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University Enrollment
Eligibility Examination.

If you do not hold university entrance qualifications but would like to pursue a particular Bachelor’s or Diploma degree program at the JKU or at another university/university of applied sciences, you can earn university entrance qualifications now by passing the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination.

The advantages of the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination:

  • This is the ideal way to prepare for a specific academic degree program or area of study (= subject area group). If you already know exactly what you would like to study (your subject area or subject area group i.e. law, social studies, economics, engineering, computer sciences, or natural sciences) you can directly prepare for your studies by choosing the corresponding subjects in the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination, e.g., by taking physics for degree programs in engineering. 
  • Intensive individual preparation. The University Enrollment Eligibility Examination includes five subjects that individually prepare students for a specific group of subject areas.
  • Short period of study and government aid. The University Enrollment Eligibility Examination is a one-year program and students may be eligible for financial aid during this period (subject to the same conditions as for normal degree programs, e.g., grants for self-sufficient students).

 

The content at a glance:

Contact

Address

Johannes Kepler University Linz
Altenberger Straße 69
4040 Linz

Location

Bank Building, ground floor, opens a file

E-Mail

studienberechtigung(at)jku.at

Data Privacy Policy

Mandatory Information GDPR, opens a file (PDF)

Admissions Office
Campus Map - Bank Building

Please note

The University Enrollment Eligibility Examination is only suitable for people with German language skills at level B2. This is required for admission to this program.

The University Enrollment Eligibility Examination at the JKU

The JKU offers the University Enrollment Eligibility Examinations for degree programs in the following subject areas (= subject area groups):

The JKU does not offer University Enrollment Eligibility Examinations for degree programs in medicine, teacher education studies (general education), or cultural studies. You can, however, take the examinations for these subject areas at another university/university of education, such as at the PH OÖ, opens an external URL in a new window (the University of Education Upper Austria), the Medical University of Graz, opens an external URL in a new window or the University of Art & Design Linz, opens an external URL in a new window. You will then be eligible to enroll in an academic degree program at the JKU. 
The Center for Distance Learning Bregenz also offers a University Enrollment Eligibility Examination, either with classroom instruction or as a distance learning course.

Please note:

  • Each study area group requires different exams. Please make sure you select the correct area of studies when signing up.
     
  • The University Enrollment Eligibility Examination is not equivalent to the school leaving examination; it only permits you to study one specific subject area group. If you decide to take the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination, you should already know which degree program you wish to enroll in. You will not be able to change to another group of subject areas later on. To change subject area, you would have to retake the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination with the missing subjects. Subjects you have already passed do not have to be taken again. This includes the subject Written essay on a general topic in German, which is mandatory for all subject area groups.

Scope of the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination

The University Enrollment Eligibility Examination is comprised of five individual parts:

  • A written paper about a general theme written in German (mandatory for all subject groups)
    This paper will demonstrate your ability to express yourself on a given topic and use your language skills to express your thoughts clearly and coherently.
  • Three examinations that test your prior knowledge and skills in the subject area group you wish to qualify for (mandatory subjects).
  • An examination of your choice from the subject area you intend to study (elective subject):
    This elective subject is a course that will be part of your degree program, namely a course from the Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase, opens in new window requirements (or courses that can be completed in addition to the Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase), and one you will earn academic credit for once you enroll in the program.

The University Enrollment Eligibility Examinations are based on the curriculum for Austrian school year 12 or 13 (secondary-level education) and are outlined in the Rector's Ordinance, opens a file in a new window. Your elective subject should be aligned with your intended subject area group and must be selected upon admission to the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination.

See below for information about corresponding subject area groups and the subjects to be completed.

Law

  • Essay on a general topic in German (written)
    • Click here, opens a file for a summary of possible examination topics. You will have four hours to write the essay.
  • English (oral and written)
    • B2-level language skills, including listening comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing skills (according to the European Framework of Reference). The examination tests your confidence in oral and written expression using correct basic grammar; your ability to understand speech at a normal speed and to contribute to a conversation about a general subject and make yourself understood; your ability to translate simple texts into German; your ability to read short texts fluently and summarize these texts; and your ability to comment on general topics, primarily in a narrative and descriptive manner, in the form of an essay.
  • Mathematics 1 (oral and written)
    • Number sets, equations, systems of linear equations, vectors in R2, matrices and determinants, linear and quadratic functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, measures of change, trigonometry in right-angled triangles, basic concepts of differential and integral calculus, introduction to probability calculations and statistics.
  • History
    • The fundamentals of general history, important historical facts and developments in European history with a focus on Austria, including aspects of cultural, economic, and social history.

