https://www.ocg.at/en

Austrian Federal Ministry of Education

Education System Structure

Education Structure Overview* (e.g., primary, secondary, K-12, tertiary or higher education, with technical/vocational tracks)

Education is compulsory for 9 years, but training or schooling is required up to the age of 18 years. Austria’s education system is structured into several distinct stages and offers both academic and vocational pathways to accommodate diverse learning needs and career goals (please note: all educational tracks now include varying degrees of computing science content in the form of cross-curricular or interdisciplinary topics):

1. Primary Education (ICSED 1). Ages: 6–10 years (Grades 1–4)

Some IT content in curriculum, focusing merely on basic literacy.

2. Lower Secondary Education. Ages: 10–14 years (Grades 5–8)

Obligatory subject “Basic Digital Competencies”.

a)     General secondary school (ISCED 2). (German “Mittelschule”)

b)     Academic Secondary School (ISCED 2) (German “AHS Unterstufe”).

3. Upper Secondary Education. Ages: 14–18/19 years (Grades 9–12/13).

Varying scope of computing education (from no focus to strong focus)

a)     Academic secondary school second stage (ISCED 3A) (German “AHS Oberstufe”), leads to the Matura (university entrance qualification) after 4 years.

b)     Higher technical and vocational college (ISCED 3A/4A) (German “Berufsbildende höhere Schulen, BHS”), after 5 years leads to a Matura and professional qualifications.

c)     Intermediate technical and vocational school (ISCED 3B) (German “Berufsbildende mittlere Schule, BMS”), for up to 4 years.

d)     After a pre-vocational year (ISCED 3C), a vocational school for apprentices (ISCED 3B) (German “Berufsschule/Lehre”), for up to 4 years.

4. Tertiary Education

a)     Bachelor programs (ISCED 5A) of 6-8 semesters and Master Programs (ISCED 5A) of 2-4 semesters.

b)     Diploma programs (ISCED 5A) of 8-12 semesters.

c)     University courses (ISCED 4C/5B).

d)     Post-secondary colleges for teacher training, the medical services, and social work (ISCED 5B) of 6 semesters.

e)     Post-secondary courses (ISCED 5B) of 4 semesters.

f)       Schools for master craftsmen, foremen, and construction traders (ISCED 5B) of 2 years.

g)     Schools for medical services (ISCED 4B) of 2-3 years.

Education System Structure
Pupil age range when computing/IT is introduced into the curriculum*

1) Primary School (ages 6–10 years):

No formal computing subject, but digital basic skills are integrated informally (e.g., media use, basic device handling).

 Stage 1: Early Exposure, Age 6–10 years, Grades 1–4.  No formal computing subject but digital activities (e.g., using tablets, media handling, basic safety).

Stage 2: Basic Digital Education, Age 10–14 years, Grades 5–8. Compulsory subject containing digital literacy, media use, online safety, data, introduction to algorithms and computational thinking. (Content distribution: approx. 15% computing education, 39% application skills, and 46% media skills.)

Stage 3: Diversification, Age 14–15 years, Grade 9. Optional or track-specific informatics: file systems, office tools, simple programming, computational thinking. (Please note: curriculum reform is currently underway. The proportion of computing is expected to increase from 2026 onwards.)

1. Digital Literacy and Media Competence

First contact with digital devices at the primary level. Systematically introduced in lower secondary (Grades 5–8) through the compulsory subject “Basic Digital Education”:

* Safe and responsible use of digital devices and the internet

* Information search, evaluation, and digital communication

* Awareness of digital footprints, data privacy, and cyberbullying

* Basic understanding of digital media formats and tools

2. Computational Thinking and Algorithms

Typically introduced from age 10 years onward, and deepened in higher levels:

* Understanding and formulating algorithms

* Decomposing problems and recognizing patterns

* Logic, abstraction, and flowcharting

* Introduction to pseudocode and visual programming tools (e.g., Scratch)

3. Programming

Taught more intensively in some upper secondary schools, especially in higher vocational schools with informatics tracks:

* Basic syntax and structure of programming languages (e.g., Python, Java)

* Variables, control structures, loops, functions

* Problem-solving through coding tasks

* Event-driven and object-oriented programming (in advanced tracks)

4. Data and Information

Taught more intensively in upper secondary, especially in higher vocational schools with informatics tracks:

* Binary representation, data types, encoding

* File formats and data structures (arrays, lists, tables)

* Simple databases and data handling

* Introduction to data protection and legal frameworks (e.g., GDPR)

Scratch is used up to the age of 14/15 years. After that, depending on the school, Python is used. Vocational schools also teach Java.

