Admission requirements and admission procedures vary according to the respective education and training programme offered. It is recommended that students contact the school of their choice at an early stage and obtain the relevant detailed information. 

VET schools and 5-year colleges

In principle, admission to VET school requires successful completion of year 8. For admission to a (5-year) college, proof needs to be furnished of successful completion of the 4th grade of lower secondary school or higher general education school; applicants from lower secondary school have to meet specific regulations in connection with streaming on the basis of performance in compulsory subjects. For admission to artistic area specialisations, exams to determine artistic aptitude are held.

Interested students can register for school attendance by the first Friday following the end of the semester holidays. They have to submit the following documents: the registration form; the original and a copy of the school report from the school they are attending at the time of application. The school will rank the applications for admission it has received according to specified criteria and will assign school places by the 4th Monday following the end of the semester holidays.

Add-on courses, post-secondary VET courses, and VET colleges for people in employment

In general, the following prerequisites must be met upon admission: 

• Completion of a VET school with the same or a related area specialisation before admission to an add-on course, 
• Reife- und Diplomprüfung of a VET college or Reifeprüfung of another upper secondary school before admission to a post-secondary VET course, and 
• Completion of a relevant apprenticeship before admission to a VET college for people in employment; any qualifications exceeding the level of the apprenticeship certificate (such as completion of a relevant VET school or foreperson course) will lead to students being assigned to higher semesters.

For admission to these types of schools, school heads will set a registration deadline. The students’ admitted will be announced on the school’s official board or in another appropriate manner.