The educational system in Austria
Austria has a free and public school system, with nine years of mandatory education. Schools present a series of vocational, technical and university preparatory courses involving up to three additional years of education past the minimum mandatory level. The official foundation for primary and secondary education in Austria is the School Law of 1962. The federal Ministry for Education is in charge for funding and administering primary and secondary education which is overseen on the provincial level by the authorities of the individual provinces.
In Austria, the duration of mandatory education takes from ages six to fifteen. The first years are in primary education (4 years). Secondary education is split with the lower secondary school (4 years), and upper secondary (4 – 5 years). With lower secondary level education there are three choices: Hauptschule (general secondary) and Allgemeinbildende Höhere Schule (academic secondary) which is also separated into Gymnasium (general), Realgymnasim (science-based) and Wirtschaftkundlisches Realgymnasium (Home Economics). Upper secondary education concludes after four or five years. In this portion of the education process, Austria has four types of academic secondary schools: Gymnasium, Realgymnasium, Wirtschaftskundliches Realgymnasium and Oberstufen-Realgymnasium. Vocational secondary education consists of 5 years. With completion of classes the result is the Reifeprüfung/Matura (certificate/diploma) that allows admission to higher education.
Vocational Certificates were introduced in the late 90’s allowing entrance into universities and Fachhochschulen. Apprentices are able to take an exam to gain access to higher education.
The Austrian higher education system is accredited by universities and Fachhochschulen. Universities are financed by the state and remain state institutions. However, universities are allowed to operate their own matters and devise their regulations.