Austria’s School System: Volksschule, Mittelschule, AHS, BHS and More

If you move to Austria with children, you will quickly encounter abbreviations such as AHS, BHS, BMS and PTS. This guide explains what the main school types are for, when students can enter them and what options they offer afterwards. It summarises the system as it stands in 2026.

How the Austrian school system is organised

Austria counts school years as Schulstufen. These numbers continue across the different types of school. Schools also number their own classes separately, starting again at one. For example, the first class of an AHS corresponds to the 5th school year.

Compulsory schools (Pflichtschule) include the Volksschule, Mittelschule, special-needs education and inclusive teaching (Sonderschule bzw. inklusiver Unterricht), as well as the Polytechnische Schule.

Main school types at a glance

• AHS: school years 5 to 12; eight years in total. The Oberstufenrealgymnasium lasts four years.
• Polytechnische Schule: school year 9; one year.
• BMS: school years 9 to 12; one to four years.
• BHS: school years 9 to 13; five years.
• Berufsschule: from school year 10; two to four years.

After Volksschule: Mittelschule or AHS?

After completing the fourth class of the Volksschule, students generally continue either in the first class of a Mittelschule or in the first class of an academic secondary school, the allgemeinbildende höhere Schule (AHS).

A student can enter the first class of an AHS if they:

• have successfully completed the fourth class of the Volksschule and received “Sehr gut” (1) or “Gut” (2) in German and mathematics;
• received “Befriedigend” (3) in these subjects, but the Volksschule teaching staff (Schulkonferenz) considers that their overall performance indicates they are likely to meet AHS requirements; or
• pass an entrance examination (Aufnahmsprüfung).

It is also possible to move from a Mittelschule to an AHS later. After the first class, students need at least “Gut” in German, a modern foreign language and mathematics. After the second or third class, they need at least “Gut” in these subjects at the basic level (Standard), or a positive assessment at the higher level (Standard AHS). If the requirements are not met, an entrance examination is required in the relevant subject.

What to know about the AHS

The AHS is designed to provide broad general education and prepare students for university-level study. It has two sections:

• Unterstufe: school years 5 to 8.
• Oberstufe: school years 9 to 12.

The curriculum is the same across the different AHS forms during the first two classes. From the third class, the profiles diverge:

• Gymnasium: Latin or a second modern foreign language.
• Realgymnasium: technical drawing, more mathematics, and technology and design lessons.
• Wirtschaftskundliches Realgymnasium: more chemistry, geography and economic studies, as well as technology and design.

There is also a four-year form, the Oberstufenrealgymnasium, which students can enter after the 8th school year. Schools may develop their own profiles, for example in information technology or ecology.

The AHS final examination (Reifeprüfung, AHS-Matura) provides access to universities, universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschule), teacher education colleges and academies. Some degree programmes may require an additional examination.

Polytechnische Schule: one year for career orientation

The Polytechnische Schule follows the 8th school year and covers one year, school year 9, usually at the age of 14 or 15. Eight completed school years are required.

Alongside general education, students receive career guidance. They choose an area such as construction, electrical engineering, wood, metal, commerce and office work, health, beauty and social services, or tourism. Company visits and trial work experience (Schnupperlehre) help them learn about different occupations.

After successfully completing the year, a student may enter the first class of a BHS without an entrance examination, move to the second class of a BMS in the same specialisation, or begin working or vocational training.

BMS and BHS: vocational secondary schools

Berufsbildende mittlere Schule (BMS)

A Berufsbildende mittlere Schule (BMS) lasts one to four years. The one- and two-year forms provide partial vocational training. The three- and four-year forms end with a final examination and provide full vocational qualifications.

Examples include the three-year Handelsschule, hotel and catering schools, and technical vocational schools. Afterwards, students may take the Berufsreifeprüfung or complete a six-semester advanced programme (Aufbaulehrgang).

Berufsbildende höhere Schule (BHS)

A Berufsbildende höhere Schule (BHS) lasts five years and covers school years 9 to 13, usually from ages 14 to 19. It provides two qualifications: the Reifeprüfung, which allows access to university, and the Diplomprüfung, which can support direct entry into employment and access to regulated professions.

BHS options include the technical HTL, the commercial academy (Handelsakademie, HAK), tourism and agricultural vocational schools, and the Bildungsanstalt für Elementarpädagogik, which trains early childhood educators.

Both BMS and BHS require successful completion of the 8th school year. An entrance examination is required for sports or arts profiles and, among BHS schools, for teacher-training institutions.

Vocational training: Berufsschule

Anyone who signs an apprenticeship contract (Lehrvertrag) must attend a Berufsschule. Approximately 80% of the training takes place at the company and 20% at school. Depending on the occupation, training lasts two to four years and is currently available in more than 200 occupations.

A Berufsschule may operate throughout the year, with at least one full day or two half-days per week; in course-based form, with at least eight consecutive weeks per year; or seasonally.

During their apprenticeship, young people can also begin preparing for the Berufsreifeprüfung. This preparation is free for them.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Austrian academic secondary school last?

The AHS lasts eight years, from school year 5 to school year 12. The four-year Oberstufenrealgymnasium begins after school year 8.

What is the difference between an AHS and a BHS?

The AHS provides broad general education and the Matura. The BHS takes five years and provides both the Matura and a vocational diploma, allowing students to enter employment directly.

Can a student move from Mittelschule to an AHS?

Yes. The student must meet the required grade conditions or, if these are not met, pass entrance examinations in the relevant subjects.

Practical steps for choosing a school

1. Check which school year your child has completed and how it corresponds to the Austrian Schulstufe.
2. Review German, mathematics and foreign-language grades if an AHS transfer is being considered.
3. Compare the school’s profile, such as academic, technical, commercial, tourism, arts or sports options.
4. Ask the school whether an Aufnahmsprüfung is required.
5. For vocational training, look at both the apprenticeship contract and the related Berufsschule schedule.
6. Confirm admission details directly with the chosen school, as individual profiles and requirements can differ.

This article is based on information available online and does not constitute professional advice. Use the information at your own risk. For specialist advice, contact an appropriate qualified professional. Source: oesterreich.gv.at.