can skip the detour of evening school and instead start your degree programme directly.

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Anyone who wants to study in Austria without traditional A-Levels is not hiding in a loophole or a legal grey area. In fact, access to higher education for professionally qualified applicants is an official and important part of the Austrian education system.

The most important legal foundations for this are the Austrian University Act (Universitätsgesetz, UG) and the Universities of Applied Sciences Studies Act (Fachhochschul-Studiengesetz, FHStG). These regulations define the different ways you can qualify for university admission without taking the traditional school route. Depending on the degree programme, this can include entrance examinations, subject-specific qualification tests, or relevant professional experience.

So if you meet the necessary requirements, you can officially apply to a university or university of applied sciences and work towards your bachelor’s or master’s degree even without A-Levels. What matters is not only your school background, but also the skills, experience, and qualifications you’ve gained elsewhere.

Studying Without A-Levels – Who Is It For?

Access to higher education is open to anyone with motivation, determination, and practical experience, regardless of what their educational path has looked like so far.

This route is especially relevant for:

  • Apprenticeship graduates: If you want to deepen your expertise after completing an apprenticeship and qualify for leadership or management roles.
  • Experienced professionals with career ambitions: In many industries, a bachelor’s or master’s degree is the key to the next career step or a higher salary bracket.
  • Career changers: If you’re already working in a new field and now want to back up your experience with an official academic qualification.
  • People looking for a fresh start: If you’re planning a complete career change, studying without A-Levels can be one of the fastest ways into a new professional field.

An overview of the main entry routes

Depending on how much time you want to invest and whether you already know exactly what you want to study, there are several different ways into higher education without A-Levels in Austria.

Vocational Maturity Exam (Berufsreifeprüfung)

The Berufsreifeprüfung (Vocational Maturity Exam) is the most extensive option. It consists of four exams: German, mathematics, a modern foreign language, and a subject related to your professional field.

  • How it works: You can prepare through courses offered by institutions such as WIFI or VHS. Three of the exams can already be completed before taking the final subject-specific exam.
  • Advantages: This route gives you full university entrance qualification, meaning you can study any subject at any university, university of applied sciences, or teacher training college in Austria — without restrictions.
  • Access granted: Unlimited access to all degree programmes.
  • Requirements: A completed vocational qualification, such as an apprenticeship or a three-year vocational school. Additional requirements may apply depending on the institution.

University Entrance Qualification Examination (Studienberechtigungsprüfung)

The Studienberechtigungsprüfung (University Entrance Qualification Examination) is the ideal shortcut if you already know exactly what subject you want to study. It usually consists of five individual exams tailored specifically to your chosen field of study.

  • How it works: You take exams directly related to a specific subject area. You can prepare independently or through preparatory courses.
  • Advantages: Compared to full A-Levels (like the “Matura” or a school-leaving qualification), this option is much faster because it focuses only on the subjects relevant to your future degree.
  • Eligibility: You are only allowed to study the chosen subject area (or closely related fields within the same group). Switching to a completely different field would usually require another entrance qualification exam.
  • Requirements: You must be at least 20 years old and hold citizenship from an EU or EEA country. You also need to prove that you have already gained relevant experience or qualifications after compulsory schooling, for example through vocational training, professional work experience, or other knowledge related to your desired degree programme.

University of Applied Sciences Qualification Exam

Many Austrian universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) offer direct access to applicants with relevant professional qualifications, such as completed apprenticeships or vocational school diplomas.

  • How it works: You typically complete exams in mathematics, German, and English. Depending on the degree programme, additional subject-specific modules might also be required.
  • Advantages: This is often the fastest route into a university of applied sciences without A-Levels because you are not required to have a broad general education background.
  • Eligibility: The qualification allows you to study selected degree programmes or related fields at Austrian universities of applied sciences. However, it does not count as a general university entrance qualification for all universities or subjects.

Externistenreifeprüfung (External A-Levels Exam)

This is the traditional route for people who want to get the equivalent of a full A-Level qualification (aka “Matura”) without attending a regular school.

  • How it works: You register as an external candidate at a public school and complete exams covering the entire upper secondary curriculum. Most students prepare through private schools or independent study.
  • Advantages: At the end, you receive a fully recognised school-leaving certificate equivalent to the traditional Austrian Matura, which can be especially valuable for certain employers or international applications.
  • Eligibility: Unlimited access to universities and higher education institutions in Austria and, in many cases, abroad.
  • Requirements: Completion of compulsory schooling.

