Education

Education in Austria

Austria offers high-quality, affordable education from kindergarten through university. The system is comprehensive, with both academic and vocational pathways.

University Education

Tuition fees:

• EU/EEA students: €24.70/semester (ÖH-Beitrag only)
• Non-EU students: €726.72/semester (~€1,453/year)
• Exceeding standard duration (2+ semesters): €363.36/semester (EU/EEA)
• Private universities: €5,000-20,000+/year

Top universities:

• University of Vienna (Universität Wien) — largest, founded 1365
• TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) — engineering, IT
• University of Graz — second-largest
• Medical University of Vienna — world-class medical research
• University of Innsbruck — strong sciences
• WU Vienna (Wirtschaftsuniversität) — business, economics

Language of instruction:

• Bachelor's: Mostly German (C1 typically required)
• Master's: Many English-taught programs (especially at WU, TU Wien)
• PhD: Often English

Admission:

• Austrian Matura equivalent required
• Some programs have entrance exams (Aufnahmetest)
• Medicine: MedAT (highly competitive)
• No centralized application — apply directly to universities

K-12 Education System

Structure:

• Volksschule (Primary): Grades 1-4 (ages 6-10)
• Secondary (Grades 5-8):
• Gymnasium/AHS (academic track)
• Mittelschule/NMS (general secondary)
• Upper Secondary (Grades 9-12/13):
• AHS Oberstufe (academic, leads to Matura)
• BHS (vocational higher schools: HTL, HAK, HLW)
• Polytechnische Schule (pre-apprenticeship)

Key features:

• Free (public schools)
• High quality internationally
• Tracking from age 10 (academic vs general)
• Half-day common for younger students
• Afternoon care (Nachmittagsbetreuung) available

For Expat Children

Integration support:

• German language support classes
• Transition year programs
• Children adapt quickly (often fluent in 1-2 years)

International schools (Vienna):

• Vienna International School (VIS) — IB curriculum
• American International School Vienna (AISV)
• Danube International School
• Lycée Français de Vienne
• Cost: €8,000-25,000/year

Kindergarten (Kindergarten)

Availability:

• Mandatory final year before school (age 5-6)
• Earlier years: Voluntary, ages 3-5
• Vienna: Free for half-day care (20 hours/week)
• Other provinces: Varies, often subsidized

Waitlists: Can be long in popular areas — apply early

Dual Education (Apprenticeship — Lehre)

Austrian specialty:

• Combines work + vocational school
• 2-4 years depending on profession
• Earn while learning (€600-1,200/month)
• Over 200 recognized apprenticeship professions
• Highly respected career path

Adult Education

Volkshochschule (VHS):

• Community education centers
• Affordable courses (€50-300)
• Languages, professional skills, hobbies
• Integration courses

WIFI (Wirtschaftsförderungsinstitut):

• Chamber of Commerce training institute
• Professional certification courses
• Higher-quality vocational training

BFI (Berufsförderungsinstitut):

• Workers' Chamber training
• Professional development
• Often subsidized