The Austrian education system

AP = Abschlussprüfung (Final examination) G+K = Allgemeine Gesundheits- und Krankenpflegeschule PhD course (School for general healthcare and nursing) ISCED 6 LAP = Lehrabschlussprüfung (Apprenticeship-leave examination)

Master Master degree degree course course Bachelor Bachelor Bachelor degree course 16 15 degree degree Postsecon- Postsecon- course course University colleges of dary VET dary VET colleges 19 18 education course University Fachhochschule 17 ISCED 5B ISCED 5B ISCED 5A ISCED 5A ISCED 5B

20 Building craftsperson school, foreperson course ISCED 5B

10 Reifeprüfung or Berufsreife- diploma examination prüfung Add-on course 11 ISCED 4A

12 Bridging course

19 Diploma LAP Reifeprüfung and diploma examination 13 examina- tion * 18 AP LAP 9 Reifeprüfung examination 13 7 12 G+K 14 VET college Apprenticeship

17 LAP Secondary academic (BHS) 8 AP training 11 school – VET school ISCED 4B (company and 16 upper cycle (BMS) vocational school)

10 (AHS-Oberstufe) ISCED 3B 15 Prevocational school 9 ISCED 3A ISCED 4A ISCED 3B 6 ISCED 3C 14 8 13 5 3 Secondary academic school – 4 Special needs 7 lower cycle Lower secondary school school 12 (AHS-Unterstufe) 6 11 ISCED 2 ISCED 2 ISCED 2 5 10

