Austria - Education, Universities, Schools

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A major reform of the school administrative structure, providing for a unitary school system with access to higher education and experimentation with various types of schools, was initiated in 1970 and led to an “educational revolution” with free access to many avenues of basic, advanced, and vocational instruction for everyone. School attendance is obligatory between ages 6 and 15. Intermediate schools include those preparing students for university and other higher studies, for teachers’ and commercial colleges, and for other specialized institutions. The academic Gymnasium is the secondary school leading to the university. 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A major reform of the school administrative structure, providing for a unitary school system with access to higher education and experimentation with various types of schools, was initiated in 1970 and led to an “educational revolution” with free access to many avenues of basic, advanced, and vocational instruction for everyone. School attendance is obligatory between ages 6 and 15. Intermediate schools include those preparing students for university and other higher studies, for teachers’ and commercial colleges, and for other specialized institutions. The academic Gymnasium is the secondary school leading to the university. Austria"/> <meta property="og:type" content="ARTICLE"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Austria - Education, Universities, Schools | Britannica"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Austria - Education, Universities, Schools: The federal government oversees education in Austria. A major reform of the school administrative structure, providing for a unitary school system with access to higher education and experimentation with various types of schools, was initiated in 1970 and led to an “educational revolution” with free access to many avenues of basic, advanced, and vocational instruction for everyone. School attendance is obligatory between ages 6 and 15. Intermediate schools include those preparing students for university and other higher studies, for teachers’ and commercial colleges, and for other specialized institutions. The academic Gymnasium is the secondary school leading to the university. 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class="col-auto"> <div class="topic-left-rail md-article-drawer position-relative d-flex border-right-sm border-left-sm open"> <div class="drawer d-flex flex-column open"> <div class="left-rail-section-content"> <div class="topic-left-rail-header text-truncate bg-gray-50 position-relative text-right d-flex align-items-center"> <div class="tlr-title px-20 py-15 text-left"> <em class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria">Austria</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/place/Austria">Introduction & Quick Facts</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref33387"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria#ref33387">Land</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33388"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria#ref33388">Relief</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33389"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria#ref33389">Drainage</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33390"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Climate">Climate</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33391"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Climate#ref33391">Plant and animal life</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref33394"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Climate#ref33394">People</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33395"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Climate#ref33395">Ethnic groups</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274940"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Languages">Languages</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274941"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Languages#ref274941">Religion</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33393"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Languages#ref33393">Settlement patterns</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33396"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Languages#ref33396">Demographic trends</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref33397"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Languages#ref33397">Economy</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274936"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Agriculture-and-forestry">Agriculture and forestry</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33398"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Agriculture-and-forestry#ref33398">Resources and power</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33399"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Agriculture-and-forestry#ref33399">Manufacturing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33401"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Finance">Finance</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33400"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Finance#ref33400">Trade</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274937"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Finance#ref274937">Services</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274938"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Finance#ref274938">Labour and taxation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33402"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Transportation-and-telecommunications">Transportation and telecommunications</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref33403"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Transportation-and-telecommunications#ref33403">Government and society</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33404"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Transportation-and-telecommunications#ref33404">Constitutional framework</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274939"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Transportation-and-telecommunications#ref274939">Local government</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33407"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Transportation-and-telecommunications#ref33407">Justice</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33406"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Political-process">Political process</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33408"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Political-process#ref33408">Security</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33410"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Political-process#ref33410">Health and welfare</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33409"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Education">Education</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref33413"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Education#ref33413">Cultural life</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33414"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Education#ref33414">Cultural milieu</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274933"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Education#ref274933">Daily life and social customs</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274934"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/The-arts">The