Living & Working in Austria Land area - Arbeitsmarktservice Österreich

After children have successfully completed their first four years of compulsory primary school (Volksschule),
they may either attend the lower level of a main general secondary school (Hauptschule) or
cooperative secondary school (cooperative Mittelschule), the lower level of a secondary academic
school (Unterstuffe der Allgemeinbildenden höheren Schule – AHS ). There are also special schools
for children with mental and/or physical disabilities or special educational needs which cover the first
eight to nine years of schooling. For their ninth year of schooling, children may attend a pre-vocational
course (Polytechnischen Schule), a domestic science college, vocational intermediate school
(weiterführende berufsbildende Schule) as well as the upper level of a secondary academic school
or at the upper level of a secondary grammar school (Oberstufengymnasium). The pre-vocational
course (polytechnische Schule) prepares with vocational placements and professional theory training
for apprenticeships or vocational schools.
Following completion of their ninth year of schooling, young people have the option of professional
training in the form of an apprenticeship, of entering the workforce or of continuing their education at
a secondary school.
An intermediate-level secondary technical respectively vocational school (lasting three to four
respectively five years) entitles a student to exercise an occupation according to the type of school
attended (e.g. commercial, technical schools).
Graduation from an AHS (an academic secondary school) and passing the Matura school-leaving
examination entitles students to enrol in academies, technical colleges, liberal arts colleges and
universities. Tuition fees are to be paid at universities, etc.
However, young people and adults who have not passed the Matura may still be admitted to higher
educational institutions if they successfully pass qualification examinations including the academic
qualification tests (Studienberechtigungsprüfung), the matriculation exam for professionals (Berufsreifeprüfung),
or Matura examinations for external candidates (Externistenmatura).
more details are available at:
http://www.help.gv.at/Content.Node/11/Seite.110000.html
(comprehensive details on the Austrian school system)
http://www.bmukk.gv.at/schulen/bw/index.xml (education in Austria)
http://www.bmukk.gv.at/schulen/schulen/index.xml (online school guide)
http://erwachsenenbildung.at/bildungsinformation/bildungsangebote/zweiter_bildungsweg/
zweiter_bildungsweg.php (academic qualification tests (Studienberechtigungsprüfung), matriculation
exam for professionals (Berufsreifeprüfung), Matura examination for external candidates
(Externisten-Matura))
http://www.bmwf.gv.at/ (Federal Ministry of Science and Research – studying)
addresses:
Burgenland school service
Kernausteig 3
A-7000 Eisenstadt
Tel: +43 26 82 710-152
Internet:
http://www.lsr-bgld.gv.at/abteilungen/
administration/schulservice/index.html
Living & Working in Austria 2008
Carinthia school service
10.-Oktober-Straße 24/entrance in Kaufmanngasse,
PO Box 607,
A-9010 Klagenfurt
Tel: +43,463 58 12-313
Internet:
http://www.bildungsland.at/default.asp?siid=40
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