You can select your elective subject from one of the courses of the degree program you intend to enroll in or from additional examinations that are required for the degree program (e.g., Latin).

The course you attend must be worth a minimum of 2 ECTS credits.

It must either be a course included in the initial Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase (StEOP) or a continuing course which can be taken before concluding the Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase (StEOP).

Course requirements are available in the course description provided in KUSSS, opens an external URL in a new window.

Social Sciences, Economics & Business

  • Essay on a general topic in German (written)
    • Possible exam topics are summarized in more detail here, opens a file. You will have four hours to complete the essay.
  • English (oral and written)
    • B2-level language skills, including listening comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing skills (according to the European Framework of Reference). The examination tests your confidence in oral and written expression using correct basic grammar; your ability to understand speech at a normal speed and to contribute to a conversation about a general subject and make yourself understood; your ability to translate simple texts into German; your ability to read short texts fluently and summarize these texts; and your ability to comment on general topics, primarily in a narrative and descriptive manner, in the form of an essay.
  • Mathematics 1 (oral and written)
    • Number sets, equations, systems of linear equations, vectors in R2, matrices and determinants, linear and quadratic functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, measures of change, trigonometry in right-angled triangles, basic concepts of differential and integral calculus, introduction to probability calculations and statistics.
  • History (oral)
    • The fundamentals of general history, important historical facts and developments in European history with a focus on Austria, including aspects of cultural, economic, and social history.

You can select your elective subject from one of the courses of the degree program you intend to enroll in.

The course you attend must be worth a minimum of 2 ECTS credits.

It must either be a course included in the initial Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase (StEOP) or a continuing course which can be taken before concluding the Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase (StEOP).

Course requirements are available in the course description provided in KUSSS, opens an external URL in a new window

Engineering

  • Essay on a general topic in German (written)
    • Potential exam topics are summarized in more detail here, opens a file. You will have four hours to complete the essay.
  • Mathematics 2 (oral and written)
    • Mathematics 1 and more: complex numbers, vectors in R3, trigonometry in general triangles, trigonometric functions, root and absolute value functions, sequences and series, expansion of differential/integral calculus, probability calculations and statistics.
    • Material from Mathematics 1:
      Number sets, equations, systems of linear equations, vectors in R2, matrices and determinants, linear and quadratic functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, measures of change, trigonometry in right-angled triangles, basic concepts of differential and integral calculus, introduction to probability calculations and statistics.
  • English (oral and written)
    • B2-level language skills, including listening comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing skills (according to the European Framework of Reference). The examination tests your confidence in oral and written expression using correct basic grammar; your ability to understand speech at a normal speed and to contribute to a conversation about a general subject and make yourself understood; your ability to translate simple texts into German; your ability to read short texts fluently and summarize these texts; and your ability to comment on general topics, primarily in a narrative and descriptive manner, in the form of an essay.
  • Physics (oral and written)
    • Units: base units and derived units
    • Mechanics: motion, force, momentum; work, potential and kinetic energy, energy conservation; torque and angular momentum; spring, pendulum, oscillations.
    • Electricity: Electricity: electric charge, field and potential; current, resistance and capacity; magnetic fields, induction, alternating current.
    • Thermodynamics: temperature, heat, heat capacity; Ideal gas, equations of state, states of aggregation; the main laws of thermodynamics.
    • Oscillations: harmonic oscillation, linear force law, pendulum.
    • Optics: light, lenses and geometrical optics; electromagnetic waves, interference and diffraction.
    • Modern physics: atomic physics, the basic elements of quantum mechanics, the basic elements of the relativity theory.

You can select your elective subject from one of the courses of the degree program you intend to enroll in or from additional examinations that are required for the degree program (e.g., descriptive geometry).

The course you attend must be worth a minimum of 2 ECTS credits.

It must either be a course included in the initial Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase (StEOP) or a continuing course which can be taken before concluding the Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase (StEOP).

