collage- FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences
Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) per semester
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) per semester
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
Graduate Tuition Fee Link
Founded in 1989 as the Technical School of Vorarlberg, the university has progressed into an institution that provides practice-linked degrees. To date, its 1,300 students major in bachelor and master’s programs that focus on Business, Design, Engineering, and Social Work.
FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences is a free tuition university in Austria, which attracts many international students. In addition, the university continues to attract international students with its long list of scholarships and financial grants.
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) for students of designated developing countries to EUR 726.72 (~$875) per semester
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) for students of designated developing countries to EUR 726.72 (~$875) per semester
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
Graduate Tuition Fee Link
The university, which is also known as BOKU, was founded in 1872 as a research center for renewable resources. Currently, it specializes in the fields of Engineering, Natural Science, Biotechnology, Economics, and Social Science.
The 11,200+ strong BOKU student population are immersed in the school’s 8 bachelor’s and 28 MSc programs. A good percentage comes from foreign backgrounds, who have taken hold of the school’s cheap tuition and many grant offerings.
- University of Vienna
Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) for students of designated developing countries to EUR 746.92 (~$900) per semester
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) for students of designated developing countries to EUR 746.92 (~$900) per semester
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
Graduate Tuition Fee Link
Known in German as the Universität Wien, this Vienna-based institution is the oldest in the German-speaking world. The University of Vienna is one of the cheapest universities in Austria for international students with a tuition fee of up to $900 per semester. Founded in the year 1365 by Duke Rudolph, it is modeled after the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris. Given its long and illustrious history, it is considered one of the most reputable European universities – especially in the field of Humanities.
To date, the university offers 55 bachelor’s, 110 master’s, and 13 doctoral programs through its 15 faculties. While most lessons are taught in German, some of them are offered in English to attract students from all around the world. This technique has been more than effective, with 28% of the university’s 32,000+ strong students coming from various parts of the globe.
- Medical University of Vienna
Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) for students of designated developing countries to EUR 746.92 (~$900) per semester
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) for students of designated developing countries to EUR 746.92 (~$900) per semester
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
Graduate Tuition Fee Link
The Medizinische Universität Wien, a free university in Austria, was established in 2004 as the successor of the University of Vienna’s Faculty of Medicine. Despite its year of founding, its roots make it the second-oldest medical faculty after the Charles University of Prague.
As one of the best medical schools in Europe, it is known for its competitive admission – accepting only about 9% of its 8,000 applicants to its programs. These are Medicine, Dentistry, MA in Medical Informatics, and a Ph.D. in Applied Medical Science.
Despite having only about 7,500 students, the Medical University of Vienna is home to a lot of foreigners. In fact, 30% of its population comes from various countries all around the world.
- University of Salzburg
Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) for students of designated developing countries to EUR 746.92 (~$900) per semester
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) for students of designated developing countries to EUR 746.92 (~$900) per semester
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
Graduate Tuition Fee Link
The University of Salzburg, which is based in the fourth-largest city in Austria, was founded in the year 1622. It is named after its founder, the Prince-Archbishop Paris Lodron.
Closed in 1810 and re-established in the year 1962, the university is home to around 18,000 students – 38% of which come from different countries across the globe. These international students are educated in the four faculties of the university, namely Law, Cultural & Social Science, Natural Science, and Catholic Theology.
- TU Wien
Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) for students of designated developing countries to EUR 746.92 (~$900) per semester
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) for students of designated developing countries to EUR 746.92 (~$900) per semester
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
Graduate Tuition Fee Link
Technische Universität Wien, formerly the Vienna University of Technology, is a major institution founded in the year 1815. True to its’ name, the school is best known for its computer science, engineering, and natural science courses.
As with most Austrian universities, TU Wien is known for its conducive environment for international students. To date, 30% of the school’s 10,400+ students come from various foreign backgrounds.
- University of Applied Arts Vienna
Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) for students of designated developing countries to EUR 746.92 (~$900) per semester
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 20.20 (~$25) for students of designated developing countries to EUR 746.92 (~$900) per semester
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
Graduate Tuition Fee Link
We end our list of free universities in Austria with the University of Applied Arts Vienna. Known colloquially as the Die Angewandte, the University of Applied Arts Vienna is an institution that specializes in the arts. Founded in 1867 and granted university status in 1970, the predecessor of the Vienna School of Arts & Crafts has produced many influential artists throughout the years.
Study And Work In Austria For International Students
Living in Austria – Postgraduate Guide
Did you know Ferdinand Porsche, who started the eponymous car company and designed the first Volkswagen, was Austrian – as is Arnold Schwarzenegger?
