School System

Most schools in Austria are state-run, but there are also some private (confessional, mostly Catholic) schools. Most private schools have the same legal status as state schools.

 

Primary education: 4 years from age 6-10

• primary schools
• special schools

Secondary education I: 4 years from age 10-14

• regular secondary schools
• secondary academic schools (lower school)
• special education: special schools and integrated instruction – upper school

There is currently a political debate about the introduction of one school for all 10 to 14 year-olds (“Neue Mittelschule”). This school has been implemented in some areas as a pilot scheme.

Secondary education II: 4/5 years from age 14-19

• secondary academic schools (upper school) ­– “AHS”
• higher-level technical and vocational schools (incl. the general qualification for university entrance – “Matura”) – “BHS”
• medium-level technical and vocational schools (without the general qualification for university entrance – “Matura”) – “BMS”
• part-time vocational schools for apprentices
• polytechnic (pre-vocational) schools (one year only)
• advanced training courses
• educational institutions for nurses
• education and training for health professions

The school-leaving examination (“Matura”) is taken after 12-13 years of schooling. It consists of written exams in 3 to 4 subjects as well as oral exams in 3 to 4 subjects. Alternatively, a so-called “Fachbereichsarbeit” (a dissertation specialising in a particular topic) can be written. This paper replaces one written exam and must be written in the last school year. The exam questions are compiled individually by each teacher. A centralised exam is currently the subject of political debate. Music can be chosen as a subject for the oral exams.

In secondary schools with a particular focus on music and in special curricula for music there are written tests (“Schularbeiten”) in music as well as a written exam as part of the final examinations. In a special type of upper school for music (“Oberstufenrealgymnasium – ORG”) instrumental music (as a compulsory subject with 2 lessons per week for 4 years) in combination with music can be chosen for the oral exams (compulsory and graded practical).