Austria's education policy: Academic titles losing value

Austria's tertiary education system faces criticism for its excessive number of universities and universities of applied sciences, a situation fueled by the self-interest of federal states seeking to create more positions. The article suggests that the ongoing debate about budget cuts has been overshadowed by discussions concerning the salaries of university rectors.

An analysis by the think tank Agenda Austria indicates that Austria has the second-most expensive university system in the EU, a situation reminiscent of its school system, which also exceeds the OECD average in spending. A guest commentary in "Der Standard" further points to a recent development: an overabundance of universities, questioning the necessity of institutions like a medical university in Oberwart or a university of applied sciences in every municipality.

The expansion of higher education, exemplified by the establishment of the Digital University in Linz in 2021, shortly before state elections, is seen as driven by political motives rather than academic need. This proliferation has led to a "bagatellization" of academic training, where the pursuit of "full academization" from kindergarten to specialized studies has devalued bachelor's degrees.

The author argues that the tertiary education system requires significant restructuring and downsizing. The ambition of federal states to establish more universities and colleges is driven by the potential for appointing additional personnel, which has contributed to the devaluation of academic qualifications. The trend towards "full academization" has, in effect, diminished the value of a bachelor's degree.