Leslie Massey
Austria has a strong and robust education system, with nine years of mandatory education for children aged between six and fifteen. The school system is divided into four years of primary school and five years of secondary school. After primary school, parents and children can choose from a large number of public and private schools with varying educational priorities. Public schools are free of charge, while private schools can cost upwards of €25,000 per year. The country also offers special schools for disabled children or those with special educational needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Compulsory education | 9 years |
| Compulsory kindergarten | 1 year |
| Age for compulsory education | 6-15 years |
| Age for kindergarten | 5 years |
| Public school fees | Free |
| Private school fees | €25,000+ per year |
| School year start date | First Monday in September |
| School day timings | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Class duration | 45-50 minutes |
| Holidays | December 24th and 31st, February break |
| Primary school subjects | Math, reading, literacy, physical education, music, art, religion, foreign language |
| Secondary school options | Junior high school, secondary school, 'new middle school', higher general secondary school |
| Special education | Special schools, 'integration classes' |
| Vocational options | Intermediate vocational schools, higher vocational schools |
| Higher education options | University, academy, technical university, college |
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What You'll Learn
Kindergarten and primary school
Kindergarten is widely available in Austria for children from the age of three, and it is mandatory for children who have reached the age of five before the 1st of September. Children must attend kindergarten or a children's group for at least 20 hours across at least four days a week. Public kindergarten is free of charge, but there are costs for meals and certain extras, such as extended attendance times or special activities. There are also private kindergartens, which require a customer number from the local authority for registration.
There are two main types of primary school in Austria: public and private. Public schools are free of charge, while private schools charge a monthly tuition fee. The primary school curriculum covers elementary concepts in math, reading, and literacy, and children also attend classes for physical education, music, art, and religion. Once students start their third year, they are required to learn a foreign language. The language of instruction in most primary schools is German, and students are expected to have a good grasp of the language when they begin school. However, there are some exceptions, including schools specifically designated for linguistic minorities and schools that use a modern foreign language as their working language.
The school day typically starts around 8 am and ends around 2 pm, with each class lasting 45 to 50 minutes. Lessons usually finish before lunch, after which pupils can attend after-school care, either on-site or at another school. Class sizes are generally no larger than 25 pupils, and classes for students with special needs are smaller and have teaching assistants.
There are also international primary schools in Austria, which offer a non-German language of instruction and follow British, American, or French curricula. These schools can be beneficial for children who have recently moved to Austria from abroad, as they can continue their education in a similar learning environment to which they are accustomed. However, international schools are very expensive compared to state schools.
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Secondary school options
In Austria, secondary school caters to students aged 10 to 18 and is compulsory until the ninth grade. After primary school, students have the option to enroll in different types of schools, depending on their interests and career goals. There are about 1,200 public secondary schools and 72 private schools supported by the government. There are also international schools, which offer a multicultural environment and an outstanding education.
The two types of public secondary schools are the AHS (Allgemeinbildenden Höheren Schule) and the MS (Mittelschule). The AHS is an academic secondary or grammar school, while the MS is a compulsory secondary school that accepts all students without an assessment of their elementary school performance. Both types of schools cover grades 5 to 8. Starting in grade 9, students can continue with the academic track at the AHS, or they can switch to a vocational program.
The vocational track offers a variety of options. There are intermediate vocational schools (grades 9 to 11 or 12) and higher vocational schools (grades 9 to 13). These schools prepare students for specific professions or occupations and conclude with a technical examination. Students who wish to pursue higher education can take the Matura, the school-leaving examination required for university entrance.
For students whose native language is not German, there are several options available. These include international schools, bilingual programs, and immersive German lessons. Additionally, the Austrian government has invested in providing additional German support classes for students whose language skills are insufficient.
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School fees and costs
School in Austria is free and mandatory for nine years, starting from the age of six. While education is free for all Austrian citizens at state-run schools, there are some costs associated with attending school. These costs can include items such as school supplies, textbooks, and other learning materials. There may also be fees for extracurricular activities, school trips, and other optional activities.