arts</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33415"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Cultural-institutions">Cultural institutions</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274935"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Cultural-institutions#ref274935">Sports and recreation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33416"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Cultural-institutions#ref33416">Media and publishing</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref129458"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Cultural-institutions#ref129458">History</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33330"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Cultural-institutions#ref33330">Prehistory and Roman times</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33331"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Early-Middle-Ages">Early Middle Ages</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33332"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Early-Middle-Ages#ref33332">Germanic and Slavic settlement</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33333"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Early-Babenberg-period">Early Babenberg period</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33334"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Later-Babenberg-period">Later Babenberg period</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33335"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Late-Middle-Ages">Late Middle Ages</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33336"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Late-Middle-Ages#ref33336">Contest for the Babenberg heritage</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33337"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Accession-of-the-Habsburgs">Accession of the Habsburgs</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33338"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Division-of-the-Habsburg-lands">Division of the Habsburg lands</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33339"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Burgundian-and-Spanish-marriages">Burgundian and Spanish marriages</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33340"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Burgundian-and-Spanish-marriages#ref33340">Reformation and Counter-Reformation</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33341"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Burgundian-and-Spanish-marriages#ref33341">Acquisition of Bohemia</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33342"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Advance-of-Protestantism">Advance of Protestantism</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33343"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Advance-of-Protestantism#ref33343">Rudolf II and Matthias</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33344"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/The-Bohemian-rising-and-the-victory-of-the-Counter-Reformation">The Bohemian rising and the victory of the Counter-Reformation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33345"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/The-Bohemian-rising-and-the-victory-of-the-Counter-Reformation#ref33345">Struggle with Sweden and France</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33346"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Austria-as-a-great-power">Austria as a great power</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33347"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/War-of-the-Spanish-Succession">War of the Spanish Succession</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33348"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/War-of-the-Spanish-Succession#ref33348">Problem of the Austrian succession</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33349"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/New-conflicts-with-the-Turks-and-the-Bourbons">New conflicts with the Turks and the Bourbons</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33350"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Social-economic-and-cultural-trends-in-the-Baroque-period">Social, economic, and cultural trends in the Baroque period</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33351"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/From-the-accession-of-Maria-Theresa-to-the-Congress-of-Vienna">From the accession of Maria Theresa to the Congress of Vienna</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33352"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/From-the-accession-of-Maria-Theresa-to-the-Congress-of-Vienna#ref33352">War of the Austrian Succession, 1740–48</a></li></ul><ul 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class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33363"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Neoabsolutist-era-1849-60">Neoabsolutist era, 1849–60</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33364"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Constitutional-experimentation-1860-67">Constitutional experimentation, 1860–67</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33365"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Austria-Hungary-1867-1918">Austria-Hungary, 1867–1918</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33366"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Austria-Hungary-1867-1918#ref33366">Ausgleich of 1867</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33367"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Domestic-affairs-1867-73">Domestic affairs, 1867–73</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li 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Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/austria/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Austria</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-title">Britannica Websites</div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-subtitle">Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</div> <ul class="list-unstyled bps-topic-web-sites lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Austria/345640" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Austria - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Austria/273024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Austria - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn btn-sm border-2 btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 d-none mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10 px-sm-5 px-md-10 js-header-ai-ask-button"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="caption alternate-titles">Also known as: Österreich, Republic of Austria, Republik Österreich</div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/Fritz-Fellner/909" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Fritz Fellner</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Emeritus Professor of Modern History, University of Salzburg, Austria. Author of <i>Schicksaljahre Österreichs </i>and others.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Fritz Fellner</span>, <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/Reinhold-F-Wagnleitner/4020" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Reinhold F. Wagnleitner</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Associate Professor of History, University of Salzburg, Austria. Author of <i>Coca-colonization and the Cold War: The Cultural Mission of the United States in Austria After the Second World War.