Studying without a Matura
Your path to university: Start at the FHV with additional exams
There are many ways to study at the FHV – even without a traditional Matura. If you already have vocational qualifications or a technical college diploma, you can gain entry to your chosen degree programme by sitting supplementary exams. Here you can find out what options are available to you and how to take the next step.
Entry requirements for starting your degree
To be admitted to the degree programme via additional examinations, you must hold at least one of the following qualifications:
If you hold a qualification from a vocational secondary school (minimum 3 years) or have completed a relevant apprenticeship (minimum 3 years), you can check whether your background meets the vocational training requirements for the degree programme you wish to study. If this is the case, you can sit the supplementary examinations for a degree programme and apply for a place at the FHV.
How it works:
After successfully completing and submitting your application for the examination of subject relevance
- you will find out from the degree programme which additional examinations are required,
- you should apply for your desired degree programme in a timely manner,
- you choose your type of Prüfunsgsvorbereitung,
- will be per exam subject annually a fee of EUR 100,- due,
- you take your examination and complete the admission procedure.
The subjects in which you have to take the additional exams depend on the degree programme you have chosen and your previous education:
| Prüfungsfächer | German | English B2 | Mathematics 1 | Mathematics 3 | Physics |
| InterMedia (BA) | X | X | X | ||
| Social Work (BA) | X | X | X | ||
| Health Care & Nursing (BSc) | X | X | X | ||
| International Business Administration (BA) | X | X | X | ||
| Data Science (BSc) | X | X | X | ||
| Industrial Engineering & Management (BSc) | X | X | X | X | |
| Mechatronics (BSc) | X | X | X | X |
Since these qualifications are treated as vocational school-leaving certificates in Austria, additional examinations are also required here. The subjects in which you have to take the additional examination depend on the degree programme you have chosen and your previous education. The additional examination in English can be recognised if a B2 certificate is provided.
How it works:
After you have applied for your desired study programme...
- You find out which additional exams are due,
- you choose your type of exam preparation,
- will be per exam subject annually a fee of EUR 100, due,
- you take your examination and complete the admission procedure.
The subjects in which you have to take the additional examination depend on the degree programme you have chosen and your previous education:
| Prüfungsfächer | English B2 | Mathematics 1 | Mathematics 3 | Physics |
| InterMedia (BA) | X | X | ||
| Social Work (BA) | X | X | ||
| Health Care & Nursing (BSc) | X | X | ||
| International Business Administration (BA) | X | X | ||
| Data Science (BSc) | X | X | ||
| Industrial Engineering & Management (BSc) | X | X | X | |
| Mechatronics (BSc) | X | X | X |
When can the exams be taken at the FHV?
The FHV is offering three exam sessions in 2026:
| January | |
| English B2 | 29. Jan, 02:30 PM–05:30 PM |
| Mathematics 3 | 30. Jan, 09:00 AM–12:00 PM |
| German | 05. Feb, 02:30 PM–05:30 PM |
| Physics | 06. Feb, 09:00 AM–12:00 PM |
| Mathematics 1 |
06. Feb, 09:00 AM–12:00 PM |
| May | |
| English B2 | 21. May, 02:30 PM–05:30 PM |
| Mathematics 3 | 22. May, 09:00 AM–12:00 PM |
| German | 28. May, 02:30 PM–05:30 PM |
| Physics | 29. May, 09:00 AM–12:00 PM |
| Mathematics 1 |
29. May, 09:00 AM–12:00 PM |
| July | |
| English B2 | 09. Jul, 02:30 PM–05:30 PM |
| Mathematics 3 | 10. Jul, 09:00 AM–12:00 PM |
| German | 16. Jul, 02:30 PM–05:30 PM |
| Physics | 17. Jul, 09:00 AM–12:00 PM |
| Mathematics 1 |
17. Jul, 09:00 AM–12:00 PM |
How can you prepare for the exams?
Self-study
Are you disciplined and keen to go it alone? You’ll find all the information on study materials and practice examples under ‘Exam Content’. This allows you to organise your preparation flexibly and learn at your own pace – ideal if you already have some prior knowledge or want to remain independent in terms of your schedule.
