Are you allowed to just sit in on lectures in Austria?
Hello everyone,
The title is actually the question.
I am M26, live in Vienna and have been going to lectures here and there that interest me for about 10 years, just to learn something that sounds interesting.
I heard that attending lectures is not actually a requirement for university affiliation (I was only a student there for 4 years), only for the assessment and resulting grades.
So, am I legally allowed to simply attend lectures (and if not, do you think it's enough to ask for the permission of the professor teaching the course?)
Kind regards, Justin G.
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Lectures in Austria are usually public and accessible to everyone. Most lecturers also give it back. There can only be restrictions due to lack of space etc.
You don't have to register for lectures, and access is not controlled. In "mass lectures" it will not be noticed. If you go to a special lecture with only a handful of participants, you may discuss the matter with the lecturer.
And if you want to have it officially, there is Special studies:
https://studieren.univie.ac.at/authorisation/ausserordentliche-studies/lectures-aus-interest visits/
You can then not only attend lectures, but also visit other courses – and even take exams; but they are not counted for a proper study (unless you were not entitled to a proper study at that time).
You can believe a lot. Since you've been a student there for 4 years, it won't be a problem for you to ask a professor responsible there or university administration.
Only they can give you verifiable information.