Damon Mcknight
Austria's education system ranks 6th among 63 countries worldwide for talent competitiveness, according to the 2020 Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Talent Report. The Austrian education system is known for its high quality, with the government investing heavily in its schools. In this system, school attendance is mandatory for nine years, including one year of preschool, four years of primary school, and four years of lower secondary school. After this, students can pursue apprenticeships, vocational training, or higher education. The country also offers many educational opportunities for pupils whose native language is not German, including international schools, bilingual programs, and immersive German lessons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Compulsory education | 9 years |
| Age range | 6 to 15 years |
| Primary education | 4 years |
| Secondary education | 5 years |
| Types of schools | Public, private, polytechnic, vocational, grammar, comprehensive middle |
| School fees | Free |
| Languages taught | German, English |
| Number of schools | 6,800 |
| Number of teachers | 120,000 |
| Number of universities | 70 |
| Number of students in universities | 387,800 |
| Ranking in talent competitiveness | 6th out of 63 countries |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's education system ranks 6th in the world for talent competitiveness
Austria's strong performance in talent competitiveness can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the Austrian government has consistently invested significantly in its education system and professional development, ranking among the highest-investing countries in the OECD. This commitment to education is reflected in the country's history, particularly after World War II, when Austria sought to transform higher education from an entitlement of the upper classes to a more equitable system accessible to all social strata.
The Austrian education system is centralised and highly structured. Compulsory education in Austria lasts nine years, including one year of preschool, four years of primary school, and four years of lower secondary school. Students can then choose to pursue various paths, including apprenticeships, vocational training, or academic studies at institutions of higher education. The country also offers a range of educational opportunities for students whose native language is not German, including international schools, bilingual programmes, and immersive German courses.
Austria's secondary education system has traditionally been "two-track," with students attending either a middle school (Hauptschule) or a university-preparatory track at higher schools of general education (Allgemeinbildende Höhere Schulen, AHS). However, there have been recent efforts to reform this system, combining the Hauptschule and the first four years of AHS into a comprehensive middle school. As of 2007, this change has only been implemented in a few experimental schools, with some political parties expressing concern that it could dilute the quality of secondary education.
Austria also has a well-established vocational education system, with many vocational secondary schools (Berufsbildende höhere Schule, BHS) offering programmes in various fields. BHS combines vocational training with university entrance qualifications, providing direct access to certain professions or further education. Additionally, Austria has seen an increasing number of pupils, with approximately 106,000 foreign university students enrolled annually, contributing to the diversity and talent within the education system.
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The country has a free and public school system
The Republic of Austria has a free and public school system, and nine years of education are mandatory throughout the nation from the ages of six to fifteen. The federal government oversees education in the country. A major reform of the school administrative structure was initiated in 1970, leading to an "educational revolution" with free access to many avenues of basic, advanced, and vocational instruction for everyone. The School Act of 1962 forms the legal basis for primary and secondary education in Austria.
Compulsory schooling in Austria consists of four years of elementary school and five years of secondary school. The first four years of schooling are completed at primary schools called Volksschule or Grundschule. Children aged ten and above can attend a junior high school or a secondary school called Hauptschule or Cooperative Mittelschule. Once children enter the ninth grade at the ages of fourteen or fifteen, they will attend a polytechnic school called a Polytechnische Schule, which will prepare them for vocational orientation, an apprenticeship, or further schooling.
After completing the mandatory nine years of schooling, students can continue their education in several ways. They can pursue apprenticeships, which last between three and four years, and then take a final apprenticeship examination (Lehrabschlussprüfung). Alternatively, they can attend a vocational secondary school called "Berufsbildende höhere Schule" (BHS) or an academic Gymnasium, which is a secondary school leading to university. Austria also has many universities and fine arts colleges, including the University of Vienna, the University of Graz, and the universities of Innsbruck and Salzburg.
The Austrian education system ranks 6th among 63 countries worldwide for talent competitiveness, according to the 2020 Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Talent Report. The report also ranks Austria highly in prioritizing employee training and implementing apprenticeships. The Austrian government's strong investment in its education system and professional development contributes to the high-quality education provided in the country.
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The Catholic Church used to be responsible for education in Austria
Education in Austria has undergone significant changes over the years, reflecting the country's evolving social landscape. Before 1774, the Catholic Church was the primary provider of education in Austria. Under the rule of the Habsburg Monarchs Maria Theresa and Joseph II, priests assumed the role of educators and were recognised as civil servants. They were tasked with promoting modern religious views, encompassing tolerance, morality, ethics, agriculture, hygiene, medical improvements, and civic virtues.
During this period, the Catholic Church's involvement in education was extensive. They established and operated schools, with priests taking on the dual role of spiritual and academic guides for their students. The Church's curriculum likely emphasised religious instruction and instilled values aligned with Catholic doctrine. However, with the rise of parliamentary government and the enactment of new laws, the role of the Church in education began to change.
