Austria to Introduce Minimum Quota for Oral Matura Exams Starting 2027

Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr framed the updates as empowering schools: "Die abschließenden Prüfungen würden modernisiert und gleichzeitig die Eigenverantwortung der Schulstandorte gestärkt." The changes include shorter archiving periods for exam records—three years instead of 60—and greater flexibility in scheduling non-standardized subjects.

Graduation Thesis Becomes Optional

The reforms permanently scrap the mandatory written thesis, known as the Abschließende Arbeit (ABA), which replaced the Vorwissenschaftliche Arbeit (VWA) just this academic year. Instead, students may choose between submitting a thesis—which can now take the form of a multimedia project, video report, podcast, or empirical study—or opting for an additional oral or written exam in another subject.

"Because this option has proven successful—half of AHS graduates used it this year—the ABA will remain 'dauerhaft freiwillig'," the ministry noted. The transition period allowing alternative exams will extend until 2028/29.

Heinrich Himmer, education spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party, praised the package as a "breites Maßnahmenpaket" to strengthen youth education. Critics, however, questioned whether removing the thesis requirement might dilute academic rigor. The ministry countered that upcoming curricula will enforce "Wissenschaftsorientierung" (science-oriented standards) to ensure readiness for university studies.