Austria's Education Mandate: School Attendance Constitutionally Required

Austria has a rich history of education reform, dating back to Empress Maria Theresa's introduction of compulsory schooling in 1774. Today, the country's education system is governed by the School Act of 1962, which mandates nine years of compulsory education for all children residing in Austria, including those with residence permits. This requirement is enshrined in the Austrian Constitution, with children aged six to fifteen required to attend school. The Austrian school system offers a range of educational tracks, including academic and vocational paths, with the Federal Ministry of Education overseeing primary, secondary, and tertiary education.

The Austrian constitution mandates nine years of compulsory education for all long-term child residents

Compulsory education in Austria typically begins in the year a child turns six before 1 September or 31 August and lasts for nine years. The first four years are spent in primary school or "Volksschule", followed by four years of lower secondary education in either a Mittelschule or a Gymnasium. The final compulsory year is typically spent in a polytechnic school, the senior department of a general secondary school, or a vocational upper or middle school.

The Austrian education system offers a range of options for students to complete their compulsory education, including public and private schools with different educational priorities. The core subjects taught in secondary schools include mathematics, natural sciences, classical languages, and foreign languages, with additional emphasis on sports, music, or creativity depending on the school's focus.

After completing the compulsory nine years of education, students can choose to continue their education or pursue an apprenticeship. The apprenticeship option involves a combination of practical training in companies and theoretical knowledge in vocational schools, which can last up to four additional years.

The Austrian education system is known for its high standards, and the country attaches great importance to education. The School Act of 1962 forms the legal basis for primary and secondary education, and the Federal Ministry of Education oversees funding and supervision at these levels.

Compulsory education in Austria begins the year a child turns six before 31 August

Compulsory education in Austria lasts for nine years, from the age of six to 15. The first four years of primary school (usually between the ages of six and ten) are spent in primary school ("Volksschule"), where children are taught basic knowledge and skills. After primary school, children have a choice of different types of schools to attend for their lower secondary education, including public and private schools with varying educational priorities.

The two main types of public secondary schools are the Lower Secondary School ("Mittelschule" - MS) and the Academic Secondary School ("Gymnasium" - AHS). The MS is a compulsory school that must accept all pupils who completed the fourth year of primary school with positive marks. It prepares pupils for professional or vocational training and offers instruction tailored to their interests, abilities, and skills. The AHS, on the other hand, is not required to accept certain pupils if their performance does not meet specified standards. It offers a comprehensive and broad general education, with a focus on liberal arts, humanities, and teaching students different languages.

After completing their lower secondary education, pupils can choose to attend a higher-level vocational secondary school or a school for intermediate vocational education. These schools provide vocational training in specific areas, allowing graduates to directly enter certain professions.

Primary school education lasts four years, from ages six to ten

In Austria, primary school education lasts four years, from ages six to ten. This is the first stage of compulsory education, which lasts for nine years in total.

Primary school education in Austria is known as 'Volksschule'. After kindergarten or preschool, children usually start attending primary school at the age of six. Over the course of four years, they will learn basic knowledge and skills.

The academic year in primary schools, as with secondary schools, consists of two semesters, which are interrupted by holidays. Lessons begin on the first Monday in September, and classes are held five days a week.

After completing primary school, students have a choice of different educational paths to follow. They can attend either a lower secondary school ('Mittelschule') or an academic secondary or grammar school ('Allgemeinbildenden Höheren Schule' or AHS).

Secondary education is divided into lower and upper levels, lasting from ages ten to fourteen and fourteen to eighteen, respectively

Secondary education in Austria is divided into two levels: lower and upper. The lower level is for students aged ten to fourteen, while the upper level is for students aged fourteen to eighteen.

After four years of primary education, students in Austria have their first opportunity to choose their educational path. They can opt for a lower secondary school ("Mittelschule - MS"), a compulsory option that accepts all pupils who completed the fourth year of primary school with positive marks. Alternatively, they can attend an academic secondary or grammar school ("Allgemeinbildenden Höheren Schule – AHS"). The AHS system offers a comprehensive and broad general education, with a focus on liberal arts, humanities, and learning languages such as English, Latin, and French.

The lower secondary school prepares pupils for professional or vocational training, offering instruction tailored to their interests, abilities, and skills. From the third level, pupils can take advanced courses in German, mathematics, and foreign languages. After completing lower secondary school, they can transfer to a college for higher vocational education or the upper level of an academic secondary school.

The AHS includes a four-year lower level for grades 5 to 8 and a four-year upper level for grades 9 to 12. Pupils in grades 5 and 6 follow the same general curriculum, and starting in grade 7 (3rd level), the focus shifts to preparing for a specific type of university education. It is worth noting that the AHS is not required to accept pupils whose performance does not meet specified standards. However, after successfully completing grade 5, pupils are not obliged to continue their education at AHS, although most do.

Upon completing the compulsory nine years of education, young people in Austria have several options. They can continue their studies at higher-level vocational secondary schools, which offer five-year programs and conclude with a school-leaving examination ("Reifeprüfung" or "Matura") or a diploma examination ("Diplomprüfung"). These schools also provide vocational training in specific areas, allowing graduates to directly enter certain professions.

Another option is schools for intermediate vocational education ("Berufsbildende mittlere Schulen – BMS"), which offer programs lasting one to four years (ages 14 to 18). These schools have different educational priorities and conclude with professional examinations ("Fachprüfungen"), qualifying pupils to enter related professions. Examples include the Secondary Technical, Commercial, and Crafts School, the Secondary Business School, and the Vocational School for Economic Professions.

Austria's secondary education system offers a range of choices for students, allowing them to pursue different paths based on their interests and future goals. The system aims to provide a well-rounded education and prepare students for further studies or their chosen careers.

After completing compulsory education, students can choose to attend higher-level vocational schools or schools for intermediate vocational education

In Austria, nine years of education are mandatory. After completing compulsory education, students can choose to attend higher-level vocational schools or schools for intermediate vocational education.

Higher-level vocational schools

Higher-level vocational schools offer both comprehensive general education and higher-level vocational training. This double qualification grants school-leavers immediate access to relevant professions and entitles them to enrol in all university courses.

Prerequisites for admittance to higher-level vocational schools include the successful completion of level eight of the Austrian school system, and in some cases, entrance examinations. The main types of higher-level vocational schools offered by the Vienna School Board include:

• Higher-level technical schools (5 years)
• Higher-level technical schools for people under employment (8 semesters)
• College for people under employment (6 semesters)
• Higher-level commercial schools (5 years)
• Higher-level schools for tourism (5 years)
• Higher-level schools for fashion and clothing (5 years)

Schools for intermediate vocational education

Schools for intermediate vocational education, along with general education, provide training for specific professions. To enter these schools, students must have successfully completed level eight of the Austrian school system and, in some cases, must have passed an entrance exam. The duration is between one and four years, depending on the branch chosen.

The most important 3-4 year school types with a final examination before an exam committee include:

• Schools of engineering, arts and crafts
• Schools of business administration
• Schools of management and service industries
• Schools of fashion and clothing
• Schools of tourism and schools of hotel and catering industries
• Schools of social occupations
• Schools of agriculture and forestry

Students who have successfully completed a three-year intermediate vocational school (final examination) have access to relevant professions and may also attend extension courses granting entry to higher (university) education.

Frequently asked questions