Credit Recognition / Transfer

Students have the opportunity to have previously completed academic achievements and acquired competencies recognized or credited toward their studies. This applies both to coursework completed at other higher education institutions and to competencies acquired outside formal study programs.

The aim of the recognition and crediting procedure is to take previously acquired competencies into account, avoid duplicate examinations, and support an efficient course of study.

The procedure is based on the statutes of MUK, the Privathochschulgesetz (PrivHG) and the recommendations of the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria). Recognition follows the principles of the Lisbon Recognition Convention and is granted unless substantial differences in the achieved learning outcomes are identified.

The Director of Studies at MUK is responsible for the recognition process.

Recognition of Coursework from Other Higher Education Institutions

Coursework completed at recognized post-secondary or tertiary educational institutions may be recognized upon application. A prerequisite for recognition is that no substantial differences in learning outcomes can be identified compared to the courses specified in the curriculum.

In particular, the following aspects are considered:

• Course content and qualification objectives
• Scope of the course (ECTS credits or weekly semester hours)
• Level of the competencies acquired

If sufficient comparability of learning outcomes exists, the respective coursework may be recognized within the framework of the relevant curriculum.

Crediting and Validation of Competencies Acquired Outside Higher Education

In addition to formal academic achievements, competencies acquired outside higher education institutions may also be recognized under certain conditions.

This particularly includes:

• qualified professional activities
• institutional training programs
• other forms of non-formal or informal learning

Crediting is possible if the type, scope, and level of the acquired competencies correspond to the qualification objectives specified in the curriculum.

Application Procedure

Recognition or credit transfer is granted only upon application by the student.

The application must be submitted to the Student Affairs Office using the designated form. All documentation required to assess equivalence must be attached to the application.

Required Documents

For the assessment of recognition, the following documents may be required:

Examination Certificates / Transcript of Records

These must generally contain the following information:

• Date of issue
• Date the examination was taken
• Full title of the course
• Scope of the course (ECTS credits or weekly semester hours)
• Grade achieved
• Assignment to the semester
• Name of the student
• Stamp or signature of the issuing institution

Foreign documents must be submitted in the original or as certified copies.

Additional Possible Documents

• Course descriptions including information on content and learning objectives
• Study plan or curriculum of the completed program
• Information on the grading scale
• Evidence of professional activities (e.g., employment contract or certificate of employment)

Procedure of the Recognition Process

The recognition or crediting process generally includes the following steps:

1. Initial consultation at the Student Affairs Office regarding the possibilities for recognition.
2. Submission of the fully completed application including all required documents.
3. Assessment (completeness and consistency to the MUK exams).
4. Entry of the recognized achievements into MUKonline.
5. Notification of the student regarding the outcome (within 2 months after submission of the application).

If there are justified objections to a decision, the student may submit a written appeal to the Senate within two weeks of the decision being announced.

Further Information

Experience shows that the crediting of theoretical subjects from recognized (partner) universities and higher education institutions usually proceeds without difficulty. Please inquire about this during the initial consultation at the Student Affairs Office.

Artistic subjects (e.g., ZkF – Central Artistic Subject, artistic ensemble practice (Module KEP)) are at the core of the artistic and artistic-pedagogical study programs at MUK. The development of these competencies takes place within the high-quality teaching provided at MUK, and the corresponding courses must therefore generally be completed at MUK for each study program. Credit transfer is only provided under very special conditions.

For example, the course KEP Orchestra can only be credited upon proof of a permanent employment relationship with a professional orchestra (an orchestra with employment contracts – not “contracts for work” or “freelance service contracts”).

Examinations or achievements that cannot be recognized as equivalent at MUK may be credited as free electives, provided that the curriculum still requires ECTS credits in this area and the achievement is relevant to the study program.

It is also possible to have examinations taken and positively assessed within the framework of a non-degree program at MUK recognized for degree programs.

Guideline for Crediting Courses for Graduates of an Austrian Music High School and the BRG Boerhaavegasse – Ballet Branch

Graduates of an Austrian music high school (Realgymnasium or Oberstufenrealgymnasium) may, upon application, have the following compulsory courses credited toward the respective bachelor’s program:

• Harmony and Counterpoint (Tonsatz) 01–02
• Ear Training 01–02
• Music History 01–02
• Analysis of Musical Structures / Theory of Musical Forms 01
• Revision Course General Music Theory 01–02

Graduates of BRG Boerhaavegasse (Ballet Branch):

• History and Presence of Dance 01–02

The secondary school leaving certificate (Reifeprüfungszeugnis) must be attached to the recognition application.

Recognition of final examinations and final theses (e.g., Bachelor’s thesis and Bachelor’s examination, Master’s thesis and Master’s examination) is not possible.