ECTS
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. This credit system was introduced as part of the Bologna reform process to make academic achievements comparable, transferable and universally recognised throughout the EU. Instead of calculating in terms of hours per week per semester credits or credit points are awarded for successfully completed courses. The number of credit points (CP) varies depending on the amount of work required for each course. One credit corresponds to approximately 25 to 30 hours of work. According to the ECTS credit is awarded based on the amount of work required for the course and not, as was previously the case, on the actual attendance time of the students in the course. In a labour-intensive seminar with a lot of reading, exam preparation and homework a higher number of credit points can therefore be awarded than in a course that requires the same attendance time but involves little work for the students. Before the introduction of the ECTS the workload of a course in Austria was calculated solely on the basis of weekly hours per semester. An individual course corresponded to two weekly hours per semester regardless of the additional workload involved.
Educational counselling
Educational counselling is provided by specially trained teachers who are called student counsellors at schools of general education and educational counsellors at schools and colleges for vocational education. They provide information about school education and careers and refer pupils to sources of help. There are also counselling centres in the education authorities (school psychology/educational counselling, school service centres). Youth coaches and individual learning guides also advise pupils. In adult education an efficient, comprehensive and provider-independent educational counselling system has been established in Austria, which serves as a first point of contact for all those interested in education and employs trained educational counsellors.
Education chain
The term ‘education chain’ refers to the overall strategy of, for example, a country to optimally integrate different educational options and to individually accompany and support all children, young people and adults on their educational path. An important goal of the education chain is equal participation of all people in education, regardless of their social and cultural background, educational background and age. All citizens should be able to develop their talents to the fullest and enjoy a successful educational career. The educational offers focus on the learners with their abilities and needs, with a resource-oriented approach that focuses primarily on their strengths. The offers and projects of an education chain are always geared towards the educational careers of individuals. Particular attention is paid to transitions in educational biographies. The task here is to establish successful transition management at the pivotal points. The funding, counselling and support services in the education sector are also coordinated and provided by a broad network of different actors. The involvement of the business community and civil society (e.g. associations and foundations) also plays an important part in this context. It is very important that the network actors have a common understanding of the interlocking phases of education that structurally promote and support successful continuous learning throughout life. This will enable greater coordination, linking and more efficient use of educational options and capacities as well as better vertical and horizontal permeability between the phases and areas of education. A basic prerequisite for this is the opening up of education options to the social, cultural and economic environment in the region.
Educational cooperation
International cooperation in education is becoming more and more common in an increasingly interconnected world and makes important contributions to the development of societies committed to democratic values, to social cohesion and to the establishment of sustainable and competitive economic systems. Austria now has a wide range of possibilities for transnational cooperation at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. The Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) has long focused on educational cooperation with the countries of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, especially the Western Balkans. These activities especially take the form of strategic networking and regional cooperation as well as participation in European initiatives. Bilateral educational cooperation is of particular importance. Visits at the political level, an intensive exchange of experiences between experts, institutional partnerships and joint projects provide valuable impetus for the education systems of the participating countries. These cooperations are supported by formal intergovernmental agreements, such as cultural agreements, memoranda of understanding and joint declarations. Against the backdrop of the ongoing development of educational policy frameworks in Austria, Europe and globally the BMBWF takes part in international discussions about educational issues within the framework of multilateral organisations. Activities at the multilateral level promote important synergies for the national education sector. Language policy issues play just as important a part in this context as questions concerning the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, development policy cooperation and the development of the quality and effectiveness of education systems.
Educational cooperation with Eastern and South-Eastern Europe (OeAD)
On behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) educational cooperation promotes exchange and cooperation between educational institutions in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and Austria with a view to providing sustainable support for educational reforms in pre-university education. The projects are implemented through four OeAD cooperation offices in Chisinau, Odesa (currently Uzhhorod), Sarajevo (responsible for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia) and Tirana (responsible for Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia), which are headed by Austrian educational coordinators. These educational coordinators are seconded directly by the BMBWF. OeAD project partners include the respective ministries responsible for pre-university education and training, education agencies, institutions for continuous professional development of teachers, regional education authorities, schools and other stakeholders in the OeAD partner countries and in Austria. Moreover, the OeAD supports the BMBWF in implementing mobility programmes within the framework of the ‘Service Centre for Mobility Programmes of the BMBWF’ and in coordinating priority area 9, ‘Investing in People and Skills’, of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region.