</i></div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Reinhold F. Wagnleitner</span><span class="text-gray-700 mx-5">•</span><a class="see-all border-gray-700 gtm-byline" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria/additional-info#contributors">All</a> </div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2025-02-25T00:00:00CST" >Feb 25, 2025</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn btn-sm border-2 btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 module-spacing js-inline-ai-ask-button p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot </button> </div> <div class="bg-gray-50 p-15 rounded module-spacing recent-news d-flex flex-column float-false"> <div> <h2 class="font-weight-bold font-14 m-0 d-inline"> News <span class="text-gray-600">•</span> </h2> <div class="recent-news-item first-recent-news-item d-inline"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/ski-jumping/abigail-strate-ski-jumping-bronze-medal-hinzenbach-austria-1.7466397" rel="nofollow">Ski jumper Abigail Strate earns bronze in Austria for 1st World Cup medal of season</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 24, 2025, 1:11 AM ET (CBC) <button class="btn btn-link d-inline p-0 font-12 js-toggle-recent-news"> <span class="text-gray-500">...</span><span>(Show more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </div> <div class="rest-of-recent-news-items"> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/austrian-centrist-parties-confident-they-will-form-coalition-government-2025-02-22/" rel="nofollow">Austrian parties close to forming government without far right</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 23, 2025, 3:23 AM ET (Reuters) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-22/austria-on-track-for-centrist-coalition-as-negotiations-advance" rel="nofollow">Austria On Track for Centrist Coalition as Negotiations Advance</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 22, 2025, 1:56 AM ET (Bloomberg) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/culture/2025/02/22/the-first-pop-star-austria-celebrates-200-years-of-waltz-king-johann-strauss-ii" rel="nofollow">‘The first pop star’: Austria celebrates 200 years of ‘waltz king’ Johann Strauss II</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 21, 2025, 6:36 AM ET (The Star) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/austria-moves-towards-centrist-coalition-deal-after-far-right-fails-2025-02-20/" rel="nofollow">Austria moves towards centrist coalition deal after far right fails</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 20, 2025, 5:17 AM ET (Reuters) </span> </div> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1"><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="2" id="ref33409"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The federal government oversees education in Austria. A major reform of the school administrative structure, providing for a unitary school system with access to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/higher-education" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">higher education</a> and experimentation with various types of schools, was initiated in 1970 and led to an “educational revolution” with free access to many avenues of basic, advanced, and vocational instruction for everyone.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">School attendance is obligatory between ages 6 and 15. Intermediate schools include those preparing students for university and other higher studies, for teachers’ and commercial colleges, and for other specialized institutions. The academic <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Gymnasium-German-school" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Gymnasium</a> is the secondary school leading to the university.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Austria has a number of universities and fine arts colleges. The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/University-of-Vienna" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">University of Vienna</a> was founded in 1365. The <span id="ref980126"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/University-of-Graz" class="md-crosslink ">University of Graz</a> was founded in 1585, and the universities of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Innsbruck" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Innsbruck</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Salzburg-state-Austria" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Salzburg</a> were founded during the 17th century. Separate technical universities are located at Vienna and Graz. Reforms were initiated in 1975 to expand and democratize university programs and governing procedures. A wide program of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/adult-education" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">adult education</a> is available throughout the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/nation-state" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">country</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span></section></section><span class="marker h6"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref33413"><h2 class="h1">Cultural life</h2> <section data-level="2" id="ref33414"><h2 class="h2">Cultural milieu</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="17226" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/20083-050-648F2CFF/Kunsthistorisches-Museum-Vienna-Austria.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/44183/17226"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/20083-050-648F2CFF/Kunsthistorisches-Museum-Vienna-Austria.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/20083-050-648F2CFF/Kunsthistorisches-Museum-Vienna-Austria.jpg?w=300" alt="Kunsthistorisches Museum" data-width="1600" data-height="1065" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/20083-050-648F2CFF/Kunsthistorisches-Museum-Vienna-Austria.jpg" data-href="/media/1/44183/17226">Kunsthistorisches Museum</a><span>Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Austria has been a leader and guardian of some of the most <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="sublime" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sublime" data-type="MW">sublime</a> achievements in music, theatre, literature, architecture, medicine, and science. Austrian <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="culture" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture" data-type="MW">culture</a> is a part of the mainstream of Germanic culture that is shared with <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Germany</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Switzerland</a>. But what has shaped it and dominated it, what has made it essentially Austrian, are the Habsburg empire and the Christian church.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The emperor <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maximilian-I-Holy-Roman-emperor" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Maximilian I</a> (reigned 1493–1519) was a poet and a patron of the theatre, and the era that began in the reign of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maria-Theresa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Maria Theresa</a> (1740–80) and ended in that of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Franz-Joseph" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Francis Joseph</a> (1848–1916) was an age of spectacular flourishing in the arts and sciences. During this time an aggregation of genius and talent in often interlocking circles was gathered in <span id="ref409276"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Vienna" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Vienna</a>. Moreover, the Habsburg dynasty’s tradition of patronage of the arts has carried over to the modern <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/republic-government" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">republic</a> of today.