Study in Austria
If you wander around the streets of any Austrian city, you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time as you start to experience that fairy tale vibe. Austria has a unique charm making every visitor marvel at its beauty. As a student in Austria, you won’t just enjoy the country’s numerous beauties; you’ll also study at one of the universities offering excellent academic options.
One of the countless advantages of studying and living in Austria is being within one of the safest countries in the world and enjoying a high quality of life.
You can discover Austria’s incredible culture and history, if once you attend the diverse social events held in any of its major cities. From art exhibitions to concerts, theatre performances, and the famous balls – you can find pretty much anything.
Austria is also the perfect destination for outdoor sports fanatics. The Austrian Alps are the perfect setting for skiing, hiking and climbing.
Find your perfect study degree in Austria!
The great number of high-quality education institutions, a long academic tradition and an open-minded learning atmosphere make Austria an easy choice for students who are seeking an international education.
Austrian universities, as well as Austrian cities, have a high multicultural environment; so it is easy for foreign students to adjust here. Study degrees are either research-focused or they include practical exercises in order to develop your problem-based learning skills. Austrian universities partner with many of the local research centres that conduct projects in quantum physics, biomedicine, nanotechnologies, communications, and environmental technologies.
Why study in Austria
1. It’s super affordable and in some cases free
Public universities in Austria are free for all EU and EEA citizens; international students only pay around 1,500 EUR per academic year. At universities of applied sciences (UAS), tuition rates vary between 365 and 7,500 EUR depending on the study programme and your nationality.
2. You’ll live in a safe and secure environment
Austria is one of the safest countries in the world, enjoying a low crime rate and a high standard of living and social security. In a world full of political and military tensions, armed conflicts, and violent protests, you won’t have many worries while living in Austria.
3. High quality of life
If you choose Austria, you’ll have the opportunity to study and live in Vienna, which has been ranked as the city with the highest quality of life for 10 years in a row! Everything from transport to accommodation, from student services to administrative support, from salaries to job outlook is excellent.
4. Austria is an artistic and cultural hub
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt — do we need to say more? Austria also has a long list of museums and galleries which are a must-see for any visitor.
5. There’s a sport for everybody
If you’re into sports, you should feel right at home in Austria. There’s something for everybody! And if you haven’t found your preferred activity, don’t give up. You can choose from football, alpine skiing, hockey, swimming, mountain-biking, etc.
Universities and colleges to attend in Austria
Austria is home to over 50 higher educational institutions, divided as follows:
- 22 public universities (including research universities and universities of arts)
- 21 universities of applied sciences
- 13 private universities
Examples of universities in Austria we recommend:
- Central European University (CEU)
- WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business)
- University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria
- FH Kufstein Tirol – University of Applied Sciences
- Vienna School of International Studies
What is it like to study in Austria
The general atmosphere in an Austrian university is quite relaxed and professors are always willing to help students, answer their questions and make sure they understand everything they are learning.
Students get to work in small teams during seminars and team projects, giving students a huge advantage, while they understand new information easier and faster. Additionally, students can engage in active discussions and can present their own point of view.
International offices within the universities often organise trips to nearby cities and surroundings, helping international students adjust to a new country and culture.
What to study in Austria
As music and arts have had a major influence upon Austria’s culture and traditions, you can expect many universities and academies to provide a large number of study programmes devoted to these fields. However, you can also find plenty of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in numerous fields, from Business Administration, Computer Science, to Languages, Political Science, Psychology, and Engineering.
Here are some of the most popular study options in Austria
- Masters in Marketing in Austria
- Masters in International Business in Austria
- Masters in Computer Sciences in Austria
- Masters in Electrical Engineering in Austria
Major cities in Austria
Vienna is home to the largest number of universities in Austria. Other cities in Austria that house a variety of universities or academies are Graz, Salzburg, Linz, Graz and Innsbruck.
Highly urban cities like Vienna and Linz have numerous cultural attractions, with museums, theatres, bars and restaurants, to fulfil your active social life.Instead, in cities like Innsbruck or Salzburg that are surrounded by mountains, you can mostly spend your free time in the middle of nature, hiking or skiing during the winter.
Find out more about what it’s like to study in Vienna.