The Fundamental Law of the State (1867) ushered in a more liberal era, and the May Laws (1868) placed marriages and education firmly under state control. This marked a shift away from the Church's dominance in the education system. While the Church's direct involvement in day-to-day schooling diminished, its influence persisted. Religious education remained an obligatory subject in schools, and the Church continued to exert influence over the curriculum and teacher appointments.
In the 20th century, Austria's education system underwent further transformations. After World War II, there was a push to make higher education more accessible to all social classes, moving away from its exclusive entitlement to the upper classes. The School Act of 1962 established a "`two-track` system", offering both a compulsory secondary level and an academic track for university preparation.
Today, Austria's education system is characterised by a mix of public and private schools, with the Roman Catholic Church still maintaining a presence. Religious education remains a mandatory subject in schools, and the Church operates approximately 10% of the country's schools and teacher training institutions. However, the influence of the Church has been gradually decreasing, with an increasing number of Austrians opting to leave the Church and secularisation impacting the proportion of Catholics in the country.
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There are 70 universities in Austria
Education in Austria is mandatory for nine years for pupils, which includes four years of elementary school and five years of secondary school. After this, students can either take up an apprenticeship or complete a degree. Austria has a diverse range of higher education institutions, including 70 universities spread across the country. These universities offer a wide range of subjects and specialisations.
The higher education system in Austria includes federal universities (Universitäten), private universities (Privatuniversitäten), and universities of applied science (Fachhochschulen). The majority of students attend one of the 22 or 23 public universities, while around 17% pursue studies at 21 universities of applied sciences, 9% at university colleges of teacher education, and 4% at 16 private universities. These private universities have become more common in recent years, as there was previously no tradition of private university education in the country.
University colleges of teacher education have seen a 30% increase in enrolment over the last decade, with women making up 77% of the students. Public universities also have a majority of women, at 54%, while universities of applied sciences have a near-equal gender ratio, with 51% women. The universities of applied sciences are particularly popular for business and engineering programs, while private universities focus on medical science, arts, economics, and social sciences.
Austrian universities offer a range of different study programs, with the traditional "Diploma" or "Diplomstudium" being replaced by bachelor's and master's degrees. However, some universities still offer Diplomstudium programs in fields such as medicine and law. Additionally, Austria provides many educational opportunities for students whose native language is not German, including international schools, bilingual programs, and immersive German lessons.
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English is the first foreign language learned by Austrian students
Education in Austria is compulsory for nine years, consisting of four years of elementary school and five years of secondary school. German is the official language of Austria and is used in schools, the media, and formal announcements. It is the first language for over 93% of Austrians, and nearly all Austrians can speak it. However, Austria is home to many other languages, including several minority languages with official status, such as Hungarian, Slovenian, Burgenland-Croatian, Czech, Slovak, and Roma.
Given the prevalence of German in the country, it is likely that Austrian students learn German as their first language. English is the second most commonly spoken language in Austria, with approximately 40% of the population speaking it. While it is not the first language for most Austrians, English is still an important part of the country's linguistic landscape.
English is widely taught in Austrian schools, and there are even bilingual schools that offer instruction in both German and English. The British Council, for example, offers a Language Assistants Program that sends English Language Assistants to teach English in Austrian secondary schools. This indicates that English is likely to be a foreign language that Austrian students start learning at a young age, as part of their basic education.
The Austrian education system offers a range of educational opportunities for pupils whose native language is not German, including international schools, bilingual programs, and immersive German lessons. This suggests that English could be one of the foreign languages offered in schools, allowing students to develop proficiency in multiple languages from a young age.
While I cannot confirm that English is the first foreign language learned by Austrian students, it is safe to assume that it is an important part of their language education, given its prevalence as the second-most spoken language in the country and the existence of dedicated English language programs in schools.
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Frequently asked questions
In Austria, school attendance is compulsory for nine years, including one year of preschool, four years of primary school, and four years of lower secondary school. After this, students can continue to an academic or vocational track. Austria's education system ranks 6th among 63 countries worldwide for talent competitiveness, and the country has a strong culture of lifelong learning.
Primary school in Austria is called Volksschule or Grundschule. From the age of ten, children can attend a junior high school or a secondary school called Hauptschule or Mittelschule. Secondary school lasts for five years, from ages 10 to 15.
After secondary school, students can choose either a vocation or academic track. The academic track prepares students for university, while the vocational track focuses on practical life skills and preparation for an apprenticeship. There are over 2,700 secondary schools in Austria, and 70 universities, including 58 public and 12 private universities.
Austria has a free and public school system, and the government has prioritised equal access to education. The country also offers many educational opportunities for pupils whose native language is not German, including international schools, bilingual programs, and immersive German lessons.