Educational export
Education is a commodity that can also be exported. Austrian educational export – understood here as (at least largely) cost-covering, guided educational services by Austrian providers for foreign customers, regardless of the location of the service provision – unfortunately cannot be adequately described in quantitative terms. Austria has a respectable number of education providers of various sizes and origins that operate with remarkable success on the international market, covering a wide range of subjects.
Educational mobility
refers to the (usually individual) change of position either within a stratified society by crossing class boundaries (see educational chain), e.g. by transferring to a higher educational institution, or by crossing geopolitical educational boundaries in order to acquire or impart knowledge.
Educational research
The Educational Research Initiative is a cooperation between the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) and the Foundation for Innovation in Education. The aim is to strengthen educational research through cooperative doctoral programmes between universities and university colleges of teacher education. By combining their respective strengths the transfer of research results into school practice is to be intensified and the promotion of young scientists is to be strengthened at a high level. The OeAD will implement the first call for proposals by the end of 2026.
Educational standards
Educational standards describe, on the basis of competence models, subject-specific and interdisciplinary skills that are important for further school and vocational education. Educational standards enable an optimal presentation and comparability of learning outcomes at the national and European levels.
Education system
The International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 1997) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) serves to compare the structure of the education system in Austria with that of other countries. The ISCED classification divides education into levels and fields and has six levels, from ISCED 0 to ISCED 6 in ascending order. It is characterised by four years of basic education.
- Elementary level, ISCED 0: In Austria this includes crèches, kindergartens, special needs kindergartens, after-school care centres and children's groups. Playgroups and childminders are also included, as are pre-schools.
- Primary level, ISCED 1: This includes pre-schools, primary/elementary schools and special needs schools. In Austria the nine years of compulsory schooling begin at the age of six and thus at the primary level.
- Secondary level I, ISCED 2: In Austria this consists of the fifth to eighth grades and includes special needs schools, the lower cycle of academic secondary schools and secondary schools (middle schools).
- Secondary level II, ISCED 3 and 4: After the secondary level I there is usually one more year of compulsory schooling in Austria; any further school education is optional. The secondary level II begins with the ninth grade. There are many possibilities to continue one's education. In Austria this level includes pre-vocational schools, vocational schools and apprenticeships – as dual training, schools for intermediate vocational education, colleges for higher vocational education, technical colleges and the upper cycle of academic secondary schools.
- Post-secondary and non-university tertiary education, ISCED 4 and 5B: ISCED 4 is non-tertiary secondary education and begins after completion of the 10th grade. In Austria it includes schools for healthcare and nursing, preparatory courses for people who have completed an apprenticeship, add-on courses for graduates of schools for intermediate vocational education (BMS) to prepare them for the Matura examination and the higher education entrance examination for people who have completed an apprenticeship or a school of vocational education, a nursing school or a school for medical-technical occupations (Berufsreifeprüfung). ISCED 5B is non-university tertiary education and follows general and vocational education. It includes master craftsperson schools, industrial master colleges, post-secondary VET courses (also for working people) at commercial colleges (HAK) and technical colleges (HTL), midwifery colleges, medical-technical colleges and training in cardio-technical services.
- Tertiary sector, ISCED 6: This sector includes studies at universities, universities of applied sciences and university colleges of teacher education. The highest formal educational qualification, the doctorate, can be obtained here.
E-learning
‘E-learning’ (or ‘eLearning’) has long been used as a broad collective term and originally referred to learning with any electronic media. In current practice the term is primarily used for asynchronous online learning offers on the Internet but as a collective term it can also include synchronous offers. It is therefore advisable to clarify the specific meaning of the term with explanations when using ‘e-learning’ (or ‘eLearning’). An alternative is the broad umbrella term ‘technology-assisted learning’ – or ‘online learning’ to cover both synchronous and asynchronous forms and distinguish them from traditional classroom-based courses.