4 3 9 2 Special needs

3 Primary school school

8 ISCED 1 2 ISCED 1 7 Pre-primary education 1 ISCED 0

Year 6 1 Nursery school Age ISCED 0

Primary and secondary level I VET Programme General education programme The Austrian the upper secondary level and for working examination (Lehrabschlussprüfung). education system life. The lower cycle of AHS aims to impart Young people with special educational a broad and advanced general education. needs, disabilities or disadvantaged In Austria, children aged three and over can It is offered in three branches with different youths have the possibility to attend an attend a nursery school (Kindergarten) (1) focuses: as classical secondary academic integrative VET programme (integrative [ISCED 0] voluntarily. As soon as they are school (klassisches Gymnasium) with Berufsausbildung). By training in partial five years old they must attend nursery Latin and as secondary academic school qualifications which the apprentices agree school in a half-day form. Kindergarten is (Realgymnasium) specialising in sciences on with their company it is possible to not part of the school system, however. or economics. In the 2008/2009 school meet the special needs of these young year the pilot project new secondary people. Integrative VET is supervised and In Austria compulsory schooling starts at school (Neue Mittelschule) [ISCED 2] was supported by vocational training assistants. the age of six and lasts for nine years. One launched at lower secondary level. This nursery or school year lasts for ten months is a school for all 10-to-14-year-olds. The Another VET form of upper secondary level (from September to June). There are curricula of a Realgymnasium at the lower is VET school (berufsbildende mittlere private and state schools; in state schools, cycle of AHS are valid for new secondary Schule or BMS) (8) [ISCED 3B]. It aims to no tuition fees are charged. The Austrian schools. It is planned to introduce this impart to students the fundamental subject- school system provides for a variety of scheme as a permanent school form as of specific skills that enable graduates to education and training options which are 2016. exercise their occupation immediately upon designed to meet the needs and interests its completion and also aims to expand their of children and their parents. Upper secondary level general education. VET schools mostly last For the majority of Austrian schoolchildren between three and four years, but there are Primary level the first school year at upper secondary level also one-year and two-year forms. In Austria every child‘s education starts with is the final year of compulsory schooling four years at primary school (Volksschule) at the same time. Then they can decide Schools for general healthcare and nursing (2) [ISCED 1]*. Pre-primary education between a vocational (VET) and a general (Schulen für allgemeine Gesundheits- und [ISCED 0] is provided for children who education pathway. VET programmes Krankenpflege) (9) [ISCED 4B] cannot be have reached compulsory school age (i.e. are provided within the framework of started before successful completion of the at the age of six) but are not yet mature apprenticeship training (dual system), at tenth year of schooling. Training is provided enough for school (e.g. because they have VET schools (BMSs) and VET colleges within the dual system, with practical difficulties following instruction). (BHSs). General education is imparted training at a hospital and theoretical at the upper cycle of AHS. Depending on education at school. They are completed Children with special educational needs their interests and inclinations there is with a diploma examination. can attend either a special needs school the choice between a classical, business, (Sonderschule) (3) [ISCED 1] that is science, musical and artistic, or language Since 1997, graduates of apprenticeship tailored to their needs or primary school focus. Some 80% of schoolchildren opt for training, of three- and four-year VET schools classes that are run in an integrative a VET programme after completing lower and of schools of healthcare and nursing (inclusive) scheme. Primary schools secondary level. have had the possibility to take the so-called and special needs schools impart Berufsreifeprüfung (10) examination. It comprehensive general education to all VET programmes comprises four partial exams (German, pupils with the objective of fostering their Young people who want to attend a VET mathematics, a modern foreign language social, emotional, intellectual and physical programme in the dual system after lower and occupation-related specialist area) skills and abilities. Classes for children with secondary level are obliged to complete and entitles students to transfer to any special educational needs additionally take their ninth year of compulsory schooling post-secondary or tertiary establishment the children’s individual disabilities into first. This is in most cases done at a one-year (higher education entrance qualification). account. pre-vocational school (Polytechnische Another way to obtain the higher education Schule) (6) [ISCED 3C]. Due to the variety entrance qualification is by acquiring the Lower secondary level of subjects, company visits and practical Studienberechtigungsprüfung certificate. The first differentiation of the school system days at training workshops provided at It qualifies holders to study only one specific is at the beginning of lower secondary pre-vocational school, students are offered specialist area, however. Another way to level. Schoolchildren have a choice tailored guidance for their future career obtain the access requirements for the post- between two types of school that last decision. Subsequent apprenticeship secondary and tertiary sector is to complete for four years each: these are the lower training (Lehrlingsausbildung) is provided an add-on course (Aufbaulehrgang) (11) secondary school (Hauptschule) (4) and both at the training enterprise (Lehrbetrieb) [ISCED 4A]. Particular groups of people the lower cycle of secondary academic (practical training, which makes up some have to attend a preparatory or bridging school (allgemein bildende höhere Schule 80% of the training period) and part-time course (Vorbereitungslehrgang) (12) or AHS - Unterstufe) (5) [both ISCED 2]. vocational school (Berufsschule) (7) before entering this educational track. Schoolchildren with special educational [ISCED 3B]. It is the task of these vocational Graduates of add-on courses are awarded needs can continue attending special schools to expand the trainees’ general a Reifeprüfung or diploma certificate. needs school [ISCED 2] from the fifth to the education and complement the specialist eighth year. Afterwards they can choose knowledge and skills they are taught in Apart from apprenticeship training and from among intermediate and higher school the training enterprises. Depending on the vocational programmes provided by VET levels depending on their inclinations apprenticeship, training lasts between two schools, students who have completed and talents. Lower secondary schools and four years, but mostly three years. At lower secondary level also have access provide schoolchildren with basic general the end of the training, every apprentice to a VET college (berufsbildende höhere education, preparing them for transfer to can take an apprenticeship-leave Schule or BHS) (13) [ISCED 4A], which ibw provides higher vocational qualifications Fachhochschulen have provided tertiary Expertin” (Academic Expert), “MSc”, in different specialisations (e.g. tourism, programmes for specific advanced-level “MBA”, “MA”, “LL.M” or “M.A.I.S”. mechanical engineering, electrical medical professions, which is leading to a engineering, etc.) and well-founded general reduction in the number of post-secondary People over the age of 18 who have education. VET colleges last for five years VET colleges and schools for general successfully passed the apprenticeship- and are completed with the Reifeprüfung healthcare and nursing. University leave exam as well as BMS graduates and diploma examination. Students thus colleges of education (Pädagogische can deepen their theoretical specialist acquire professional qualifications and Hochschulen) (17) [ISCED 5B] train education at building craftsperson the general higher education entrance compulsory school teachers in a three- schools (Bauhandwerkerschulen) and qualification (double qualification). year bachelor course. On the basis of foreperson courses (Werkmeisterschulen) this qualification it is possible - depending (20) [ISCED 5B]. They last for one to two General education programmes on the chosen subject and credit years and are completed with a final A general education is provided to students modalities - to take up a master study at a examination. by the upper cycle of secondary academic Fachhochschule or university. school (allgemein bildende höhere Schule Continuing education and or AHS – Oberstufe) (14) [ISCED 3A]. At the tertiary level it is possible to enrol training – lifelong learning These schools mainly prepare students for in three-year bachelor and then in at People who have completed an initial university-based education programmes. least two-year master programmes at vocational training (IVET) pathway at They last for four years and are completed Fachhochschulen (18) [ISCED 5A] and the upper secondary, post-secondary or with the Reifeprüfung examination. universities (Universitäten) (19) [ISCED tertiary level and start another stage in Graduates acquire the general higher 5A]. At both institutions, students may also their education are usually in continuing education entrance qualification. enrol in diploma studies. Graduates of a vocational education and training (CVET) master course or a diploma study are entitled programmes. Participants in these CVET Post-secondary and tertiary level to enrol in doctoral studies at universities programmes are usually over the age of Successful completion of AHS or BHS as [ISCED 6]. In addition, universities, twenty. The Austrian CVET landscape well as passing the Berufsreifeprüfung Fachhochschulen and university is characterised by a high degree of or Studienberechtigungsprüfung exams colleges of education offer (university- institutional diversity (schools and HE provides students with higher education based) CVET programmes [ISCED 5A establishments, educational institutions entrance qualifications and hence access and 5B] as post-graduate continuing of the social partners, non-profit CVET to the following education routes: post- training programmes or opportunities institutions, private providers, etc.) and an secondary VET colleges (Akademien) for specialisation for graduates. The associated wide range of courses. (15) [ISCED 5B], which qualify graduates required access qualification is either a * ISCED = Internationale Standardklassifikation im Bildungswe- sen. Da die Bildungssysteme der verschiedenen Länder oft un- to exercise specific activities in the social completed study at one of the mentioned terschiedlich aufgebaut sind, erleichtert die Angabe von ISCED services and healthcare sector, and post- institutions or the general higher education deren inhaltlichen Vergleich. ISCED fördert das transnationale Verständnis von Bildungsgängen und Anerkennungsmöglich- secondary VET courses (Kollegs) (16) entrance qualification in conjunction with keiten. Eine Übersicht beziehungsweise detaillierte Erklärung [ISCED 5B], which are mainly oriented several years of professional experience. aller ISCED-Levels bietet das OECD-Dokument Classifying Ed- ucational Programmes. Manual for ISCED-97 Implementation in towards AHS graduates who want to Graduates are awarded the degree OECD Countries (1999). obtain BHS qualifications. For some years “Akademischer Experte/Akademische