Educational Institutions and Access

Notable institutions providing computer science/IT education* (universities, colleges, technical schools);

   Austria offers a broad and well-regarded range of computer science and IT education across secondary and tertiary levels. Key institutions include:

A.     Universities – Academic Computer Science

These institutions offer research-oriented bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs in computer science and related fields:

1. TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology). Austria’s largest technical university with a leading Faculty of Informatics. Known for software engineering, logic, AI, and security.

2. TU Graz (Graz University of Technology). Strong focus on computer engineering, cybersecurity, and data science, with close industry ties.

3. Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU). Offers informatics, artificial intelligence, and mechatronics. Home to the LIT AI Lab.

4. University of Vienna. Offers computer science, digital humanities, and business informatics with a theoretical orientation.

5. University of Klagenfurt. Strong in information and communication engineering, software engineering, systems science, and applied AI.

6. University of Innsbruck. Offers computer science and computer engineering with a focus on distributed systems and quantum computing.

B. Universities of Applied Sciences (“Fachhochschule - FH”)

These institutions focus on practice-oriented, industry-linked IT programs, including cooperative education and part-time formats:

1. FH Technikum Wien. Specializes in applied informatics, network engineering, embedded systems, and cybersecurity.

2. FH Hagenberg (part of FH Oberösterreich). Known for media informatics, game development, software engineering, and AI.

3. FH Joanneum (Graz, Kapfenberg). Strong IT programs in data science, IT security, and software design.

4. FH St. Pölten. Offers digital technologies, smart engineering, and IT security.

5. FH Campus Wien. Applied informatics, health IT, and smart city technologies.

C. Secondary-Level Technical Schools (“HTLs – Höhere Technische Lehranstalten”)

These vocational schools with five-year programs combine technical education with general subjects and lead to both a university entrance qualification (Matura) and professional IT certification.

Notable schools with strong computing/informatics branches include:

a)     HTL Dornbirn (Vorarlberg) – Information technology and digital media

b)     HTL Kaindorf (Styria) – Computer science and business informatics

c)     HTL Leonding (Upper Austria) – Software development, systems engineering

d)     HTL Mössingerstraße (Carinthia) – Technical informatics, electronics, automation, and smart infrastructure

e)     HTL Rennweg (Vienna) – Focus on IT and media technology

f)       HTL Spengergasse (Vienna) – Informatics, mobile computing, security

g)     HTL Villach (Carinthia) – Software/web-development, data science and artificial intelligence

D. Additional Notes

University colleges of teacher education also provide programs to train future teachers of informatics at primary and secondary levels.

Educational Institutions and Access

Digital access in schools (such as Internet access, computer-to-student ratios); 

 A. Internet Access

Nearly all schools in Austria have broadband internet access, supported by national initiatives like “Schule digital” and “Breitbandinitiative Schule”.

Many schools offer Wi-Fi coverage throughout the building, although bandwidth quality may vary, especially in rural areas.

A.     Device Access/Computer-to-Student Ratios

The government’s “8-Point Plan for Digital Education” (since 2021) introduced a 1:1 device initiative:

All students in Grade 5 (age 10 years) receive a personal laptop or tablet for school use. Devices are subsidized by the federal government and can be used at home and in class.

B.     IT Equipment in Schools (as of 2023)

* Interactive Whiteboards: >60 % of schools; ~55 students/board in primary, and ~82 in secondary

* Learning Platforms (LMS): Integrated into national digitalization efforts; commonly used alongside whiteboard content

* Multimedia Workstations and Laboratories: Standard equipment in secondary schools includes computer laboratories and digital media stations

Educational Institutions and Access

Equity and access challenges* (rural versus urban, gender disparities, etc.)

Although Austria’s national connectivity is strong, rural areas lag behind in high-speed broadband infrastructure. For example, VHCN (very high capacity network, ≥100 Mbps) coverage in rural areas is below 20% (data from 2022).

B.     Gender Disparities

According to a 2023 Austrian study, there is a pronounced digital gender gap across competence areas, with males consistently outperforming females in technical and problem-solving tasks.

National data indicates 66% of men versus 61% of women have at least basic digital skills, with larger differences in advanced ICT competencies.

The female share in ICT jobs in Austria is about 17%.

National Initiatives and Policies

Digital education policies, including uses of Generative AI in schools (with weblinks where possible)

 A. Eight‑Point Plan for Digital Learning (BMBWF, 2020–2024) was a national framework with eight key measures (https://www.bmb.gv.at/en/Topics/school/krp/8_p_p.html):

* Unified Digital School Portal (PODS) with single sign-on

* Standardizations of LMS platforms

* Continuing education (MOOCs) for teachers

* Alignment of Eduthek with curricula

* Quality certification for learning apps

* Expansion of school IT infrastructure (broadband, Wi‑Fi)

* Distribution of student devices (5^th and 6^th Grades)

* Distribution of teacher devices

B. AI Pilot Schools (https://eeducation.at/community/ki-initiative-des-bm, in German, with school map). Around 100 Austrian schools participate in AI classroom pilots, focusing on:

* Lesson preparation

* Adaptive learning

* Ethical, data-secure AI use

National Initiatives and Policies

Computer science/IT teacher training programmes; 

They offer a teacher training program in “Computer Science and Digital Education” as part of regional development alliances (8-semester BEd and 4-semester MEd programs).