</p><div class="module-spacing"> </div><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The church was a powerful influence on Austrian architecture, drama, and music. The great Romanesque monasteries, the Gothic <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Saint-Stephens-Cathedral" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">St. Stephen’s Cathedral</a> in Vienna, and the splendours of the quintessentially Austrian Baroque—exemplified by the works of Austrian architect <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johann-Bernhard-Fischer-von-Erlach" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach</a> and the Bohemian architects <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christoph-Dientzenhofer" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Christoph Dientzenhofer</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kilian-Ignaz-Dientzenhofer" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer</a>—and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/Rococo" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Rococo</a> obviously derive from the church. The Austrian theatre has its origins in late <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="medieval" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medieval" data-type="MW">medieval</a> religious drama, and the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="affinities" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affinities" data-type="MW">affinities</a> of the church with Austrian music continue down to modern times.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Despite the fact that Austrian high culture never has been contained by the borders of the country but rather is considered part of the greater cultural realm of the German-speaking world, many Austrians long imagined their country as blissfully isolated and neutral—an “island of the blessed.” In fact, for many years after <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-II" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">World War II</a>, Austria promoted the idea of having been the first “victim” of Nazi Germany and, some would say, deliberately avoided confronting the guilt surrounding its participation in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Anschluss" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Anschluss</a> (“Union”) with Germany. But by the end of the 20th century, the forces of <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="globalization" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/globalization" data-type="MW">globalization</a> and international competition, spurred by the opening of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Iron-Curtain" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Iron Curtain</a> in 1989 and Austria’s admittance to the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/European-Union" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">EU</a> in 1995, had brought Austria’s imagined perfection into question. The increased immigration of foreigners into the country has caused particular concern among many Austrians, who fear that their carefully tailored social welfare system may be overburdened and their own Austrian identity threatened. Such <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="sentiment" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sentiment" data-type="MW">sentiment</a> has appeared particularly strong in Vienna, where large numbers of immigrants reside.</p><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span></section> <section data-level="2" id="ref274933"><h2 class="h2">Daily life and social customs</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Most ordinary Austrians may be aware of Austria’s historical contributions to high culture, but in general only members of the educated middle class and the elite circles of society participate in glamorous cultural events like the Salzburg Festival of theatre and music. Ordinary Austrians, particularly those who live in small towns and in the rural valleys of the countryside, pursue a more common—but in no way less typically Austrian—cultural life, with its roots in regional traditions, age-old rituals and customs, and a friendly communal spirit. Membership in local organizations called <em>Vereine</em> plays a great role in this culture. Informal gatherings are commonplace as well, and going out to meet friends in restaurants or cafés is an <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="integral" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/integral" data-type="MW">integral</a> part of everyday life. A surprisingly large number of Austrians play instruments in bands, sing in choirs, or make music in smaller groups at home or with neighbours. Many wear traditional costumes (<em>Trachten</em>), such as full-skirted dirndls or <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/loden-coat" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">loden coats</a>, every day, and many more wear them on weekends and on festive or special occasions, including weddings and funerals. Although <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/popular-music" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">popular music</a>, motion pictures, television, and other elements of popular culture are enjoyed throughout the country, these aspects of traditional Austrian culture remain important, even to the young.</p><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD9 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Most Austrians celebrate the major Christian holidays, though many revered Austrian traditions surrounding these holidays are said to have their roots in pre-Christian times. Glöcklerlauf, a festival that takes place the evening before <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Epiphany" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Epiphany</a> (January 6), is celebrated especially in the mountainous regions of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Oberosterreich" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Oberösterreich</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Steiermark" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Steiermark</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Tirol-state-Austria" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Tirol</a> and features activities meant to drive away the evil spirits of winter. During the festival, young men and boys wear loudly clanging bells and carry handmade masks—often extremely large, lighted from within, and decorated with Christian and <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="secular" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secular" data-type="MW">secular</a> designs—on their heads and shoulders.</p><span class="marker MOD9 mod-inline"></span></section> </section><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-simplify-root"></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":8,"pagesTotal":51,"pageId":44183,"pageLength":927,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.133.36"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.133.36' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"D","adLeg":"C","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"COUNTRY_PAGINATED","gisted":false,"pageNumber":8,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":true} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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