Pre-entry Qualification Course
Do you want to prepare intensively and in a targeted manner? The pre-entry qualification course at the Schloss Hofen Centre for Continuing Education lasts four months. Together with lecturers from the FHV, you’ll prepare specifically for the modules you’ve booked. You can find more information directly from Schloss Hofen.
Centre for Distance Learning
Would you like to allow yourself more time for preparation? Then the Zentrum für Fernstudien in Bregenz is a good choice. The preparatory courses usually start in the autumn and last just under a year. You’ll be guided through the material in a structured way and can continue working at the same time. You’ll sit the supplementary exams at the Centre for Distance Learning.
Exam content
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Test duration |
3 hours |
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Exam content |
In essence, this involves
You can find more detailed information here (e.g., writing a discussion, writing a letter to the editor, etc.) |
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Learning materials |
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Structure and procedure |
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Allowed tools |
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Assessment |
Each additional examination is to be assessed by the examiner as "passed" or "failed" The comprehensive assessment is divided into three areas:
From 50 points achieved, the additional examination is considered "passed"
Results will be communicated promptly by e-mail after the respective examination dates. |
| Inspection |
The candidate is entitled to make photocopies of these documents. Except for questions whose exploitation rights are outside the FHV. |
| Sample tasks |
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Test duration |
3.5 hours |
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Exam content |
Part 1: Online test (grammar/vocabulary and listening comprehension, multiple choice test) and Part 2: written assignment (focus on language production - summary of a text and an essay). You can find more information here or here(e.g., English Writing or English Reading) |
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Learning materials |
Zach, Franz / Häusler, Sonja / Pürer, Katrin: Durchstarten Cullen, Pauline: Vocabulary for IELTS 6.5+. 2021. ISBN 978-3-12-535482-1
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Structure and procedure |
Part 1: at the PC: about 1 hour: Language in Use and Listening English proficiency will be assessed using Oxford English Placement Test. (The test is a multiple choice test. Listening comprehension and grammar/vocabulary are tested.) If the assessment of part 1 is positive (at least 60 points) admission to part 2. Part 2: at the PC: about 2 hour: and text production (1 hour) - scope ca- 450-500 words
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Allowed tools |
Writing utensils Only for Part 2 may a dictionary be used |
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Assessment |
Each additional examination is to be assessed by the examiner as "passed" or "failed" Part 1:A minimum of 60 points must be achieved on the online test (below 60 points no admission to Part 2)Part 2:At least 50 points must be achieved. The assessment at Part 2 is divided into three areas:
The results will be communicated promptly after the respective examination dates by e-mail. |
| Inspection |
The candidate is entitled to make photocopies of these documents. Except for questions whose exploitation rights are outside the FHV. |
| Further information | |
| Sample tasks |
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Test duration |
3 hours |
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Content of the exam |
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Learning materials |
Bridge course in mathematics - for first-year students in all |
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Structure and procedure |
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Allowed tools |
Writing utensils Your own formulary of choice
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Assessment |
Each additional examination is to be assessed by the examiner as "passed" or "failed" The total assessment is up to 100 points. From 50% of the maximum achievable number of points, the additional examination is considered "passed". Results will be communicated by email promptly after the respective examination dates. |
| Inspection |
Upon request: information on strengths and weaknesses encountered in |
| Sample tasks |
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Test duration |
3 hours |
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Contents of the exam |
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Learning materials |
Recommended book: mathematics at the beginning of studies, A. Kemnitz, Documents for the standardized written maturity exam Exercise examples from "Mathematics" and |
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Structure and procedure |
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Allowed tools |
Writing utensils Your own formulary of choice
Calculator: any model allowed, the calculation path must be presented comprehensibly. |
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Assessment |
Each additional examination shall be marked by the examiner with |
| Inspection |
Except for questions whose exploitation rights are outside the FHV. |
| Sample tasks |
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Test duration |
3 hours |
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Learning materials |
Physics for engineering studies: Precise with many learning control questions and sample exercises., J. Eichler / A. Modler, 6th edition, Springer Vieweg, 2018. Physics - An Introduction for Engineers and Scientists: U. Harten, Springer, 2014. The Engineering Knowledge Physics: H. Niedrig and M. Sternberg, Springer Vieweg, 2014. Physics Task Collection for Engineers and Scientists: P. Kurzweil, B. Frenzel, J. Eichler and B. Schiewe, Vieweg+Teubner, 2007. Physics Formulary for Engineers and Scientistsschaftler: P. Kurzweil, B. Frenzel and F. Gebhard, 1st edition, Friedr. Vieweg \& Sohn Verlag, 2008. Physics: for Students of Science and Engineering and Technology: Tipler, Paul A.; Mosca, Gene (2019), 8th ed. Springer Spectrum. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-58281-7.
