Primary school, secondary modern school, grammar school, commercial academy, technical college and more: anyone familiarising themselves with the Austrian school system will encounter a multitude of educational pathways. Here, you’ll find an overview over what types of schools there are, how long it takes until graduation, and what kind of leaving certificates you get depending on the pathway you’ve chosen.
The Fundamentals of the Austrian School System: School Levels Explained
In total, the Austrian school system comprises 13 different school levels, with the compulsory school years constituting the first nine. This nine-year compulsory schooling typically starts from age seven, and continues until the age of 15. During the first four years, children attend primary school before transferring to lower secondary level – either at a secondary modern school or at a grammar school.
After completing the lower secondary level, pupils can choose to either continue on to a higher school level or complete their final year of compulsory education at a vocational secondary school, a polytechnic school, or as part of an apprenticeship. Those who opt for an upper secondary level education can choose between grammar schools (Allgemeinbildende höhere Schulen – AHS) and vocational higher schools (Berufsbildende höhere Schulen – BHS), which, depending on their specialisation, last four to five years.
| Did you know? Anyone who repeats a year at lower secondary level and thereby has completed nine years of schooling has legally completed the compulsory schooling period. However, since 2017, Austria has introduced additional compulsory education or training until the age of 18. As such, young people have to either continue in secondary education, complete an apprenticeship, or participate in other training programmes – even if they technically have completed compulsory schooling. |
Primary School (Years 1-4)
Primary school forms the entry point into the Austrian school system and comprises the first four school years. Here, children gain fundamental skills in reading, writing and arithmetic, and are also taught in general studies, music and sport. At the end of Year 4, pupils receive a recommendation for their further educational pathway – however, the final decision between secondary modern school and grammar school is made jointly by the parents and their child.
Lower Secondary Level (Years 5-8)
After primary school, pupils transfer to lower secondary level, where they can choose between two school types: secondary modern school and grammar school.
The secondary modern school provides a sound general education with a clear focus on practical application. From Year 6 onwards, the subjects German, mathematics and English are taught at two different levels – the standard level and the standard grammar school level, allowing pupils to receive the type of support that matches their individual strengths.
The lower level of grammar school (AHS) places emphasis on a broad academic education. There is only one uniform level of teaching, with pupils being able to choose different pathways according to their interests, whether languages, natural sciences or music.
However, both school types lead to equivalent qualifications and enable access to all higher secondary schools.
Upper Secondary Level (Years 9-12 or 9-13)
After completing the lower secondary level, various educational pathways are available, ranging from one-year school forms to five-year school forms concluding with the so-called “Matura” or “Reifeprüfung” (Austrian school-leaving certificate).
Grammar Schools (Allgemeinbildende höhere Schulen – AHS)
The AHS upper level comprises four years and concludes with the Matura, the Austrian school-leaving certificate. It provides a broad general education and specifically prepares pupils for studies at university level. The following specialisations are available:
- Grammar school: classical-humanistic, linguistic, humanities-focused
- Grammar school with focus on science: natural sciences and mathematics
- Grammar school with focus on economics: economics and practice-oriented training
- Upper-level grammar school with focus on science: flexible specialisations with compulsory elective subjects
- Special forms: music, sports or English-language grammar schools
Vocational Higher Schools (Berufsbildende höhere Schulen – BHS)
Vocational higher schools last five years and combine general education with practical vocational training. They conclude with the school-leaving and diploma examination, which allows pupils to obtain both the Matura and a professional qualification. As such, graduates can directly go on to a job or choose to continue their studies at university level. There are various school types:
- Commercial high school (Handelsakademie – HAK): commercial and economic education
- Higher Technical Institute (Höhere Technische Lehranstalt – HTL): technical specialisations such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, IT
- Higher Institute for Economic Professions (Höhere Lehranstalt für wirtschaftliche Berufe – HLW): economics, nutrition, hospitality
- Higher Institute for Tourism (Höhere Lehranstalt für wirtschaftliche Berufe – HLT)
- Higher Institute for Fashion (Höhere Lehranstalt für Mode – HLM)
- Higher Institute for Social Professions
- Federal Higher Institute for Agriculture and Forestry (Höhere Bundeslehranstalt für Land- und Forstwirtschaft – HBLA)
Vocational Secondary Schools
Vocational secondary schools (Berufsbildende mittlere Schulen – BMS) last between one to four years, and provide practice-oriented education. Instead of obtaining the Matura, pupils graduate with a professional qualification that allows them to directly enter into employment. If necessary, the Matura can be obtained at a later date through a university entry exam. The various types of BMS include:
- Commercial School (Handelsschule – HAS): basic business management training (usually three years)
- Vocational schools for technology or economics: e.g. horticulture, electrical engineering (usually three to four years)
- Hospitality and hotellerie vocational schools (usually three years)
- Tourism schools (usually three years)
- Schools for fashion and social professions (usually two to three years)
- Vocational schools for agriculture & forestry (usually three to four years)
- School of house economics and domestic sciences (usually one to two years)
- Nursing schools (usually two years)
Polytechnic School
The Polytechnic School (commonly referred to as “PTS” or “Poly”) is a one-year school form that specifically prepares young people for entry into an apprenticeship or a vocational secondary school. Teaching is practice-oriented and offers various specialist areas such as metal, electrical, wood, construction, commerce/management, services or tourism. Through taster days and work placements, pupils gain insights into various occupational fields to help them choose a career path.