Textbooks are usually provided by the school, but parents may be asked to contribute to the cost of workbooks, exercise books, and other consumable materials. Schools may also request that parents purchase certain items, such as art supplies, sports equipment, or musical instruments, if their child is participating in specific classes or activities.
In addition to the cost of materials, there may be fees associated with extracurricular activities. These activities, which are often optional, can include things like school clubs, sports teams, or music lessons. Schools may also offer field trips or excursions, which can come with a fee to cover transportation, entrance fees, and other costs.
Lunch and transportation are other potential expenses for parents. While some schools may have subsidised or free lunch programmes, others may require students to bring their own lunch from home. Transportation to and from school is typically the responsibility of the parents, and while public transportation is an option in some areas, others may need to consider the cost of fuel or school bus fares.
It is important to note that while these costs may vary depending on the school and the individual student's needs, the Austrian government recognises the importance of education and strives to keep mandatory costs minimal. Financial support is also available for families who may struggle with these additional expenses, including subsidies, grants, or scholarships, depending on the family's income and circumstances.
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School holidays and hours
School in Austria is compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 15. The school year usually begins in September and ends in June. During this period, schools offer a robust curriculum and a range of extracurricular activities to engage students in learning and development.
In terms of school holidays, there are 5 major breaks in the academic calendar: Christmas (December), semester break (February), Easter (March/April), Pentecost (May/June), and the summer holidays (July to August). The long summer holiday, in particular, is a popular time for travel within Austria and around Europe, so families often plan their vacations in advance.
The specific dates of school holidays can vary slightly between Austria's nine states and regions. While the main holidays typically remain consistent, local holidays and requirements can influence small adjustments in schedules. For example, the summer break in one region may start a week earlier or later than in another.
Kindergartens and childcare facilities observe slightly different schedules. Public kindergartens are generally open all year round, except during official holidays, semester breaks, and sometimes a summer break. They may also close on December 24th and 31st. These institutions offer flexible care options, with some providing all-day care and others catering to specific groups, such as babies, toddlers, and young children.
Austria offers a range of childcare options during school holidays, including public and private kindergartens, children's groups, and daycare centres. Families can also explore employee daycare facilities operated by larger institutions and companies for their staff's children. The country's robust social system ensures that parents have access to affordable and quality childcare solutions.
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International schools
Austria has a strong emphasis on education, with a history of compulsory schooling that dates back to 1774. Today, schooling is mandatory for children between the ages of 6 and 15 (grades 1 through 9). The Austrian public school system is free of charge, but the language of instruction is primarily German, which can pose a challenge for expat families. To address this, the country offers several bilingual schools that teach in both English and German, as well as private international schools that follow foreign curricula.
Admission requirements for international schools in Austria can vary as they are generally allowed to set their own entry criteria. Some schools employ priority groups, giving preference to children of officials working for international organisations or children of diplomatic or consular services, regardless of nationality.
For parents considering public education, it is important to note that public schools in Austria offer free education for the compulsory school years. However, parents are responsible for covering costs associated with school outings and teaching materials. Additionally, public schools provide free school books for all subjects, and bilingual children can access books for German as a second language and bilingual dictionaries.
Kindergarten or preschool is also compulsory in Austria, with children aged five and above required to attend for at least 20 hours across four days a week. Public kindergarten options are available at no cost, but there may be small fees for meals and special activities.
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Frequently asked questions
Children in Austria start kindergarten from the age of 5. They start primary school at the age of 6.
Compulsory education in Austria lasts 9 years, from age 6 to 15. After that, young people must continue their education or go into professional training until they are 18.
The curriculum covers basic subjects like reading, writing, and math. It also includes everyday skills like responsibility, tolerance, and respect. From their third year of school, children learn a foreign language.
Yes, about 8% of schools in Austria are private. These include religious schools, Montessori schools, and Waldorf schools.
School starts around 8 a.m. and finishes around 2 p.m. Each class lasts 45 to 50 minutes.