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Structure and procedure |
Handwritten examination |
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Allowable aids |
Writing utensils
Triangle Formula collection
Pocket calculator: any model allowed, the calculation path must be presented comprehensibly. |
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Assessment |
Each additional examination shall be marked by the examiner with |
| Inspection |
Except for questions whose exploitation rights are outside the FHV. |
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Sample tasks |
Exam organisation
- Examination fee: € 100,- per examination subject and year.
- Registration: With the payment of the exam fee you are automatically registered for the next possible exam date.
- De-registration: If you want to deregister, then you must do it within the deregistration period.
- Exam type: Exams are either taken on a computer or by hand. The format chosen depends on the subject.
- Taking the exam: A total of three exams are possible. We offer three dates per subject per year, usually in January, May and July.
- Assessment: We assess additional exams with "Pass" or "Fail". Supplementary examinations that have already been passed remain valid.
- A pass is required: all necessary supplementary examinations must be passed in order to commence a degree programme at the FHV.
- Admissions process for each degree programme: In order to be able to start your chosen degree programme at the FHV, you must also successfully complete the relevant programme-specific admissions process.
Contact
You want a personal consultation? We are happy to answer your questions!
| Tuesday | 8:30 - 11:30 am |
| Thursday | 8.30 - 11.30 am |
or individual appointment
Frequently asked questions / FAQs
We definitely need an application for the degree programme, because supplementary examinations can only be taken by those who have a valid application status. If this is fulfilled, then it is also possible to take the ZPR. The additional exams do not lose their validity and can be credited at a later date. However, an application must be submitted again for the desired degree programme.
Yes! Without payment of the examination fees, participation in the additional examinations is not possible.
All applicants who do not have the admission requirements at the time of acceptance are obliged, according to the training contract, to present to the administration by September 1 of the intended academic year, how the admission requirements will be met by October 31 at the latest (including examination date and institution). Otherwise, the study programme cannot be started.
The university entrance qualification examination (Studienberechtigungsprüfung) entitles students to study a specific group of studies - for example, the Studienberechtigungsprüfung can be taken for studies in social sciences and economics.
The additional examinations entitle "only" to study a specific degree programme at the FHV.
Example: You would like to study Social Work. With a passed qualifying examination, you can apply to several UAS that accept this access and offer the Social Work degree program. By passing additional exams at the FHV, you can only apply to the FHV to study Social Work. In addition, you must take examinations in five subjects as part of the university entrance examination.
There is the possibility to apply for study grants also for the preparation time of the additional exams. In this case, please contact the scholarship office Innsbruck. Subsequently, it is also possible to apply for study grants during your studies. There is also an overview of possible support offers on our website. In addition, additional examination candidates, insofar as they come from Vorarlberg, can also apply for the Vorarlberg education grant.
It is important that you discuss your alternative solution with the degree programme in advance and have the credit approved by the programme director.
In the case of the additional German examination, it is important to note that this is not a language level examination, but here the text production and text comprehension are in the foreground. Such examinations are not normally offered by traditional language institutes.
It may be that you have to take the additional exam in German as well as prove a German B2 level. That would be two different examinations.
You can find out which language certificates are recognised in German and English under specific admission requirements.
For examinations in math or physics it is even more difficult to find alternatives. Here actually only the Externistenprüfung offers itself.
You will receive a registration confirmation two weeks before the first examination in the examination cycle, in which the deregistration deadline will also be announced.
You will receive within about two weeks a feedback by e-mail, whether you have passed the examination or not. Likewise, there will be the possibility of an examination inspection, this will be communicated in a timely manner.
Yes, you will automatically be penciled in for the retake date. You will then again receive a registration confirmation two weeks before the first exam date, in which a withdrawal deadline will be communicated.