The best tips for successful exam preparation can be found in our exam preparation guide!

Costs and funding for the Vocational Maturity Examination and similar qualifications

The financial requirements vary depending on which pathway you choose and how many preparatory courses you decide to take:

OptionApprox. CostSpecial Notes
Berufsreifeprüfung (Vocational Maturity Exam)approx. €3,000Free of charge through the “Apprenticeship with A-Levels” (Lehre mit Matura) model.
Studienberechtigungsprüfung (University Entrance Qualification Examination)approx. €250–€1,000Costs charged per subject or exam, depending on the course provider.
University of Applied Sciences Qualification ExamVaries depending on the FHOften modular structure: costs depend on the number of courses required.
Externistenreifeprüfung (External A-Levels Exam) from approx. €15Exam fee itself is very low; additional costs apply if you choose preparatory courses.

Funding and Financial Support

Studying without A-Levels is an investment in your future, but the good news is that you don’t have to cover all the costs on your own. In Austria, there are several funding options that can make this path affordable for almost everyone.

  • Student financial aid (Studienbeihilfe): You may already be eligible for student financial aid during the preparation phase for qualification exams, usually for one semester (with two exam subjects) or up to two semesters (with three or more exam subjects), provided you meet the social eligibility requirements.
  • Regional education funding: Some Austrian federal states offer additional support programs. In Upper Austria, for example, the OÖ Bildungskonto (the Upper Austrian education account) often covers part of the costs for professional training and preparatory courses.
  • Tax deductions: Most expenses for preparatory courses and exams can be claimed as work-related expenses in your annual tax return. This means the tax office effectively reimburses part of your education costs.
  • Self-supporting student grant: Once you are officially admitted to university, you can apply for standard Austrian student funding programs. The “Selbsterhalterstipendium”, a grant for self-supporting students, is particularly attractive for professionals who have worked for at least four years before starting their studies.

You can find more information about funding in our guide to financing your studies!

Degree programmes in Austria for which you do not need A-Levels or an equivalent qualification

There are actually ways to start a degree programme without A-Levels and without completing one of the traditional qualification exams beforehand. Some universities and higher education institutions allow students to enrol directly after passing an entrance examination.

These include, for example:

  • University of Arts and Industrial Design Linz: Here, your talent matters most. After successfully passing the artistic entrance examination, you can begin your studies even without A-Levels.
  • Anton Bruckner Private University: This university also offers artistic entrance exams in music and dance. If you pass, you can start your degree programme directly.
  • Hamburg Distance University of Applied Sciences (in cooperation with BFI Upper Austria): Together with BFI Upper Austria, the university offers special pathways for working professionals, where relevant professional experience can already qualify you for admission.
  • FernUniversität in Hagen (in cooperation with the Centre for Distance Learning): Through the Centre for Distance Learning in Austria, professionally qualified applicants can gain direct admission if they have relevant work experience or a master craftsperson’s qualification.

How to get into university without A-Levels: a summary

The days when A-Levels were the only ticket into a university lecture hall are long gone. As you’ve seen, the Austrian education system now offers the right pathway for almost every situation, whether you choose the Berufsreifeprüfung as the most flexible option, use the Studienberechtigungsprüfung as a faster shortcut, or gain direct admission to an arts university through your talent alone.

If you’re ready to take the next step, it’s always worth checking directly with your chosen university or university of applied sciences to learn more about the exact admission requirements. Looking into funding opportunities or preparatory courses can also make the process easier and help you feel more confident in your decision.

And if you’re still unsure or have questions: keep researching, seek advice, and most importantly, don’t be afraid to take that first step.

FAQs: Frequently asked questions about studying without A-Levels

Yes, in Austria you can study without A-Levels through pathways such as the Berufsreifeprüfung, the Studienberechtigungsprüfung, or special admission procedures offered by universities of applied sciences.

The Berufsreifeprüfung is equivalent to the Austrian A-Levels. Both provide full access to universities and higher education institutions in Austria.

The costs of a Studienberechtigungsprüfung vary depending on the courses you take. In most cases, they range from around €250 to €1,000.

The Berufsreifeprüfung is considered equivalent to traditional A-Levels. Both give you access to all fields of study. The main difference is that the Berufsreifeprüfung is specifically designed for people with vocational qualifications and is often more flexible to complete.

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