Embracing Technology
Embracing Technology is a funding programme of the Foundation for Innovation in Education, in which 20 schools with expert+ status were selected to test the use of new technologies in teaching and everyday school life in cooperation with eEducation Austria. The aim is to develop and collect practical experience and innovative approaches for the education sector.
ENIC NARIC (AUSTRIA)
ENIC-NARIC is responsible for issues relating to the recognition of academic qualifications and is the national information centre for academic recognition. It is part of the international networks ENIC (European Network of Information Centres – founded by the Council of Europe and UNESCO) and NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centres – founded by the European Union).
EPALE (E-Platform for Adult Education)
is a multilingual virtual meeting place for everyone involved in adult education. The EPALE platform is dedicated to different topics in general, political and cultural adult education as well as continuing education and in-service training. EPALE Austria is part of the Europe-wide EPALE network that consists of 37 national coordination agencies. In Austria EPALE is coordinated by the OeAD – Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation – as the national coordination agency. Together with the central coordination office EPALE Austria fills the platform with current content and contributions and is responsible for quality assurance and the activation of user contributions. Moreover, EPALE Austria organises conferences, workshops and webinars at regular intervals to promote exchange and cooperation between adult education professionals. Attention is also drawn to key tools of the platform, such as the project partner search and the Erasmus+ Space. By means of these activities EPALE Austria contributes to connecting and further developing adult education.
Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the EU programme for the promotion and support of general and vocational education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Erasmus+ offers mobility and cooperation opportunities in higher education, vocational education and training and further education, school education (including early childhood education and care), adult education and youth work. Erasmus+ supports priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, the Digital Education Action Plan and the European Skills Agenda. Erasmus+ implements the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 and contributes to the implementation of the principles for a strong social Europe that is fair and inclusive and offers opportunities for all. The programme is open to all actors in the fields of education and youth: young people, pupils, apprentices, students, graduates, teachers and staff, schools, higher education institutions, vocational education and training, further education and adult education institutions, youth organisations, companies, social partners, public authorities, human resources departments, libraries, non-profit organisations and institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), European youth NGOs, informal groups of young people and many more. Funding opportunities include work placements, studying abroad, Europe-wide further education and teaching stays, youth exchanges and mobility for professionals in the youth sector. Project partnerships between institutions are also eligible for funding. The OeAD is the national agency responsible for Erasmus+ in Austria.
Erasmus+ (Vocational education and training)
In the field of vocational education and training Erasmus+ supports transnational cooperation between vocational education and training institutions and other organisations related to vocational education and training. Funding is available for the mobility of pupils in initial vocational training, apprentices, and vocational education teachers and specialists. Stays abroad are possible all over Europe and worldwide. To promote excellence and innovation in vocational education and training Erasmus+ supports centres of vocational excellence and alliances for innovation and capacity building.
Erasmus+ (Adult education)
Erasmus+ adult education supports adults who are learning in a non-vocational context. Typical topics include democracy education, community education, basic education and the recognition of informal skills.
Organisations of general adult education can use Erasmus+ in several ways, e.g. people can travel to other European countries for continuing education within the framework of mobility projects. Adult learners can also participate in the educational programmes offered by adult education organisations and go abroad. In partnership projects several institutions of general adult education from different countries can work together on common goals. Institutions (not individuals) can submit project applications to the OeAD as the national agency responsible for implementing Erasmus+.
Erasmus+ (Higher education)
Every year this programme opens the door to higher education institutions, companies and other organisations in other European countries and beyond for more than 7,500 students from Austria. Around 1,200 lecturers and other members of Austrian higher education institutions go abroad with Erasmus+ every year. Erasmus+ also promotes and supports international cooperation between higher education institutions and projects that higher education institutions pursue with non-academic partner organisations.
Erasmus+ (Cooperation partnerships)
Erasmus+ cooperation partnerships dedicate themselves to a self-selected topic over a longer period of time. They support the development, transfer and implementation of innovative practices as well as joint initiatives to promote cooperation, peer learning and the exchange of experience at the European level. Smaller partnerships with shorter durations, smaller funding amounts and less administrative effort are also possible.
Erasmus+ (Mobility projects)
The mobility of learners, teachers, lecturers, staff, young people and professionals in education and the youth sector is a central activity of Erasmus+. Institutions in the sectors of education and youth can submit mobility projects.
