Presenting authors and co-authors with email addresses and affiliations: Tatjana Atanasoska, University of Wuppertal; Helena Deiß, University of Vienna; Michelle Proyer, University of Vienna Abstract: Since 2015, but especially in the two years after, many young refugees (accompanied and unaccompanied) fled to Austria to escape war and build a life here. All these young people entered the Austrian educational system at some point or another: Either in compulsory schooling (when younger than 15 years old) or in German language courses (especially for those older than 16 years, Atanoska & Proyer 2016). In this qualitative interview study, we conducted individual interviews with refugees (many with Afghani background) and group interviews with refugees who were older than 15 years. Therefore, all of these young people were dependent on educational provision outside (compulsory) schooling, meaning formal schooling, in Austria. Using qualitative content analysis, this paper presents results that reflect the young people’s experiences with and expectations regarding education. With the background of schooling in their home countries, the students compare and evaluate their position and their possibilities in Austria. In many ways, the young people express their wish, but also the need for learning, and their hope for a new and better life that they associate with education. With restrictions for those beyond mandatory education, educational offers beyond formal offers will be elaborated, and their role and importance assessed in the light of current political implementations

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