2010-09-06 YURA_SWOT- PP4 - EU-Regionalmanagement ...

3 Characterisation of the education infrastructure
Types of school
14
- Compulsory education (9 years)
o Volksschule (VS)
The Volksschule is the primary school in Austria. Children start at the age of 6 and attend
primary school for 4 years.
o Hauptschule (HS)
The Hauptschule is a kind of secondary school and is attended for 4 years after primary
school.
o Polytechnikum
After secondary school, pupils either decide to attend some higher schools or attend the
Polytechnikum for one year. This school type serves as a vocational preparation. Having finished
this school, the teenagers fulfilled their compulsory education and may start a professional
training.
- Higher (secondary) education
o AHS (Allgemeine höher bildende Schule)
The AHS is the Austrian type of grammar school and serves as a preparation for university.
In Austria there are several types of AHS. Pupils either attend the AHS for 8 years (4 years
instead of the Hauptschule) or 4 years after the Hauptschule. This school type is less vocationally
oriented. Passing the final examinations (A-levels) the graduation allows the pupils
to matriculate at any university or “Fachhochschule” (FH).
o BHS (Berufsbildende höhere Schule)
This type of school also offers the A-levels in order to attend any university and additionally
provides professional education, therefore this school type requires five years. There are
three types of BHS in Austria: The technically oriented HTL (Höhere technische Lehranstalt),
the economically oriented HAK (Handelsakademie) and the HBLA (Höhere Bundeslehranstalt).
HBLAs offer different specializations, but mostly focus on economics, tourism or agricultural
areas. Most BHS offer 2-year advanced training courses for AHS alumni to graduate
at a BHS as well to gain a professional education.
o BMS (Berufsbildende mittlere Schulen, Fachschulen)
This type of school lasts for three years, starting after the Hauptschule. It offers professional
education but no A-Levels. It mostly focuses on professional education in the area of
agriculture, economy, silviculture and viticulture. Mostly the HAKs also have a three year
lasting program, the HAS (Handelschule). The contents are similar to a HAK but it is also a
BMS.