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Educational leave and educational part-time in Austria

How to balance work, family, and your studies

Imagine being able to seamlessly integrate your studies into your daily life:  Educational leave and educational part-time in Austria make this possible for you! You want to know how to continue your education without sacrificing your salary or job stability? We’ll tell you everything you need to know!

Educational leave

Reach for new horizons with educational leave

With educational leave, you have the chance to take a break from work and focus entirely on your studies or further education for up to a year. If you meet the requirements, you will receive continuous education benefits from the AMS (Public Employment Service Austria) during this period. 

What do you need to do to make your studies happen? First, your employer needs to agree to your educational leave and release you for the duration of the further education. You can use educational leave for a minimum of 2 months and up to a maximum of 12 months within 4 years – and this can also be divided into segments of at least 2 months. 

How you can benefit from educational leave

  • Financial support: You will receive continuing education benefits equivalent to unemployment benefits. 

  • Time for personal development: You can fully concentrate on your further education for up to a year. 

  • Flexibility in additional earnings: While you study, you can earn up to a minor employment threshold. For earnings from education, you can even earn up to 1.5 times the minor employment threshold. 

Apply for your educational leave in 3 steps

Educational part-time

Study flexibly alongside your job with educational part-time

In educational part-time, you reduce your working hours to further your education. You will receive a wage replacement for the reduced hours. A prerequisite is that your employer is based in Austria. Good to know: You can use educational part-time for a minimum of 4 months and up to a maximum of 24 months within 4 years, and this can also be utilised in parts. 

How you benefit from educational part-time

  • Increased career opportunities: By combining your work experience with further education, you enhance your qualifications and open up new career prospects for yourself. 

  • Flexible time management: Educational part-time allows you to flexibly reduce your working hours and gain more time for yourself and your further education. 

  • Financial security: Reduce your working hours by 25-50% and continue working at least 10 hours per week while receiving a wage replacement for the hours not worked. 

Apply for your educational part-time in 3 steps

Comparison

Educational leave or educational part-time: Which option is right for you?

Whether educational leave or educational part-time is more suitable for you depends on your individual situation. Here is a small overview to help you make your decision. 

Educational leave

Requirements:

  • Employer’s approval 

  • Ongoing employment relationship 

  • Meeting the requirements for continuing education benefits

Advantages:

  • Full focus on your further education 

  • Pause your full-time job for up to 12 months (also in segments) 

  • Financial support through continuing education benefits equivalent to unemployment benefits 

Educational part-time

Requirements:

  • Employer’s approval 

  • Minimum employment duration of 6 months 

  • Meeting the requirements for part-time continuing education benefits  

Advantages: 

  • Reduced working hours by 25-50% 

  • Financial security through part-time salary 

  • Wage replacement per reduced hour 

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Do you need help with your decision? Your personal study advisor is happy to help you!

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