Vocational School and Apprenticeships
This dual education combines practical training at the workplace chosen for the apprenticeship with theoretical training at a vocational school. An apprenticeship lasts two to four years depending on the profession, concluding with the final apprenticeship exam. Throughout their professional training, apprentices receive an apprentice’s wage and are covered by social insurance. Vocational school is attended either regularly throughout the year, e.g. one to two days per week, or in blocks. After successful completion, leavers can also go onto higher education by taking their university entrance exam.
The different types of school-leaving qualifications in Austria
The type of qualification pupils acquire depends on the educational pathway they’ve chosen. Here’s an overview of the different types of school-leaving qualifications that can be obtained – and what they mean in the context of further education or employment.
Compulsory School-Leaving Certificate
The compulsory school-leaving certificate is acquired after successful completion of Year 9 – regardless of whether this was completed at a secondary modern school, polytechnic school, lower level secondary school or in the first year at a vocational school. Anyone who fails the compulsory school-leaving certificate can obtain this later on by completing specialist courses.
Apprenticeship Qualification
The apprenticeship qualification is obtained after two- to four-years of dual training by taking the apprenticeship final examination, and allows leavers to practice the profession they’ve been trained in.
School-Leaving Examination (Matura/Reifeprüfung)
The Matura is Austria’s highest school-leaving qualification. It is obtained from a higher secondary school (AHS or BHS) and allows graduates to study at university, universities of applied sciences, and teacher training colleges. It usually consists of written and oral examinations, as well as a pre-scientific paper. However, the Matura can also be acquired through alternative routes and doesn’t necessarily require attending upper secondary level. By taking the university entrance exam, those with an apprenticeship qualification or BMS qualification are also eligible to pursue a higher education.
The Austrian Grading System
Austria uses a five-tier grading system to assess academic performance, which is used uniformly across all school forms. It ranges from very good (1) to not sufficient (5):
1 = very good
2 = good
3 = satisfactory
4 = sufficient (pass)
5 = not sufficient (fail)
The Beginnings of Compulsory Schooling: Maria Theresia’s Ground-Breaking Reform
The modern Austrian school system actually dates back centuries, with the foundations already laid in the 18th century. In 1774, Empress Maria Theresia introduced the first compulsory school education in the Habsburg Monarchy by passing the “General School Regulation”. This reform made it mandatory for all children aged six to twelve to attend school – regardless of social class or background.
Previously, education had largely been reserved for the nobility and wealthy bourgeois families, whilst children from poorer families usually had to help out early on the field or in workshops. However, Maria Theresia recognised that an educated populace forms the foundation for a strong state. Her reform not only provided for compulsory schooling, but also saw the establishment of primary schools in all municipalities, specialised training for teachers, as well as a uniformly defined curriculum.
Unsurprisingly, her school reform is regarded as a milestone in Austria’s educational history, and laid the foundation for the currently implemented education system. The idea of universal, state-organised compulsory schooling continues to shape the Austrian school system to this day – even though the structure, subjects and duration have naturally evolved throughout the centuries.
Want to know more about the people, culture and customs in Austria? On top of a wide range of German language courses for every level, we’ve also got plenty of reading material on our blog: from our guide to Austrian dialect and traditional clothing to Viennese coffee specialties and our best tips for learning German. Happy reading!