In Austria the post-secondary sector at university level (higher education) comprises 19 Universities (Universitäten) maintained by the state, 3 Schools of Philosophy and Theology (Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschulen) maintained by the Roman-Catholic Church, 93 Fachhochschule programmes (Fachhochschul-Studiengänge) maintained by private institutions - some of them being denominated "Fachhochschule" - with subsidies from the state, and 5 Private Universities (Privatuniversitäten) run by private maintainers with statal accreditation.

The post-secondary sector at non-university level comprises 50 Teacher Training Colleges for teachers in compulsory schools (Akademien für Lehrerbildung), 5 Social Worker Colleges (Akademien für Sozialarbeit), 7 Midwife Academies (Hebammenakademien), 48 Technical Medical Colleges (Medizinisch-Technische Akademien), 2 Military Academies (Militärische Akademien), 26 Schools of Psychotherapy (Psychotherapeutische Ausbildungseinrichtungen), 12 Conservatories (Konservatorien), and 2 Business Schools (Wirtschaftsschulen).

Below there is referred only to higher education.

Overall Structure of Higher Education

A diploma degree (Diplomgrad) is awarded by Austrian universities after eight to twelve semesters, depending on the relevant field of study. Its full denomination is "Magister .../ Magistra...", including a description of the field in which it was obtained, e.g. Magister philosophiae; in the fields of engineering, it is "Diplom-Ingenieur". The studies of medicine and dentistry are exceptions: The first degree awarded is "Doctor medicinae universae" or "Doctor medicinae dentalis", respectively, after twelve semesters.

The study programmes leading to a Diplomgrad can be splitted up into an undergraduate programme with a bachelor degree (Bakkalaureatsgrad, denomination "Bakkalaureus .../Bakkalaurea...") after six to eight semesters, and a graduate programme with a master degree (Magistergrad, denomination "Magister ../ Magistra....") after two to four semesters.

Holders of a Diplomgrad or a Magistergrad are entitled to enter a doctoral programme (Doktoratsstudium) at a university. The doctoral degree (Doktorgrad, denomination "Doktor .../ Doktorin...") is awarded after four semesters.

Graduates of Fachhochule programmes are also awarded an academic degree after seven or eight semesters. The denominations are "Diplom-Ingenieur (FH)" in the fields of engineering, or, respectively, "Magister (FH)" in the other fields of study. The abbreviation "FH" distinguishes those degrees from university degrees. Graduates of Fachhochule programmes are entitled to enter a doctoral programme at a university which lasts longer by two semesters than it would have lasted for university graduates.

Beyond the degree programmes (ordentliche Studien) described above, there exist non-degree programme studies (außerordentliche Studien) which can be a university course programme (Universitätslehrgang) or the attendance of individual courses.

Diploma programme (Diplomstudium)

Admission to a diploma programme is granted on the basis of an Austrian or equivalent foreign secondary school leaving certificate (Reifezeugnis), a certificate on a special university entrance examination (Studienberechtigungsprüfung), or a certificate on a Berufsreifeprüfung. The studies are subdivided into two or three stages of study (Studienabschnitte). The length of each part of studies as well as the subjects to be taken and their extent are laid down in the curriculum (Studienplan). There are required subjects (Pflichtfächer), restricted elective fields of concentration (gebundene Wahlfächer) which have to be selected from a catalogue set out in the curriculum, and elective fields of concentration (freie Wahlfächer) which have to be chosen without being bound to catalogues. Each stage of study is concluded with a diploma examination (Diplomprüfung). The approval of the diploma thesis (Diplomarbeit) is a prerequisite for admission to the last diploma examination.

Bachelor programme (Bakkalaureatsstudium)

Admission to a bachelor programme is granted on the basis of an Austrian or equivalent foreign secondary school leaving certificate (Reifezeugnis), a certificate on a special university entrance examination (Studienberechtigungsprüfung), or a certificate on a Berufsreifeprüfung. The subjects to be taken and their extent are laid down in the curriculum (Studienplan). There are required subjects (Pflichtfächer), restricted elective fields of concentration (gebundene Wahlfächer) which have to be selected from a catalogue set out in the curriculum, and elective fields of concentration (freie Wahlfächer) which have to be chosen without being bound to catalogues. At least two bachelor essays have to be written within the subjects of the programme. The programme is concluded with a bachelor examination (Bakkalaureatsprüfung).

Master programme (Magisterstudium)

Admission to a master programme is granted on the basis of a completed Austrian bachelor programme (Bakkalaureatsstudium) or equivalent programme at post-secondary level. The subjects to be taken and their extent are laid down in the curriculum (Studienplan). The main area of concentration is the master thesis (Magisterarbeit), including studies in related subjects. The programme is concluded with a master examination (Magisterprüfung). The approval of the master thesis (Magisterarbeit) is a prerequisite for admission to the master examination.

Doctoral programme (Doktoratsstudium)

Admission to a doctoral programme is granted on the basis of a completed Austrian diploma programme (Diplomstudium), master programme (Magisterstudium), or equivalent programme at post-secondary level. The subjects to be taken and their extent are laid down in the curriculum (Studienplan). The main area of concentration is the doctoral thesis (Dissertation), including studies in related subjects. The programme is concluded with the approval of the doctoral thesis and with a doctoral examination (Rigorosum).

Fachhochschule programmes (Fachhochschul-Studiengänge)

Admission to a Fachhochschule programme is granted on the basis of an Austrian or equivalent foreign secondary school leaving certificate (Reifezeugnis), a certificate on a special university entrance examination (Studienberechtigungsprüfung), or a relevant professional qualification. There is a selection procedure prior to admission. The subjects to be taken and their extent are laid down in the curriculum (Studienplan). There are required subjects (Pflichtfächer) and elective fields of concentration (Wahlfächer). The Fachhochschule programmes are more application-oriented than university studies and include one or two semesters of guided practical training. The programme is concluded with a diploma examination (Diplomprüfung). The approval of the diploma thesis (Diplomarbeit) is a prerequisite for admission to the diploma examination.

Examinations

According to the examination modalities outlined in the curricula (Studienpläne), examinations can take the form of oral and written exams, or projects. Oral examinations are principally public exams.

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