Schoolchildren to the universities
The program for students at the universities , similar to the German student program , is a project supervised by the Austrian Center for the Promotion and Research of Talented Students (ÖZBF) . It enables particularly motivated and / or talented students to attend courses at Austrian universities and technical colleges free of charge . Completed course examinations are fully credited as a regular listener after the school-leaving examination and enrollment. In addition, the ÖZBF will issue a confirmation of participation in the program.
Participation in the program
Participation in students at universities is possible for all interested students. A letter of motivation, the approval of the respective school and the legal guardian are required from the ÖZBF. In addition, the students have to complete one course per semester and submit the certificate to the ÖZBF.
Universities usually require a minimum age of 15 or 16 years, but in exceptional cases it is also possible to study earlier. With the consent of the school, project participants can also be exempt from attending courses (according to SchUG § 45 Paragraph 4, possibility of absent from school for important reasons ). They are also exempt from tuition fees. According to the Universities Act 2002 (UG 2002 § 70 (1)) it is possible for pupils in Austria to study as an extraordinary student at the university. The duration of the participation in the program can be chosen individually, there is no time limit is also intended as a means of orientation, the students do not have to commit themselves to a subject, but can instead attend the courses that interest them particularly.
Assistance from the ÖZBF
The ÖZBF offers students support in the following areas:
- Contacting the university and school authorities
- Assistance with legal questions
- Information and networking
- Creating a culture of recognition for special talents
aims
The advantages include:
- Early orientation opportunity - as part of the program, the students have the opportunity to get an overview of the university's offerings and thus determine which subject suits them.
- Deepening knowledge - outside of school, the pupils can deal with topics that interest them particularly.
- Creation of a culture of recognition for special talents - the students can implement their abilities in an environment that promotes talent.
- Shortening of the study time - possible orientation semesters are omitted and completed courses are recognized.
- Getting to know university life - the pupils can find out whether they like studying and make contacts.
History of the program
The program is an initiative of the BMBWK (the former Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Culture) and the ÖZBF, together with the universities and the federal state coordination offices for gifted and talented promotion. The program was launched as a pilot project in the winter semester 2000/01; meanwhile, an average of 45 Austrian students attend courses at universities and technical colleges per semester.