B. In-Service and Continuing Professional Development

There is mandatory continuing education. As per the 2018 amendment to the Teacher Service Act, teachers must complete 15 hours of training per year, including digital and ICT-related topics.

National Initiatives and Policies

Government or NGO partnerships; 

This national initiative since 2016 is co‑led by the Federal Ministry of Education and implemented via a network of “expert schools”.

It focuses on teacher training, school-level digital strategy, and integration of digital competencies (digi.komp4, digi.komp8, digi.komp12) into classrooms. 

2. Saferinternet.at (https://www.saferinternet.at)

Austria’s national Safer Internet Centre is funded by the European Commission, the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Chancellery, Meta, and A1 (a mobile telephone and network provider).

This provides schools with age-appropriate workshops, interactive lesson materials, helplines, and cyber-safety training, including annual Safer Internet Day events.

3. Austria Digital Skills Initiative (https://www.digitalaustria.gv.at)

Launched in 2022, this coalition is coordinated by the Austrian Federal Chancellery and four ministries (Education, Economy, Labor, and Health).

It involves over 80 stakeholders - public institutions, NGOs, businesses - working on strategic priorities, including digital skills frameworks and inclusive learning opportunities.

4. ICDL/OCG “TrainDL” and AI Workshops (https://www.ocg.at/traindl)

This is a collaboration between the Austrian Computer Society (OCG), ICDL Austria, and education providers to deliver teacher training in data literacy and AI. It Includes open-access workshops and OER modules on AI ethics, teaching practices, and digital tool integration.

National Initiatives and Policies

Sources of funding and investment in educational technology; 

2. R&D and Innovation Funding, for example, FWF (the Austrian Science Fund) and FFG (the Austrian Research Promotion Agency) including its COMET program that supports applied ICT research and collaboration across academia and industry. 

National Initiatives and Policies

Innovation and Pilot Programs 

1. AI Pilot Schools. Austria is actively piloting generative AI in approximately 100 schools, integrating AI tools into lesson planning, personalized learning, and classroom instruction. These initiatives include teacher training, ethical guidelines, and data privacy measures.

2. Education Innovation Studios. Established in all federal states and 100 elementary schools, these hands-on laboratories for teacher trainees focus on robotics, coding, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary digital competencies (Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication). 

3. Local Initiatives (laboratories) at universities (in German): Vienna (https://edulab.ifs.tuwien.ac.at/); Linz (https://www.jku.at/schule/cool-lab/); Klagenfurt (https://www.rfdz-informatik.at/); Graz (https://super-science-team.tugraz.at/)

National Initiatives and Policies

Language of instruction in IT; 

National Initiatives and Policies

Government/state/public versus private sector involvement; 

National Initiatives and Policies

Key industry involvement

Infineon Technologies Austria (Villach) invests heavily in ICT R&D and sponsors university chairs in data science and cybersecurity.

EdTech Austria is a central hub uniting ~150 EdTech companies, research institutions, and schools, fostering innovation via events, networking, and pilot deployments.

Statistics and Data

Number of students enrolled in computer science/IT subjects at specific ages (linked to longitudinal data if possible); 

A. Lower Secondary: 353,000 pupils (48.3% female). This is 100% of the lower secondary school population due to the requirement of compulsory Basic Digital Education.

B. Upper Secondary Schools (according to Statistics Austria, https://www.statistik.at/statistiken/bevoelkerung-und-soziales/bildung/schulbesuch/schuelerinnen, 2023):

1. 91,980 pupils (59% female) choose the Upper Cycle of the Academic Secondary School:

* Compulsory Informatics education (constituting 100% of the school population for one year at Grade 9).

* About 18,400 (20%) of them select(ed) informatics electives.

2. 13,080 pupils choose intermediate vocational schools (BMS) with technical programs (20.2% female) for 1 to 3 years.

3. 60,210 pupils (29.4% female) choose higher vocational colleges (BHS/HTL) with IT-related programs.

C. Post-secondary (according to Informatics-Europe, https://www.informatics-europe.org/data-portal/?page=index.html, 2023):

4. 730 students were enrolled in research universities or universities of applied sciences (24.4% female).

