2026

There was no major measure in this domain this year.

2025

Extension of initial teacher training from 3 to 4 years

In September 2025, the reformed initial teacher training programme will be launched. The bachelor's degree has been completely revised in terms of content and will now have a standard duration of four years instead of the previous three.

Changes to credit points for teaching qualifications

From 1 September 2025, changes will be introduced to the credit points required for the teaching qualifications “Lehrbefähigung Pädagogik” (CAP+) and “Pädagogischer Befähigungsnachweis” (CAP). These changes apply to the Autonome Hochschule (AHS). The adjustments have been made to better align the training with the needs of schools. As a result, the number of ECTS credits for the CAP will increase to 15, and for the CAP+ to 30.

2024

New bachelor's degree in social work 

Since 1 September 2024, the Autonome Hochschule (AHS) Ostbelgien has been offering a new bachelor's programme: the Bachelor in Social Work. Graduates of this three-year programme are entitled to use the protected professional title "social worker".

Extension of eligibility for DuO training grant 

The decree of 26 June 2023 establishing a fund for interest-free loans for apprentices, students, and pupils in shortage occupations enables financial support for individuals training in a recognised shortage profession. 

The promotion of public health and the right to as unrestricted access as possible to healthcare for all citizens have prompted an expansion of DuO training grant for shortage occupations in the healthcare sector. Given the wide variety of healthcare training programmes across different EU member states, DuO training grant is being extended to include EU-wide recognised qualifications in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Training courses in general nursing, midwifery, and pharmacy have been added as programmes eligible for the interest-free loan. For these professions, Directive 2005/36/EC sets out uniform minimum training requirements. The directive ensures a certain quality of education and allows for better comparability. Annex V of the same EU directive lists all diplomas from member states that meet these minimum requirements and thus benefit from automatic recognition in other EU member states.

The extension of eligibility for DuO training grant came into effect on 1 July 2024.