Erasmus+ (Next generation 2021–2027)
Erasmus+ is the European Commission's funding programme for education, youth and sport. Transnational mobility for people of all ages, cooperation in European projects and support for policy reforms are the core tasks of Erasmus+. The EU programme offers mobility and cooperation opportunities in higher education, vocational education and training and further education, school education (including early childhood care and education), adult education and youth work.
Erasmus+ (Partnerships)
Partnerships for cooperation involve cooperation between institutions that are active in the education and youth sectors. They support internationalisation in education and the youth sector and promote innovation in education and the youth sector. Institutions are to gain experience in international cooperation, strengthen their capacities, develop innovative approaches or exchange best practices.
Erasmus+ (School education)
With Erasmus+ School education the European Commission supports transnational cooperation between kindergartens, schools and other institutions related to school education. The programme also subsidises teaching and learning stays for (pre-)school staff in other European countries. Institutions (not individuals) can submit project applications to the OeAD as the national agency for the implementation of Erasmus+.
ERINNERN:AT
With its ERINNERN:AT programme Austria's education agency OeAD focuses on teaching and learning about National Socialism, the Holocaust and the prevention of antisemitism through education. The OeAD implements this programme on behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF). The work of ERINNERN:AT takes place at three levels:
At the regional level the decentralised networks of ERINNERN:AT work in the individual federal provinces. The network coordinators are low-threshold contact persons for teachers and regional projects in historical and political education.
At the national level ERINNERN:AT offers a wide range of professional development courses for teachers and thus also a discussion forum for active remembrance. The learning materials developed by ERINNERN:AT and the non-fiction book series for young people ‘National Socialism in the Austrian federal provinces’ are used in all federal provinces.
At the international level ERINNERN:AT offers seminars in Israel in cooperation with Yad Vashem. It is also highly visible through its cooperation with international organisations such as UNESCO, the OSCE and the IHRA, and works bilaterally with numerous partner institutions. Some of ERINNERN:AT's digital learning materials have received international education awards and are considered best practice.
eTwinning
The online platform eTwinning enables schools to carry out transnational online projects and supports national and international networking among teachers by means of European training courses and conferences.
EURAXESS – Researchers in Motion
EURAXESS – Researchers in Motion is the portal for mobility and careers in research. EURAXESS supports the mobility and careers of researchers and thus contributes to Europe's role as an attractive location for research. Besides a database of job offers, scholarships and other funding options it offers career development tools and practical information for organising a research stay in the European research area. EURAXESS Austria is part of the initiative and provides information about research stays in Austria. The OeAD is a network partner and, together with the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), acts as Austrian bridgehead organisation and Euraxess centre.
EURAXESS Austria
EURAXESS Austria is part of the Europe-wide initiative EURAXESS – Researchers in Motion and comprises measures to promote the mobility and career development of researchers. Up-to-date and comprehensive information regarding research stays in Austria and all issues relevant to the mobility of researchers is available on EURAXESS Austria’s website. EURAXESS – Researchers in Motion includes the following areas:
Jobs & Funding: EURAXESS contains databases with job offers and funding opportunities for researchers, initiatives concerning the rights and responsibilities of researchers and their employers (European charter for researchers & code of conduct for the recruitment of researchers) as well as information and resources regarding career development of researchers.
Information & Assistance: EURAXESS supports researchers and their families in organising their stays and continuing their careers in another country.
Partnering: EURAXESS connects individual researchers and organisations and facilitates collaboration.
EURAXESS Worldwide is a network for researchers outside Europe (North America, Japan, China, India, ASEAN – Association of South-East Asian Nations, LAC – Latin America and the Caribbean).
Euroguidance
The Euroguidance Centre Austria is the interface between Austrian and European educational and career guidance and serves the target group of educational and career guidance counsellors in Austria and Europe as well as individuals who want to find out about learning opportunities and the variety of information, counselling and guidance services available for careers and education. In this way the centre contributes to the development of the European dimension in educational and career guidance.
Europass
As a European career management portal Europass offers free online tools to support learners, working people and job seekers. For job applications and career planning Europass offers, among other things, the Europass Profile for describing one's own skills and abilities and the Europass Editor for CVs and cover letters. All tools are available in 31 languages.
