The Nostrification of Foreign Degrees

What is nostrification?

Nostrification means the conversion of a foreign degree into its Austrian equivalent. A nostrification may be carried out only if there is an equivalent degree programme at an Austrian university of applied sciences. An application for nostrification of a degree gained at a foreign university requires proof that the nostrification is necessary in order for the applicant to continue his:her education or take up a profession in Austria.[1]

A nostrification is not needed, for instance, if the applicant is already entitled to carry out his:her profession in accordance with EU guidelines on the recognition of academic qualifications (e.g. 89/48/EEC). In this case, graduates of a university of applied sciences programme equivalent to the FH JOANNEUM programmes in “Biomedical Science”, “Dietetics and Nutrition”, “Occupational Therapy”, “Health Care and Nursing”, “Logopedics”, “Physiotherapy” and “Radiography” must contact the relevant Federal Ministry. Graduates of a degree programme equivalent to the “Midwifery” programme must submit their application to the representative body for midwives in Austria (“Österreichisches Hebammengremium”).

A nostrification is usually not necessary for degrees obtained within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA).

Legal effects

The nostrified academic degree is equal to an academic degree gained in Austria. It entitles the holder:

• to hold the equivalent Austrian degree (instead of the foreign one) and
• to exercise all rights associated with it, in particular exercising a profession which in Austria is reserved for people who hold a relevant degree from a university or university of applied sciences.

What documents do I need for a nostrification and how much does it cost?

The following documents must be enclosed with the nostrification application:

1. proof that nostrification is necessary in order for the applicant to continue his:her education or take up a profession in Austria [1]
2. signed CV (brief, with particular emphasis on educational background)
3. birth certificate, and any documents relating to change of name (e.g. marriage certificate) if the academic certificates are issued in a previous name
4. copy of proof of citizenship or passport
5. secondary school leaving certificate
6. academic records (record of study / index / curriculum), examination certificates including description and number of hours of the courses attended, internships and of the examinations taken
7. final certificate or diploma certificate
8. copy of final thesis (original language) including table of contents, list of literature and abstract in German
9. proof of sufficient German language skills [2] (the required language level can be found on the homepage of the respective degree program)
10. copy of confirmation of payment of 150 euros (nostrification fee), which is to be transferred to the following FH JOANNEUM GmbH bank account:

Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark AG
Radetzkystraße 15 – 17, 8010 Graz
FH JOANNEUM GmbH
IBAN: AT24 3800 0000 0565 0650
BIC: RZSTAT2G
Reason for payment: nostrification fee

How does the nostrification process work?

Once the Division of “Continuing Education, Study Administration and Study Law” of FH JOANNEUM has received the nostrification application plus enclosures, the applicant will be invited by the relevant Head of Degree Programme or a representative to attend a mandatory consultation interview.

Applications for nostrification will be processed as soon as the Division of “Continuing Education, Study Administration and Study Law” has received all required documents and the applicant has attended a counselling interview with the head of the relevant degree programme or his:her representative. This also marks the beginning of the four-month decision period according to Sec. 7 (1) of the Recognition and Assessment Act (AuBG), Federal Law Gazette (BGBl.) No. 55/2016 as amended.

Once the application has been reviewed, the applicant will be informed of the ruling by mail. If the ruling specifies that the applicant has to attend any individual courses or placements and examinations, the applicant has the option of attending them at FH JOANNEUM within a period of three years.