Programmes
Education system
Austria has a diverse education system with lots of different types of schools.
Austrian children start with kindergarten at the age of three and continue to primary school at the age of six.
After four years of primary schooling they have to decide whether to continue with a lower secondary school or an academic secondary school. Yet again there is a discussion about having a continued common education till the age of 15 (comprehensive schooling). Therefore so called “new secondary schools” are being tested throughout the country as an inclusive model for all 10 to 13 year olds.
Compulsory education ends after 9 years of schooling, usually at age 15.
At the secondary upper level there’s a broad choice of academic, technical and vocational schools. In order to attend college or university or college, you need to pass the A-level examination (the “Matura”).
The chart below gives a good overview on the whole system.
Admission
Admissions The Federal Ministry of Education is responsible for funding and supervising primary, secondary, and (since 2000) also tertiary education. Primary and secondary education is administered on the state level by the authorities of the respective states. Apart from this Austria also has private schools where fees are payed privately.