Statistics and Data

Numbers of graduates in computer science /IT (linked to longitudinal data if possible);  

 Data sourced from https://www.informatics-europe.org/data-portal/?page=index.html:

2,016 BA degrees (19.7% female, 2023)

1,602 MA degrees (27.5% female, 2023)

125 PhD degrees (21.6% female, 2023)

Statistics and Data

IT workforce pipeline data (linked to longitudinal data if possible); 

A. Austria’s register-based ATRACK graduate tracking surveys all higher education graduates, including those in ICT and computing fields. Key outcomes for 2020/21 graduates (https://www.statistik.at/en/statistics/population-and-society/higher-education-graduates/graduate-tracking) were:

* 84.9% of higher education graduates are employed 36 months post-graduation.

* There was a 2.2% unemployment rate within three years — a strong indicator of employability.

B. ICT tertiary graduands. The share within the ICT-qualified sector: ~73.7% hold tertiary degrees.

C. ICT professionals. 20% of firms employ ICT specialists; AI roles use 20% (2024). The Digital Austria Report No. 4 (https://www.digitalaustria.gv.at/dam/jcr%3A343891e3-0d49-4730-904d-1d4c6b7d90cc/Digitalisation%20Report_4_2023-EN.pdf) confirms a rise in ICT professionals—from 31.3% (in  2017) to 40.3% (in 2022) of related occupations 

Statistics and Data

Gender ratios in IT fields (linked to longitudinal data if possible)

* The proportion of ICT specialists in total employment in Austria (https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=ICT_specialists_in_employment#ICT_specialists_by_sex) is 5.2% (in 2024). 21.1% of them are female.

* In Austria, approximately 22% of self-employed ICT specialists are female (2024) (https://ec.europa.eu/assets/rtd/shefigures/2024/files/shefigures2024fiche-at.pdf).

* With BA degrees (19.7% female, in 2023), MA degrees (27.5% female, in 2023), and PhD degrees (21.6% female) (https://www.informatics-europe.org/data-portal/?page=index.html, 2023).

Resources and References

Links to Resources (e.g.: Curricula)  or Guideline websites;

A. National Curricula (in German only)

1. Primary Schools: https://www.bmb.gv.at/Themen/schule/schulpraxis/lp/lp_vs.html

2. Lower Secondary Schools: https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/eli/bgbl/II/2022/267/20220706

3. General Secondary Schools: https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10008568

4. Vocational Schools: https://www.abc.berufsbildendeschulen.at/downloads/lehrplaene-technische-gewerbliche-und-kunstgewerbliche-schulen

B. Guidelines

1. digi.komp Framework: https://digikomp.at/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

2. Austrian Framework of Reference for Digital Competence (DigComp 2.3 AT): https://www.digitalekompetenzen.gv.at/kompetenzen/Kompetenzmodell.html

Resources and References

Research reports or case studies;

Policy documents; Contact information for the Nation al Representative

Resources and References

Research reports or case studies;

Digital Education Training for Teachers (2024) offers an insightful Frontiers journal paper on lessons about digitization in teacher education, referencing DigCompEdu and interactivity (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2024.1490123/pdf).

Introducing Digital Education as a Mandatory Subject (2023) is a case study by Corinna Hörmann and Eva Schmidthaler on implementation challenges of the compulsory Digital Education curriculum in Grades 5–8 (https://www.scitepress.org/Papers/2023/118370/118370.pdf).

EU Project on Upskilling Teacher Educators is a European Commission–supported project reviewing system challenges and piloting new curriculums for teacher trainer competencies in digital education (https://reform-support.ec.europa.eu/publications-0/digitalisation-austrian-education-system_en).

Resources and References

Policy documents; 

Digitalization Report No. 4 (2023) is an official Austrian government strategy document, with data on ICT workforce growth, broadband targets, and digital skills benchmarks (in English and German, https://www.digitalaustria.gv.at/dam/jcr%3A4bf34363-52b2-4bb9-8d1d-864cc323fcef/National%20Strategic%20Roadmap%20for%20the%20Austrian%20Decade%202023-final-28112023_EN.pdf).

National Strategic Roadmap for the Austrian Digital Decade (2023) aligns Austria with EU Digital Decade targets, including digital competence frameworks and basic skills targets (e.g., 63% digital competence versus EU 54% as a whole) (file:///C:/Users/andi/Downloads/Digitale-Dekade_2025_EN-final.pdf).

Eurydice/Austrian Digital Education Digitization Act is an overview of the legal framework equipping Grade 5 classes with devices, LMS infrastructure, and provincial support structures (https://education-profiles.org/europe-and-northern-america/austria/~technology).

Dr. Andreas Bollin

Andreas.Bollin@aau.at

University of Klagenfurt, Austria