and Master degrees (of 3 years and 1–2 years respectively). In some fields, it is still not clear how this will be made compatible with the traditional requirements necessary to enter a regulated profession. The debate on reform Debates about educational policy in Austria frequently are the result of different perspectives related to the strengths and weaknesses of the traditional education system. Proponents of the two-track secondary system, for example, defend it as performance oriented and criticize the leveling of achievement or lowering of standards the introduction of a single compulsory middle school would involve. Conversely, opponents of the two-track system criticize its rigidity and inherent absence of equal opportunity. Consequently, such bipolar terms as performance and leveling, elite and mass education, and achievement and equal opportunity prevail in educational debates. In some , Austrians of different political and educational policy persuasions may expect too many different things from one university system. They expect it to provide general education, as do state university systems in the United States, and “Ivy League” performance at the same time. ''This page incorporates material from Austria: Country Studies Federal Research Division. See also See also Open access in Austria References External links Austrian Education system Doctoral education in Austria Information on education in Austria, OECD - Contains indicators and information about Austria and how it compares to other OECD and non-OECD countries Diagram of Austrian education system, OECD - Using 1997 ISCED classification of programmes and typical ages. Also in German