Post-secondary and university education

What

In Austria, the tertiary education is divided into 4 main institutions that offer different kind of professional qualifications:

  • Post-secondary Vocational Education and Training Courses (Kolleg): it provides a high-level vocational training programme lasting 4 semesters that corresponds to the Upper Level Technical and Vocational Schools. Training programmes are available in: construction, chemistry, engineering, design, electronics, electronic data processing and organisation, information technology, interior design and wood technology, kindergarten education, communications and media design, culture and conference management, art and design, media technology and management, fashion, optometry, social education, tourism and leisure economy, business information technology – digital business. It’s possible to keep studying after finishing the Post-secondary VET courses at University, University of Applied Sciences or University of Teacher Education. It’s also possible to access the apprenticeship examination. If you have already done a professional training (e.g. apprenticeship), you can ask for recognition of those hours of training to reduce the amount of practical hours that you need to do in these study courses.
  • University (Universität): It offers courses in humanities and culture, engineering, arts, training programmes for teachers in higher secondary schools (two teaching subjects), medicine, natural sciences, law, social and economic sciences and theological studies.
    • Diploma studies: Training in science or arts. It lasts between 8 and 12 semesters (one semester comprises 30 ECTS), consisting of 2 or 3 study periods, each ending with an examination. After finishing the studies, the student can apply for a postgraduate degree. This type of studies will be gradually replaced by Bachelor programme.
    • Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes: universities have converted most of the programmes to Bachelor’s courses (3 to 4 years, with 180 to 240 ECTS) and extended Master’s courses (1 to 2 years, with 60 to 120 ECTS). Depending on the department, Master’s programmes are concluded with a Master’s degree or the title of “Graduate Degree in Engineering” (Diplom-Ingenieur/in).
    • Doctoral and PhD studies are based on Diploma or Master’s degree courses at Universities or Universities of Applied Sciences and are intended to develop the ability to work independently and scientifically.

There are certain courses of studies that require an admission exam. That can change depending on the demand of each year. Arts courses always have an admission exam.

  • University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule): It provides scientifically-based vocational education and training with strong occupational orientation (the study programme includes at least a practical training). The areas of study are design/art, engineering, social sciences, economics, military/security studies, natural sciences and health sciences. They offer Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes: universities have converted most of the programmes to Bachelor’s courses (from 3 to 4 years, with 180 to 240 ECTS) and extended Master’s courses (1 to 2 years, with 60 to 120 ECTS). Depending on the department, Master’s programmes are concluded with a Master’s degree or the title of “Graduate Degree in Engineering” (Diplom-Ingenieur/in). In certain subjects, predominantly in the field of social work and healthcare, those who successfully complete the programme are also authorised to practice in the corresponding profession (e.g. social worker, physiotherapist). Depending on the specialist area involved, Master’s degree programmes conclude with a Master’s degree (“Master in …” or “Diplom-Ingenieur/in”) degree. People with professional qualifications/experience on the programs can study at the University of Applied Sciences, even if they haven’t completed the General Higher Education Entrances Examination (Reifeprüfung; see “final exams”). In this case, they might need to pass additional exams.
  • University of Teacher Education (Pädagogische Hochschule): The students will become teachers of primary or secondary education after completed studies. Upon successful completion they obtain a teaching certificate. The length of the study is 4 years for the Bachelor’s degree and 1 or 1.5 years for the Master’s degree. The basic structure of the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees is standardized. The students are divided into groups according the age of the children they will teach (primary or secondary education) and specialization chosen.
  • The new curriculum includes lectures on the fundamentals of general educational studies, on elementary and primary education and methods, or in fields of study, which correspond to teaching subjects or departments. Moreover, it’s possible to focus on different areas such as inclusive education, special and curative education, social education, career guidance, multilingualism or media education.

Good to know

The teachers of primary and secondary school can participate in additional training courses and programs to keep improving their professional development.