European Education Area
EU educational cooperation aims to create a European Education Area in which learning and studying, teaching and instructing, training and working are possible across borders. This European Education Area is to be based on several pillars:
- the approximation of national education systems through transparency, exchange of experiences and the definition of common goals and fields of action at the political level,
- the comparability of qualifications and the mutual recognition of educational qualifications and periods of study, including joint degrees in higher education,
- Europe-wide structural cooperation between educational institutions and transnational mobility of individuals.
EU educational cooperation provides important impetus for the further development and internationalisation of the Austrian education system. The achievements of the EU cooperation range from the recognition of professional qualifications (Professional Qualifications Directive) to the ECTS system and the European Qualifications Framework. The increasingly close cooperation between nation states in the Bologna Process within the European Higher Education Area, which extends far beyond the EU, has proven to be particularly groundbreaking. The best-known and most successful instrument of EU educational cooperation is the education programme Erasmus+. Unlike other policy areas, educational policy falls solely within the competence of the EU member countries. However, according to the treaties the EU is ‘competent to carry out actions to support, coordinate or supplement the actions of the member countries’ (see Article 6 TFEU). The strategic guidelines and reference points for cooperation are set by the EU heads of state and government in the European Council. Relevant to the field of education are the Europe 2020 strategy, the strategic framework for European cooperation in general and vocational education and training (‘Education and Training 2030’; ‘ET2030’ for short) and the conclusions of the European Council of 14 December 2017 on the social dimension, education and culture. EU cooperation in education is strongly influenced by the principle of mutual exchange of experiences and the adoption of recommendations and conclusions, through which member countries define common challenges, areas for action and objectives. The content is negotiated by the member countries in the EU Education Committee and decided by the EU education ministers in the EU Council for Education, Youth, Culture and Sport. Within the framework of the open method of coordination national experts in EU working groups (ET 2030) deal with issues relating to general and vocational education and training. Austria is actively involved in shaping the process at European level in these working groups. An essential instrument of EU educational cooperation is the development and review of European benchmarks.
European Higher Education Area
Since 1999 48 countries have been negotiating commitments on a regular basis to advance the common European Higher Education Area (EHEA). These countries are represented in the European Bologna Follow-up Group and its thematic working groups. In order to gradually get closer to achieving the extensive Bologna objectives new priorities are jointly set at ministerial meetings at the end of each negotiation cycle, and thus every three years, or the will to continue pursuing the set objectives is reaffirmed.
European Qualifications Framework
The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) serves as a translation tool between the qualifications frameworks of different countries and their qualification levels. The EQF contributes to the transparency, comparability and transferability of qualifications. National qualifications will not be directly linked to the EQF but first be assigned to a National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Each country can determine the structure of its NQF itself, i.e. the number of levels, the definition of descriptors and the type and number of dimensions (knowledge, skills and competence).
European Solidarity Corps
The European Solidarity Corps supports the involvement of young people in projects and activities that benefit the community. The ESC offers young people (aged 18 to 30) the possibility to get involved in charitable projects in their own countries or abroad. Organisations and companies can use the ESC to recruit young, committed people for their teams. Various formats support the implementation of projects that benefit both local communities and people all over Europe.
Evaluation
is understood as a process that reviews goals and measures for their intended effectiveness and serves as a basis for improvement and further development.
Exchange (persons)
In the exchange of persons, e.g. students, the focus is on the acquisition of knowledge. To simplify the process quotas and academic achievements are agreed in advance so that the individual mobility of persons takes place within a largely standardised framework, which offers advantages to all parties involved. Consequently, the exchange can be organised either within a programme (e.g. a scholarship programme) or within a project. It is therefore appropriate to speak of exchange programmes and exchange projects.
Experience abroad
During a stay abroad that usually lasts several weeks to several months for educational, professional or research purposes technical, linguistic, cultural, social, methodological, communicative and personal skills (hard and soft skills) are trained and networks are established.
External students of joint studies (universities of applied sciences)
These are students who have been accepted at a participating partner institution and who complete the specified semesters of the joint study programme at an Austrian university of applied sciences. See > Joint Studies (universities of applied sciences) (Source: Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF), Department IV/7)