How to apply
For most universities in Austria, you can simply apply online by submitting the application form along with all requested application documents. However, it is always recommended that you check with your chosen university, as in some cases, you will also have to send documents by post. Here are a few important steps to keep in mind:
- Carefully check all the required application documents and make sure they are all translated into English or German. For instance, an internationally recognised Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is the main requirement when enrolling in a Master’s degree at a university in Austria.
- Make sure to know what the language requirements are, and whether you need to prove skills in English before enrolling in a degree programme.
- Show how you performed as a student, and be sure to know what your Grade Point Average (GPA) was during your studies.
- To help your chances of going to Austria, be sure to apply to more than one university!
Make sure you qualify for an Austrian university
Take Preparation Courses
These kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programmes.
Try a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice.
Improve your English through an English-language prep course
If you’re attending a degree programme in Austria, you will sometimes need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.
Study in Austria
If you wander around the streets of any Austrian city, you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time as you start to experience that fairy tale vibe. Austria has a unique charm making every visitor marvel at its beauty. As a student in Austria, you won’t just enjoy the country’s numerous beauties; you’ll also study at one of the universities offering excellent academic options.
One of the countless advantages of studying and living in Austria is being within one of the safest countries in the world and enjoying a high quality of life.
You can discover Austria’s incredible culture and history, if once you attend the diverse social events held in any of its major cities. From art exhibitions to concerts, theatre performances, and the famous balls – you can find pretty much anything.
Austria is also the perfect destination for outdoor sports fanatics. The Austrian Alps are the perfect setting for skiing, hiking and climbing.
Find your perfect study degree in Austria!
The great number of high-quality education institutions, a long academic tradition and an open-minded learning atmosphere make Austria an easy choice for students who are seeking an international education.
Austrian universities, as well as Austrian cities, have a high multicultural environment; so it is easy for foreign students to adjust here. Study degrees are either research-focused or they include practical exercises in order to develop your problem-based learning skills. Austrian universities partner with many of the local research centres that conduct projects in quantum physics, biomedicine, nanotechnologies, communications, and environmental technologies.
Why study in Austria
1. It’s super affordable and in some cases free
Public universities in Austria are free for all EU and EEA citizens; international students only pay around 1,500 EUR per academic year. At universities of applied sciences (UAS), tuition rates vary between 365 and 7,500 EUR depending on the study programme and your nationality.
2. You’ll live in a safe and secure environment
Austria is one of the safest countries in the world, enjoying a low crime rate and a high standard of living and social security. In a world full of political and military tensions, armed conflicts, and violent protests, you won’t have many worries while living in Austria.
3. High quality of life
If you choose Austria, you’ll have the opportunity to study and live in Vienna, which has been ranked as the city with the highest quality of life for 10 years in a row! Everything from transport to accommodation, from student services to administrative support, from salaries to job outlook is excellent.
4. Austria is an artistic and cultural hub
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt — do we need to say more? Austria also has a long list of museums and galleries which are a must-see for any visitor.
5. There’s a sport for everybody
If you’re into sports, you should feel right at home in Austria. There’s something for everybody! And if you haven’t found your preferred activity, don’t give up. You can choose from football, alpine skiing, hockey, swimming, mountain-biking, etc.
Universities and colleges to attend in Austria
Austria is home to over 50 higher educational institutions, divided as follows:
- 22 public universities (including research universities and universities of arts)
- 21 universities of applied sciences
- 13 private universities
Examples of universities in Austria we recommend:
- Central European University (CEU)
- WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business)
- University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria
- FH Kufstein Tirol – University of Applied Sciences
- Vienna School of International Studies
What is it like to study in Austria
The general atmosphere in an Austrian university is quite relaxed and professors are always willing to help students, answer their questions and make sure they understand everything they are learning.
Students get to work in small teams during seminars and team projects, giving students a huge advantage, while they understand new information easier and faster. Additionally, students can engage in active discussions and can present their own point of view.
International offices within the universities often organise trips to nearby cities and surroundings, helping international students adjust to a new country and culture.
What to study in Austria
As music and arts have had a major influence upon Austria’s culture and traditions, you can expect many universities and academies to provide a large number of study programmes devoted to these fields. However, you can also find plenty of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in numerous fields, from Business Administration, Computer Science, to Languages, Political Science, Psychology, and Engineering.