Course requirements are available in the course description provided in KUSSS, opens an external URL in a new window

Natural Sciences

  • Essay on a general topic in German (written)
    • The exam topics are summarized in more detail here, opens a file. You will have four hours to write the essay.
  • Mathematics 2 (oral and written)
    • Mathematics 1 and more: complex numbers, vectors in R3, trigonometry in general triangles, trigonometric functions, root and absolute value functions, sequences and series, expansion of differential/integral calculus, probability calculations and statistics.
    • Material from Mathematics 1: number sets, equations, systems of linear equations, vectors in R2, matrices and determinants, linear and quadratic functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, measures of change, trigonometry in right-angled triangles, basic concepts of differential and integral calculus, introduction to probability calculations and statistics.
  • English (oral and written)
    • B2-level language skills, including listening comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing skills (according to the European Framework of Reference). The examination tests your confidence in oral and written expression using correct basic grammar; your ability to understand speech at a normal speed and to contribute to a conversation about a general subject and make yourself understood; your ability to translate simple texts into German; your ability to read short texts fluently and summarize these texts; and your ability to comment on general topics, primarily in a narrative and descriptive manner, in the form of an essay.
  • Chemistry (oral and written)
    • General chemistry: building blocks of matter (the structure of atoms and molecules, types of chemical bonding, radioactivity); the significance of the periodic table; the three classical states of matter; Avogadro's theorem; molar volume; Avogadro (Loschmidt) constant; general gas equation; chemical reactions (equations, stoichiometry, law of mass action, the principle of Le Chatelier-Braun); reaction rate and catalysis; solutions; dissociation and association; acids, bases and salts; pH value; hydrolysis; electrolysis, energy conversion in chemical reactions. Dimensional analysis, ion reactions, corrosion.
    • Inorganic chemistry: hydrogen; oxygen; halogens; other important non-metallic elements and metals; the compounds of these elements, inert gases, sulphur, phosphor, silicon, metals and their compounds.
    • Organic chemistry: the special significance of carbon; chain and ring-shaped compounds; isomerism; hydrocarbons and their derivates (functional groups); aromatic compounds; petroleum; plastics (polymerization, polycondensation, polyaddition), nomenclature, heterocycles, optical activity, detergents, reaction types.
    • Introduction to biochemistry: carbohydrates; fats; amino acids; proteins (colloids).

You can select your elective subject from one of the courses of the degree program you intend to enroll in.

The course you attend must be worth a minimum of 2 ECTS credits.

It must either be a course included in the initial Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase (StEOP) or a continuing course which can be taken before concluding the Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase (StEOP).

Course requirements are available in the course description provided in KUSSS, opens an external URL in a new window

Admission Requirements

Because there are so many different types of prior education, it is impossible to provide information for every scenario. If you are unsure, contact us beforehand by sending an e-mail to: studienberechtigung(at)jku.at, opens in new window and ask about your individual situation.

Generally speaking, your previous educational qualifications should consist of one year of training in the field in which you intend to earn your degree (e.g., engineering). The following lists a few examples of suitable educational qualifications:

  • An apprenticeship as an office administrator qualifies you to take the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination (SBP) for law, social sciences, and business
  • If you graduated from a four-year technical college (HLW, Handelsschule, etc.), you may take the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination in the corresponding subject area
  • An apprenticeship as an electrical engineering technician qualifies you to take the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination (SBP) for engineering

Register for the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination

  1. Submit an application for admission

  2. Register as a non-degree seeking student

  3. Register for the preparation courses

OR

Register to take the examinations only

Contact

E-Mail

studienberechtigung(at)jku.at

Admissions Office

1. Submit an application for admission

Click here to register for an account, opens an external URL in a new window. This will creat a guest account for applicants that allows you to complete the application process.

 

Please note:

  • This account as a student applicant only allows you to apply for admission to the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination (SBP) for the time being.
  • You will not be able log in to the JKU's IT services (i.e. KUSSS) using this account. You may only log into JKU's IT services once you have been admitted as a non-degree seeking student.

If you already have an account as a student applicant, proceed directly to the next step.

Once you have an applicant account, log into JKU MyAdmission, opens an external URL in a new window and complete the form.

 

During this step, you will also be required to provide the following documents: 

  • A valid passport, ID card, or a valid driver's license together with proof of nationality
  • A current CV
  • Proof of prior professional or non-professional education (certificate or confirmation)

Please note:

  • You will automatically take part in a statistical survey in accordance with section 18 para. 6 of the Education Documentation Act.

If your application is successful, you will receive an admission letter through JKU MyAdmission that confirms your authorization to take the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination.

 

Please provide the following documents, making sure that all of the documents are complete, submitted as a PDF file, and legible.