In addition to being one the countries with the highest number of Nobel prizes per capita, Austria has been a bastion of cultural and intellectual excellence. This is reflected in its cities and universities.
Austria also boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe which is at odds with the fact that most Austrians work a 40-hour week or more! All in all, not so bad for a country yet to be fully discovered as a study abroad destination.
On this page you can find out what it’s like to live abroad as an international Masters student in Austria – including advice on accommodation, student living costs and work permits.
For information on Austrian, universities, Masters degrees, application requirements and student visas, see our full guide to studying a Masters in Austria.
Or, if you’d like to get hunting for a specific Masters in Austria, you can use our course search.
What’s it like to study abroad in Austria?
Compared to other countries, Austria boasts a very leisurely lifestyle. Here you will find a wonderful work-life balance, which will allow you plenty of time to explore some of the wonderful things that Austria has to offer.
Cultural scene
As a student in Austria, the cities you’ll most likely be frequenting include some of the world’s most renowned cultural capitals such as Vienna and Graz.
The more refined and classical student can enjoy the birthplace of Mozart in Vienna, with architectural monuments like the St. Stephen’s Cathedral or the Schönbrunn Palace providing key inspirational locations.
For the more outgoing student, the city of Graz boasts an excellent cultural myriad of architecture, museums and art galleries, particularly the “Friendly Alien” Art centre. The nightlife is also buzzing with a popular mixture of clubs, restaurants and bars to suit every taste.
Leisurely lifestyle
In Austria, business hours are more restricted, meaning that there is plenty of time for relaxing after-work drinks – though a little less available time to spend shopping, as most shops are closed on Sundays.
Those working in Austria boast excellent working conditions, with high-quality perks such as double-pay systems in the summer and Christmas periods.
For many locals, time for leisure also means time to get active. In the summer, lake swimming and bike-rides are popular activities, while in the winter many take up skiing. Basketball, ice hockey, and football are also extremely popular.
Great taste
Food in Austria also follows the seasonal patterns, with fruit such as asparagus on the markets in spring, strawberries in the summer, and apples and pumpkins in autumn. Austrians pride themselves on local produce, and though most of it is grown organically, it is priced very cheaply. You will often find that meats are also sourced from local farmers, and often include their name on the produce.
Traditional Austrian dishes include Wiener Schnitzel – meat such as chicken flattened and fried in breadcrumbs – and Apfelstrudel, a pastry jacket filled with apple, served as both a sweet and a savoury dish.
Central location
Being in a central European location, Austria is also a perfect location for visiting other Europeans countries. And the bonus is, you can easily visit these places by train, which is much cheaper than air travel.
Search for a Masters in Austria
Ready to start looking for your ideal study abroad opportunity? Browse and compare Masters degrees in Austria on FindAMasters.com
Accommodation
Finding a place to live from abroad can sometimes be difficult. You probably won’t be able to see the accommodation, you cannot be guaranteed of the standards of the accommodation, and you won’t be able to sign the lease in person (which is a requirement in some letting agencies).
One way to get around this is to make temporary accommodation arrangements for the first few weeks after your arrival in Austria. Alternatively, you can try contacting your university’s international office in advance and asking for assistance. Even if they don’t provide postgraduate student accommodation (as is likely to be the case) they may still be able to provide or recommend an approved list of local landlords.
In most cases your long-term options for accommodation in Austria will consist of dedicated student housing or a private rental.
The best option for you may actually depend on your course. If you are studying a one-year Masters at a Fachhochschule you may find that student accommodation is ideal (assuming your university offers it). If your program is longer you may find prospective flatmates for your second year during your first (much as undergraduate students often do in countries like the UK).
Student housing (halls of residence and dormitories)
Universities in Austria do not often have accommodation for students. Instead, non-Austrian students can apply for student accommodation in student residences managed by the OeAD Housing Office (a subsidiary of the Austrian agency for international mobility and cooperation in education, science and research).
Accommodation of this type is in short supply so you are advised to apply as soon as possible. You can do so online via the OeAD database.
Before your application for housing is considered you will have to pay a deposit. Exact amounts vary, but the deposit will generally amount to a maximum of two months accomodation fee– make sure you send enough funds to cover this! Banks may also charge a fee for transactions taking place outside of Austria.
The OeAD manages a range of properties with different kinds of accommodation ranging from €295-1280 each month. Some universities have negotiated a quota of rooms for their own students so make sure you mention at which university you are going to study when applying.
Privately-managed student dormitories are also available. For a list of those in the city of your choice, check your institution’s website.
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