Here are some of the most popular study options in Austria
- Masters in Marketing in Austria
- Masters in International Business in Austria
- Masters in Computer Sciences in Austria
- Masters in Electrical Engineering in Austria
Major cities in Austria
Vienna is home to the largest number of universities in Austria. Other cities in Austria that house a variety of universities or academies are Graz, Salzburg, Linz, Graz and Innsbruck.
Highly urban cities like Vienna and Linz have numerous cultural attractions, with museums, theatres, bars and restaurants, to fulfil your active social life.Instead, in cities like Innsbruck or Salzburg that are surrounded by mountains, you can mostly spend your free time in the middle of nature, hiking or skiing during the winter.
Find out more about what it’s like to study in Vienna.
How to apply
For most universities in Austria, you can simply apply online by submitting the application form along with all requested application documents. However, it is always recommended that you check with your chosen university, as in some cases, you will also have to send documents by post. Here are a few important steps to keep in mind:
- Carefully check all the required application documents and make sure they are all translated into English or German. For instance, an internationally recognised Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is the main requirement when enrolling in a Master’s degree at a university in Austria.
- Make sure to know what the language requirements are, and whether you need to prove skills in English before enrolling in a degree programme.
- Show how you performed as a student, and be sure to know what your Grade Point Average (GPA) was during your studies.
- To help your chances of going to Austria, be sure to apply to more than one university!
Make sure you qualify for an Austrian university
Take Preparation Courses
These kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programmes.
Try a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice.
Improve your English through an English-language prep course
If you’re attending a degree programme in Austria, you will sometimes need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.
Study in Austria without IELTS
It is possible to study in Austria without IELTS in the following conditions:
- You have a higher impressive score in your last academic course or degree
- You can also provide other language proficiency scores like PTE, C1 Advanced, etc.
- You can opt for a German-taught course for which you will be asked for German langueg test like TestDaf, DSH, etc.
Austria Student Visa
In order to study in Austria, you need to have a residence/study visa or both. Its criteria can vary based on nationality. But before delving into the procedure to obtain the aforementioned documents, let us first understand the types of visas:
- For Non-EU students, If the course duration is less than six months, you need to apply only for a student visa. But if your course exceeds six months limit, you will have to get a residence permit too. Make sure that you get yourself registered with the registration office within 3 working days of arrival in Austria. Further, If you intend to stay in Austria for more than six months, you will need to apply for a residence permit.
- EU/EEA or Switzerland students don’t need any visa. All you need is valid health insurance and a budget to study in Austria. To stay for more than 90 days, you will have to get registered with municipal authority.
- For Interns: Since 2018, third-country students, who have been issued Visa D can apply for internships in Austria. Such applicants can work between 3-6 months in the country. To understand who qualifies as an “Intern”, you can click here.
- Those students who are studying a bachelor’s program can work up to 10 hours a week, and those who are doing masters can work up to 20 hours a week. Though this can vary based on the nationality and visa conditions.
Note: To get your visa, you will have to apply at the consulate or embassy before traveling to Austria. It may take 15 days to receive your student visa.
Documents Required
- Application form
- Passport size photographs
- Proof of financial ability
- Educational qualification proof
- A certification from the police that represents that you haven’t been into any criminal activity.
- Medical examination certificate
- Student pass
Entry Requirements to Study in Austria
To study in Austria you have to qualify the eligibility criteria which is required by the admission department of all the universities/ colleges. They are mentioned below.
- Fill the Application Form – The application form for the university you wish to study in can be downloaded from the university’s homepage. Interested candidates must fill in their personal information as well as the program they wish to study.
- Proof of Nationality – Candidates interested in applying to universities in Austria must provide their proof of nationality with a copy of official ID along with a photo. Candidates must also submit their valid travel documents
- University Entrance – There are different requirements for different programs.
- For Bachelor and Diploma Degree Courses: Candidates must submit copies of their Secondary School Examination or any other equivalent.
- For Master’s Program: Candidates applying for a Master’s program in Austria need to submit copies of their Bachelor’s degree and their Secondary School Examination mark sheet or any other equivalent.
- For Doctoral Studies: To get admission in a Doctoral studies program candidates will be required to submit copies of their master’s degree along with their bachelor’s degree.
- Entrance Exam – Certain universities will require students to sit for an entrance exam. These are mostly for courses like Universities of Arts or Medical Universities.
- German Speaking Certificate: Students may also require to provide a certificate stating that they know and understand the German language.