University Entrance Qualification Examination
Regulation of the Rectorate of the University of Art and Design Linz concerning the university entrance examination for the Bachelor's degree programmes in Architecture, Industrial Design and Cultural Studies
Preamble
At the University of Art and Design Linz, the study programmes “BA Architecture”, “BA Industrial Design” and “BA Cultural Studies” require proof of “general university entrance qualification”. According to § 64 (1) UG, persons without a university entrance qualification can obtain the general university entrance qualification for Bachelor's and diploma studies by taking the university entrance qualification examination.
Admission to the university entrance qualification examination
Admission to the university entrance qualification examination is open to persons who are seeking admission to studies in one of the groups of studies at a university, who have reached the age of 20 and who can prove that they have completed a successful vocational or non-vocational education for the intended course of study that goes beyond compulsory schooling.
The application for admittance to the university entrance qualification examination shall be submitted in writing to the Rectorate of the University of Art and Design Linz and shall contain:
- name, date of birth, address and - where available - matriculation number;
- proof of citizenship of an EU or EEA country, or proof of belonging to a group of persons according to the Decree on Groups of Persons;
- the studies aimed for;
- proof of prior education;
- curriculum vitae, which particularly addresses the previous education;
- the elective subject or elective subjects from the area of the desired group of studies
Groups of Studies
The university entrance qualification examination can be taken at the University of Art and Design Linz for the following groups of studies:
Engineering studies (the Bachelor's degree programmes “Architecture” and “Industrial Design” are assigned to this group at the University of Art and Design Linz). The Rectorate specifies the following examination subjects for this group of degree programmes:
1. a written paper on a general topic (essay),
2. two examinations that are required with regard to the prior knowledge for the desired group of degree programmes, compulsory subjects: descriptive geometry and mathematics 2,
3. two examinations in the elective subject from the area of the intended degree program.
Humanities and Cultural Studies (the Bachelor's degree programme in Cultural Studies is assigned to this group at the University of Art and Design Linz)
The rectorate specifies the following examination subjects for this group of degree programmes:
- a written paper on a general topic (essay)(German)
- two examinations that are required with regard to the prior knowledge for the desired group of study; compulsory subjects: English 2, History 2
- two examinations in the elective subject from the area of the intended degree programme.
Examination requirements and methods, examinations/recognition
The examination requirements in the compulsory subjects are based on the curricula of grade 12 or 13 and include:
- Written work on a general topic (essay):
In the written paper on a general topic, examination candidates must demonstrate that they are able to express themselves in writing on a given topic in flawless and fluent language and with a clear train of thought. The working time is 4 hours. - Mathematics 2 (written and oral):
Sets of numbers; equations and inequalities; elementary functions; linear algebra (especially vectors) and geometry; trigonometry and angle functions; sequences and series; basic concepts of differential calculus and integral calculus. - Descriptive geometry (written):
Solving basic problems in assigned normal sections; perspective representation; lateral section principle; representation of plane-bounded solids and simple technical objects; plane sections and nets of prisms and pyramids; perspective affinity and collineation; normal section of a circle; ellipse as an affine image of a circle; rotating cylinders and rotating cones; representation of the sphere and its plane sections; plane sections of rotating cylinders and rotating cones; development of rotating cylinders and rotating cones. - English 2 (written and oral):
Confidence in oral and written expression with correct use of basic grammar; ability to understand the language at a normal rate of speech and to participate in conversations on matters of common knowledge in a manner understandable to the interlocutor; ability to translate simple texts into German; ability to read and summarize short texts fluently; ability to comment on general topics primarily in narrative and/or descriptive essay form. - History 2 (oral):
Basic principles of general history, essential historical facts and developments in European history with a focus on Austria, taking into account aspects of cultural, economic and social history.
The elective subject is to be chosen by the applicant from the area of the intended degree program and completed in the form of an oral or written examination. The elective subject can also be taken in the form of course examinations, whereby the course must comprise at least 2 ECTS credits per elective subject. The body responsible for the implementation of study law provisions in the first instance, the Vice-Rector for Teaching, decides on the admissibility of elective subjects. Applicants may also specify a list of alternative examinations for the elective subjects.
Examinations which have been assessed positively and which an examination candidate has taken at an educational institution which is recognized as an educational institution on the basis of the legal provisions of the state in which it is based, shall be recognized by the Rectorate upon application, provided that they are equivalent to the prescribed examinations in terms of content and scope. The Rectorate may recognize a maximum of 4 examinations. At least one examination must be taken at the university or, in the case of jointly organized courses, at one of the participating educational institutions.
Examination candidates who have successfully passed a master craftsman's examination or a qualifying examination in accordance with the Industrial Code BGBl. No. 194/1994 or the Agricultural and Forestry Vocational Training Act BGBl. No. 298/1990 shall be exempted from taking the university entrance qualification examination in the elective subject upon application.
Examination candidates are entitled to repeat negatively assessed examinations twice. The last permitted repetition must be carried out in committee form. After a negative assessment of the last permitted resit, admission to the university entrance qualification examination expires. A new admission to the university entrance qualification examination for this group of courses at the university in question is excluded. The assessment of an examination must be “pass” or “fail”. The overall assessment must be “pass” if no examination was assessed as “fail”; in other cases, it must be “fail”.
A certificate shall be issued for each examination. Once all examination certificates are available, the Rectorate shall issue a certificate of eligibility to study for the respective group of degree programmes. This university entrance qualification certificate is valid for every university, university college of teacher education or university of applied sciences at which a course of study in the respective group of fields of study has been established.
Successful completion of the university entrance qualification examination entitles the holder to admission to all courses of study in the group for which the university entrance qualification was acquired.
Proof of general university entrance qualification is deemed to have been provided upon successful completion of the university entrance qualification examination. Proof of special aptitude for the intended course of study at the University of Art and Design Linz (entrance examination) must also be provided.
