
In Austria, there are nine years of compulsory education. After four years in elementary school, students go on to spend four years in a school for lower secondary education or grammar school. Upper secondary school is the final four years of education, which students attend from the ages of 14 to 18.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Length of upper secondary school | 4 years |
Total length of secondary school | 8 years |
Total length of compulsory education | 9 years |
Age range of upper secondary school | 14-18 years |
What You'll Learn
- The Austrian upper secondary school system is divided into two parts: lower and upper level
- The lower level is four years of education
- The upper level is also four years of education
- Students graduate by passing the Austrian 'Matura' school-leaving certificate
- After graduating, students can either continue school education or go into professional training
The Austrian upper secondary school system is divided into two parts: lower and upper level
In Austria, there are nine years of compulsory education. After four years in elementary school, students attend a school for lower secondary education (Mittelschule) or grammar school (Gymnasium) for four years. The Austrian upper secondary school system is divided into two parts: the lower level and the upper level. The lower level lasts for four years and is for pupils aged 10 to 14 years. The upper level also lasts for four years and is for pupils aged 14 to 18 years. In some special forms, the upper school comprises five school levels. After completing the upper level, students graduate by successfully passing the Austrian "Matura" school-leaving certificate.
There are also vocational schools with a focus on either business and economics or technical subjects. These schools last for five years and also finish with the Matura. Intermediate vocational schools (from age 14, 9th-11th or 12th school grades) conclude with a technical examination, while higher vocational schools (from age 14, 9th-13th school grade) conclude with a technical examination and the Matura.
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The lower level is four years of education
In Austria, there are nine years of compulsory education in school. After four years in elementary school, students go to a school for lower secondary education for four years. The lower level is four years of education, which is compulsory for pupils in Austria. This is known as the 'lower cycle' of academic secondary school (AHS). Pupils are aged 10 to 14 years during this stage. The federal government is responsible for providing these schools.
The lower level of education is followed by the 'upper level' or 'upper cycle' of four years of education. This is for pupils aged 14 to 18. The upper level is also sometimes five school levels. Students graduate by successfully passing the Austrian 'Matura' school-leaving certificate.
Students must qualify to attend the higher level by successfully completing grade 4 in primary school. Grades for German/Reading and Mathematics must either be a '1' (Sehr Gut) or '2' (Gut). For students with a grade of '3' (Befriedigend), a commission will decide whether the child qualifies to attend an AHS school.
After completing the nine years of compulsory education, all young persons must either continue school education or go into professional training (Lehre) until the age of 18.
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The upper level is also four years of education
In Austria, there are nine years of compulsory education in school. After four years in elementary school, students attend a school for lower secondary education or grammar school for another four years. The upper level is also four years of education. This is divided into two cycles: the lower cycle (for pupils aged 10 to 14 years) and the upper cycle (for pupils aged 14 to 18 years). The upper level is also known as the Oberstufe and concludes with the Austrian "Matura" school-leaving certificate. Students must qualify to attend by successfully completing grade 4 in primary school. Grades for German/Reading and Mathematics must be either a "1" (Sehr Gut) or "2" (Gut). For students with a grade of "3" (Befriedigend), a commission will decide whether or not the child qualifies to attend an AHS school.
After completing the nine years of compulsory education, all young persons must either continue school education or go into professional training (Lehre) until the age of 18 or the successful completion of a further educational level. Higher vocational schools, for example, conclude with a technical examination and the general school-leaving examination (Matura). On leaving vocational schools, pupils may have qualified for one or more professions or occupations.
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Students graduate by passing the Austrian 'Matura' school-leaving certificate
In Austria, there are nine years of compulsory education. After four years in elementary school, students attend a school for lower secondary education or grammar school for another four years. Students graduate by passing the Austrian Matura school-leaving certificate.
The Matura is also the conclusion of higher general secondary school and grammar school, which students attend from the age of 14 to 18. The Matura is also the conclusion of intermediate and higher vocational schools. Vocational schools with a focus on business and economics or technical subjects last five years, as opposed to the four-year Oberstufe of the Gymnasium.
The Matura is a set of examinations. In vocational schools, students must choose an 'Ausbildungsschwerpunkt', which is the main focus of their schooling and a compulsory subject at the Matura examinations. The grading system used in Austrian schools is as follows: 1 (sehr gut) is excellent; 2 (gut) is good; 3 (befriedigend) is satisfactory; 4 (genügend) is sufficient; and 5 (nicht genügend) means that you have failed.
To attend a higher-level school, students must qualify by successfully completing grade 4 in primary school. Grades for German/Reading and Mathematics must be a 1 or a 2. Students with a grade of 3 will be assessed by a commission who will decide whether or not the child qualifies to attend.
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After graduating, students can either continue school education or go into professional training
In Austria, there are nine years of compulsory education in school. After graduating, students can either continue school education or go into professional training.
Students who want to continue their education can attend an academic secondary school (AHS) or a grammar school (Gymnasium). These schools are divided into two parts: four years of "lower-level" education and four years of "upper-level" education. Students who complete the eight years of education graduate by successfully passing the Austrian "Matura" school-leaving certificate.
Students who want to pursue a vocational path can attend intermediate or higher vocational schools. Intermediate vocational schools are for students aged 14 to 16 (9th to 11th or 12th school grades), and they conclude with a technical examination. Higher vocational schools are for students aged 14 and above (9th to 13th school grades), and they conclude with a technical examination and the general school-leaving examination (Matura). On leaving vocational schools, pupils may have qualified for one or more professions or occupations.
Additionally, there are vocational schools with a focus on business and economics or technical subjects, such as commercial academies (HAK) and polytechnics (HTL). These schools last five years and also finish with the Matura. In these schools, students choose an "Ausbildungsschwerpunkt", which is the main focus of their schooling and a compulsory subject at the Matura examinations.
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Frequently asked questions
Austrian students attend upper secondary school for four years, from the ages of 14 to 18.
In Austria, there are nine years of compulsory education in school. After that, all young people must either continue school education or go into professional training until the age of 18.
Students must qualify to attend by successfully completing grade 4 in primary school (Volksschule). Grades for German/Reading and Mathematics must either be a "1" (Sehr Gut) or "2" (Gut). For students with a grade of "3" (Befriedigend), a commission will render a decision as to whether or not the child qualifies to attend an AHS school.
Lower secondary school in Austria is for pupils aged 10 to 14, while upper secondary school is for pupils aged 14 to 18.
Students graduate by successfully passing the Austrian "Matura" school-leaving certificate.