Bibliography Schneeberger, Arthur and Nowak, Sabine (2010): Lehrlingsausbildung im Überblick. Strukturdaten, Trends und Perspektiven (Edition 2010) [A Survey of Apprenticeship Training. Structural Data, Trends and Prospects (2010 Edition)]. ibw research report no. 158, Vienna. Tritscher-Archan, Sabine und Nowak, Sabine (2010): Berufliche Erstausbildung - Abschlussquoten im postsekundären und tertiären Bereich [Initial Vocational Training - Graduation Rates in the Post-Secondary and Tertiary Sectors]: www.refernet.at/index.php/berufsbildung-in-oesterreich/statistiken from 29 March 2011

ibw Facts and figures about education

Attractiveness of the VET sector Tab. 1: Distribution of students at grade 10 by school type (2008/09)** Vocational education and training is extremely important in Austria: Some 80% of young people in their tenth school year 20 % sign up to a VET programme. 25 % Source: Schneeberger/Nowak 2010 Apprenticeship training (company and vocational school) 41 % VET school 13 % VET college Secondary academic school

High importance Tab. 2: Formal qualification structure of workforce (2009)** of apprenticeship training 25 % 2 Apprenticeship training is highly valued as 6 % a VET path: 40% of the Austrian workforce % 10 % 12 % boast an apprenticeship diploma as their Compulsory school highest educational attainment. 16% Apprenticeship training (company and vocational school) 14 % VET school Source: Schneeberger/Nowak 2010 VET college 40 % Secondary academic school Post-secondary VET college University

High post-secondary and tertiary Tab. 3: Graduation rates in the post-secondary and tertiary sectors (2007) graduation rates With its post-secondary and tertiary Ireland 68,7 % graduation rates, Austria is clearly above Czech Republic 62,2 % the EU-19 country mean and the OECD Switzerland 60,3 % average. Denmark 59,2 % United Kingdom 54 % Source: Tritscher-Archan/Nowak 2010 Austria 53,4 % Germany 52,1 % OECD average 51,9 % Poland 49,1 % EU19 average 49,1 % Portugal 48,7 % Finland 48,6 % Slovenia 48 % Spain 46,4 % Norway 45,5 % Sweden 45,3 % Netherlands 42,8 % Slovak Republic 42,6 % Italy 35 % **Values rounded up to full figures. Hungary 33,3 % Greece 29,8 % Turkey 12,1 %

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Imprint

© Institut für Bildungsforschung der Wirtschaft, Rainergasse 38, 1050 Wien Funded by: Editors: Mag. Silvia Weiß, Mag. Sabine Tritscher-Archan Artwork and layout: Andrea Groll Translation: AHA Translation Office, Lange Gasse 11, A 1080 Vienna 4th edition, June 2011