Intermediate and Higher-level Vocational Schools (BMHS)

Intermediate vocational schools (BMS)

Intermediate vocational schools, along with general education, provide training for specific professions. To enter these schools, students must have successfully completed level eight of the Austrian school system and in some cases must have passed an entrance exam.
Duration is between one and four years depending on the branch chosen.
Students who have successfully completed a three-year intermediate vocational school (final examination) have access to relevant professions and may also attend extension courses granting entry to higher (university) education.

Main types of intermediate vocational schools offered by the Vienna School Board:

• Schools for technical professions (3 to 4 years)
• Commercial schools (3 years)
• Commercial schools for people under employment (4 semesters)
• Schools for occupations in the services industries management (3 years)
• Schools for fashion and clothing (3 years)
• Schools for gastronomy (3 years)
• Schools for hotel and catering (3 years)
• Schools for occupations in the social services sector (2 to 3 years)
• Schools for economics (2 years)
• Schools for economics (1 year)
• Schools in preparation of training for higher-level health and nursing care (1 year)

Higher-level vocational schools (BHS)

Higher-level vocational schools offer both comprehensive general education and higher-level vocational training. This double qualification grants school-leavers immediate access to relevant professions and entitles them to enrol in all universities courses.
Prerequisites for admittance to higher-level vocational schools are successful completion of level eight of the Austrian school system and in some cases entrance examinations.

Main types of higher-level vocational schools offered by the Vienna School Board:

• Higher-level technical schools (5 years)
• Higher-level technical schools for people under employment (8 semesters)
• College for people under employment (technical: 6 semesters - following matriculation (Matura) at an AHS or other BHS, completion of vocational training or university entrance exam)
• Preparatory courses for people under employment (technical: 2 semesters)
• Higher-level commercial schools (5 years)
• Higher-level commercial schools for people under employment (8 semesters)
• Higher-level schools for occupations in the service industries sector (5 years)
• Higher-level schools for tourism (5 years)
• Higher-level schools for fashion and clothing (5 years)
• Higher-level schools for fashion and product design (5 years)
• Higher-level schools for artistic design (5 years)
• College (commercial and services-oriented: 2 years - following matriculation at an AHS or other BHS, completion of vocational training or university entrance exam)
• Further training courses (3 years - following school leaving examination at a relevant intermediate vocational school)
• Higher-level training schools for nursery school teachers (5 years)

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