Vom Werk-Meister zum Hochschul-Master. Nicht-traditionelle Hochschulzugänge auf dem Prüfstand

The present article focuses on a study conducted by the Department of Sociology at the University of Innsbruck from 2010, which was the first to prove that those who have passed the higher education entrance examination for persons having completed their vocational training (Berufsreifeprüfung in German) and the university entrance qualification examination (Studienberechtigungsprüfung in German) in Tyrol can hold their head as high as "classic" graduates of academic secondary schools (Allgemeinbildende Höhere Schulen - AHS in German) and secondary technical and vocational schools (Berufsbildende Höhere Schulen - BHS in German). They do not drop out of university more often, nor are they less successful in their studies. They use their personal and organizational competences to overcome any knowledge deficits. Based on these positive findings, the article shows how the conditions for students who access the university via "non-traditional" paths can be further improved and - by taking a closer look at Germany - questions the necessity for the Berufsreifeprüfung and the Studienberechtigungsprüfung for those with vocational qualifications.