specific subject area only, whereas the Berufsreifeprüfung grants general access to HE.
Access to Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences, UAS) In Austria, the first degree programmes at UAS started in 1994. Opening access to tertiary education and raising the number of non-traditional students were among the aims of the UAS being established in Austria. The law on UAS study programmes, Art. 12 Sec. 2.7 (FachhochschulStudiengesetz), includes a very general provision to the effect that access to UAS is possible for persons with relevant vocational qualification, but without a Reifeprüfung. In practice, the phrase mostly applies to graduates of vocational schools or apprenticeships with a certain amount of professional experience, or persons with other qualifications (i.e. persons with individual educational careers which cannot be defined in general terms but which may also qualify as relevant vocational qualification11). In addition, the law stipulates that candidates may have to sit supplementary examinations, depending on the competences necessary for a degree programme.12 The accreditation guidelines for UAS also mention consideration being given to whether additional exams are necessary, and, if yes, which subjects are relevant. Both the law and the accreditation guidelines thus leave some space for interpretations by the UAS. In practice, persons with relevant vocational qualifications usually have to take additional exams. The subjects of these vary, but they usually correspond to the general-education subjects of the HE entrance exam (Studienberechtigungsprüfung).13 Applicants with relevant background are assessed on a case-by-case basis; the decision concerning access to the study programme applies only to the individual in question. However, current practice shows that requirements of a more general nature are frequently defined for holders of certain VET qualifications. In particular, in the case of applicants with other qualifications, access is decided for each individual separately. Regulations about relevant apprenticeships and VET schools have to be laid down in the study programmes’ application accredited by the FH Council (council of the UAS, Fachhochschulrat). A list of relevant apprenticeships and VET schools can, in some cases, be found on the relevant study programmes’ websites; in other cases, candidates must contact the relevant UAS directly to gain this information. In the many cases in which students need the extra exams to participate in the actual admission procedure, they first have to apply for the additional exam and the (mostly obligatory) preparation courses. At this stage, it is
11 Fachhochschulrat (2011). 12 Fachhochschul-Studiengesetz – FHStG (2007). 13 Fachhochschulrat (2011).
259 DEVELOPING COOPER ATION BET WEEN VET, HIGHER EDUC ATION AND ADULT LEARNING IN RESPONSE TO THE CHALLENGE OF LIFELONG LEARNING
INITIAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND EMPLOYABILITY