Austria’s education system ranks among the world’s top performers and can compete in quality with American standards.
Education here is both a human right and a legal duty. Every person — regardless of origin or faith — is guaranteed access to schooling. All children who live in Austria permanently are subject to nine years of compulsory education, attending school from grade 1 to grade 9 (ages 6 to 15). After this, they may choose to continue with further studies or start vocational training.
Attending public school is free, but private schools charge tuition. Parents may also opt for home education (“Hausunterricht”), which is legally recognized.
Educational levels and pathways:
Primary education:
The first four grades (ages 6–10) are spent in elementary school.
Secondary education:
After primary, students attend either lower secondary (“Hauptschule” / “Neue Mittelschule”) or grammar school (“AHS”) for the next four years. Options after this phase include:
- Four years in upper-level grammar school with “Matura” (final exam)
- Three or four years in middle vocational schools (e.g. business, nursing, agriculture, etc.)
- Five years in higher vocational schools (HTL, HAK, HLW, BAKIP, etc.) with the “Matura”
- One year in polytechnic followed by three years in vocational school as part of an apprenticeship program. In grades nine and, optionally, grades ten and eleven, students receive further career orientation, specialized education, and practical training in their chosen field.
Special schools:
There are dedicated school options for children with disabilities or learning challenges.
Higher education (from age 18/19):
Universities, universities of applied sciences, teacher training colleges, and private universities with specialized or international profiles.
Admission to higher education in Austria is generally open: anyone with a “Matura,” vocational baccalaureate, recognized entrance certificate, or successfully completed entrance exam is eligible to enroll. Foreign diplomas may require an equivalency certificate to confirm eligibility.
For bachelor’s programs at universities of applied sciences, admission can be offered after confirming relevant professional qualifications and passing supplementary exams. Many study paths involve admission, qualification, or selection exams; applicants for arts, sports, and teaching degrees must prove their skills or suitability (e.g. instrumental ability, physical, creative, or professional aptitude).
At public universities, entrance exams apply only for specific subjects (medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, psychology). Teaching degrees and teacher training programs involve multi-stage selection and qualification processes.
Well-known private schools in Vienna:
Vienna International School (VIS): International curriculum from kindergarten through graduation, with a focus on intercultural education and the International Baccalaureate.
American International School Vienna (AIS Vienna): US-based curriculum from kindergarten to grade 12, offering the International Baccalaureate in upper years.
Danube International School Vienna: British national curriculum, International General Certificate of Secondary Education and International Baccalaureate diplomas.
Lycée Français de Vienne: French national curriculum from kindergarten to grade 12, Diplôme national du Brevet, and Baccalauréat diplomas in senior years.
Theresianum: Historic private school founded in 1746 for Empress Maria Theresa, offering programs from primary to grammar school. State-run but provides paid programs.
Amadeus International School Vienna: British curriculum, International General Certificate and International Baccalaureate diplomas from early years to graduation.