  • A valid passport, ID card, or a valid driver's license together with proof of nationality
  • A current CV
  • Proof of prior professional or non-professional education (certificate or confirmation)
  • Confirmation of any change in name, provided not all of the documents are in the same name (e.g., certificate of marriage)

  • In general, you can submit your application for admission at any time
  • It can take up to 4 weeks to process your application
  • You can apply to enroll as a non-degree seeking student and also take preparation courses (please note course registration period in KUSSS) at the same time
     

We generally recommend applying before the summer holidays and by the end of August/beginning of September at the very latest.

 

2. Enrolling as a Non-Degree Seeking Student

If you wish to attend preparatory courses, you will be required to enroll as a non-degree seeking student. You can apply for a non-degree seeking program before you have received the Letter of Admission. Please clarify first, whether or not you fulfill the requirements for admission: studienberechtigung(at)jku.at, opens in new window 

Please note: Applicants applying as a non-degree seeking student will be subject to tuition fees, opens in new window.

Register as a Non-Degree Seeking Student

3. Registering for Examinations

If you do not wish to take preparatory courses and study the examination content yourself, you may opt to register directly for exams.

You can register for the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination either in person or by sending an e-mail to: pruefung-sowi(at)jku.at, opens in new window) at the Office of Examinations and Recognition Services, opens in new window.

Registration forms (PDF):

Please note: If you are applying for admission to the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination at the JKU, you must take at least one examination at the JKU.

The University Enrollment Eligibility Examination examinations are individual examinations normally scheduled during January, March, June, and September.


There are so-called 'framework dates' announced and published each year and the examinations take place during this time. Information about the framework dates and the registration deadlines are available at Framework Dates for 2026 Examinations, opens a file.


The exact examination dates (day, place, and time) is available approximately two weeks before the framework date. See: Announcements, opens in new window.

Academic Credit Transfer (Examinations)

If you have been admitted to the university enrollment eligibility examination at the JKU Linz, you can apply for academic credit transfer for examinations taken at external educational institutions (providing they are considered equivalent and comparable in terms of content and scope).

 

For example:

  • An Austrian "Matura" diploma (=Reifeprüfung)
  • Vocational examination (=Berufsreifeprüfung)
  • The "Externistenreifeprüfung"
  • The Civil Service Promotion Examination (=Beamtenaufstiegsprüfung)
  • University postgraduate programs (=Universitätslehrgänge)
  • University-level courses (=Universitätslehrveranstaltungen)
  • Other examinations taken at recognized educational institutions in Austria or abroad

If you have successfully passed a master craftsman's examination or a qualifying examination in accordance with the Trade Regulation Act (BGBl.No. 194/1994), or the Agricultural and Forestry Vocational Training Act (BGBl.No. 298/1990), you may apply to be exempt from taking a university enrollment eligibility examination in an elective subject area.

You can get academic credit for up to four examinations. You must take at least one examination at the JKU Linz.


Submit an Application

Once you have been admitted to take the university enrollment eligibility examination, you can apply for academic credit transfer via JKU MyAdmission.

Sign up using your student applicant account at JKU MyAdmission, opens an external URL in a new window and select "Studienberechtigungsprüfung".

At this stage, we will require the following documents:

  • Valid passport, ID card, or driver's license along with your proof of citizenship
  • Confirmation of any name change, providing not all of the documents contain the same name (i.e. marriage certificate)
  • Proof/verification of the examination taken at an external location

If you have not yet been admitted to take the university enrollment eligibility examination, you can apply for credit transfer at the same time that you apply for admission.

Frequently Asked Questions

The admission itself and the examinations are free of charge.

If you are attending preparatory courses, you must enroll as a non-degree seeking student and each semester, you will be subject to paying tuition fees as well as the mandatory Austrian Student Union fee, opens in new window.

The preparatory courses are subject to a fee. It is not mandatory to attend one or several preparatory courses.

 

Please note:

  • When attending preparatory courses subject to a fee, the tuition fee can be retroactively refunded, providing you attended courses for the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination only.
  • If the elective subject taken as part of a regular academic degree program, the tuition fee cannot be refunded.

Yes, you may be eligible for financial aid for the University Enrollment Eligibility Examination providing you were awarded financial aid to pursue a regular academic degree program (age and income limits). Before submitting the application for admission, contact the Study Grant Authority, opens an external URL in a new window or the Austrian Student Union Office for Social Affairs, opens an external URL in a new window.

You may also be eligible to financial aid from the Bildungskonto OÖ, opens an external URL in a new window (educational program for adults in Upper Austria to support the pursuit of higher education and professional qualifications).

 

Go to JKU Homepage

Johannes Kepler University Linz

Altenberger Straße 69

4040 Linz, Austria

Telephone +43 732 2468 0
Contact