Study in Austria
If you're looking to study at a university in Austria, you will find a range of education choices, blending rigorous academics with a rich cultural heritage. 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 in one of the safest countries in the world and enjoying a high quality of life. No wonder, Austria is one of the best countries to study abroad in Europe.
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
Where to study 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.
English-language tests
There are over 200 English-taught programmes in Austria.
Universities in Austria will want to see proof that you have good English-language skills, so that you can easily succeed in their courses. Almost all Austrian universities accept these official English exams:
- PTE Academic
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- C1 Advanced
Living in Austria
Let's take a closer look at tuition and living expenses in Austria:
Tuition fees in Austria
At public universities in Austria, students from EU and EEA countries study free of charge. Non-EU/EEA students pay 1,452 EUR per year.
Things are a little different at universities of applied sciences (UAS):
- EU/EEA students pay 363 EUR per semester
- Non-EU/EEA students pay between 727 and 7,500 EUR per semester
Private universities can set their own tuition fees and you should expect higher tuition compared to public universities. Costs usually vary between 3,000 and 23,000 EUR per year, with some Business programmes costing over 35,000 EUR per year.
Accommodation costs
Most universities in Austria don’t provide any student accommodation, so you will have to choose between student residence halls or renting/sharing an apartment.
Prices for a room in a student residence is usually between around 200–400 EUR/month for a single room. If you choose to rent an apartment, rates are over 400 EUR/month.
Find out more about tuition and living costs in Austria
Healthcare
EU/EEA students enjoy the same benefits as Austrian citizens in terms of access to free or reduced-cost healthcare. To benefit from these services, you should hold an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). You can arrange for an EHIC card from your home country, before your departure to Austria.
Students coming from some non-EU countries might benefit from free medical care due to reciprocal agreements with Austria. If this is not the case, you will need to arrange private health insurance before your departure to Austria.
Food costs
Supermarkets in Austria don’t have expensive prices. In fact, your monthly groceries would lead up to 200–250 EUR. The average price of meals at local pubs or restaurants is about 10 EUR. In touristic areas, prices for a meal range between 11 and 18 EUR, adding another 4 EUR for a drink.
In Austria, the overall living costs for students are 900–1,300 EUR/month.
About Austria
Austria is situated in Central Europe and is bordered by Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy. Since Austria is not a particularly big country, you can easily take a trip to one of its border countries by train or by car.
Austria is one of the most economically-developed countries in Europe. The most important industrial branches include the food industries, the machine and steel industry, chemical and vehicle industry and the electric and electronic industry.
The Alps Mountains cover most of the country and Austrian ski resorts are famous worldwide. The weather in Austria is temperate and you’ll experience all four seasons, with cold and snowy winters and exquisitely warm summers.
Austrian culture is an eclectic mix of German, Italian, Hungarian and Czech elements. This unique character can be seen everywhere in the people’s personality, food, and even the city architecture.
German is the official and most spoken language, but you don’t have to worry if you don’t speak German. Most people in Austria speak English quite well.
Iconic places to visitAustria’s natural wonders along with its Baroque style buildings making it a fascinating place, amazing every visitor who comes through. The scenic beauty of the Alpes draws tourists during any season, while Vienna and Salzburg are stepped in history, and a simple walk on the streets of these cities reveals essential details of Austria’s culture.
Emblematic sites worth seeing in Austria are:
- The Vienna Hofburg: Austria's Imperial Palace
- Schonbrunn Palace
- Melk Benedictine Abbey
- The Sisi Museum
- Krimmler Ache: Austria's Tallest Waterfalls
- Hallstatt and the Giant Ice Cave
- Hohensalzburg Castle
- Vienna State Opera
- The name Austria derives from a Germanic word ‘austro’, meaning ‘east’.
- Every day during lunch time, Austrians take a small break and enjoy their daily coffee and cake.
- The world's largest emerald is located in the Imperial Treasury of the Hofburg (Imperial Palace) in Vienna.
- Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, was Austrian.
- Austria has been home to many famous composers, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Johann Strauss, and Joseph Haydn.
- The founder of the German sports car company 'Porsche' was Austrian and his name was Ferdinand Porsche. He also designed the Volkswagen (the "people's car").
- Austrians have a long tradition in cake baking and still today, every town and city compete to produce the finest cakes.
Universities, colleges and schools in Austria
Dornbirn
- University of Liechtenstein (3 Masters)
Graz
- FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences (26 Masters)
- Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) (18 Masters)
- University of Graz (17 Masters)
Hagenberg im Mühlkreis
- University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (19 Masters)
Innsbruck
- University of Innsbruck (12 Masters)
- MCI - The Entrepreneurial School® (12 Masters)
- Ulysseus European University (2 Masters)
Kapfenberg
- FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences (26 Masters)
Klagenfurt am Wörthersee
- University of Klagenfurt (14 Masters)
Krems an der Donau
- Danube Private University (DPU) (3 Masters)
- Danube University Krems (19 Masters)
- IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems (7 Masters)
Kufstein
Leoben
- Montanuniversität Leoben (16 Masters)
- EIT RawMaterials Academy (1 Master)
Linz
- Johannes Kepler University Linz (22 Masters)
- University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (19 Masters)
Salzburg
- Salzburg University of Applied Sciences (7 Masters)
- University of Salzburg (17 Masters)
- Alma Mater Europaea - ECM (1 Master)
Sankt Pölten
- St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences (3 Masters)
Spittal an der Drau
- Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (9 Masters)
Steyr
- University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (19 Masters)
Vienna
- Central European University (CEU) (33 Masters)
- University of Vienna (38 Masters)
- WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) (19 Masters)
- Centre international de formation européenne - CIFE (1 Master)
- University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna (3 Masters)
- Jam Music Lab University (2 Masters)
- University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna (2 Masters)
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (21 Masters)
- University of L´Aquila (1 Master)
- Vienna University of Technology (19 Masters)
- Modul University Vienna (4 Masters)
- Sigmund Freud University (1 Master)
- Webster Vienna Private University (3 Masters)
- Vienna School of International Studies (4 Masters)
- The University of Law (1 Master)
- University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien (2 Masters)
- Lauder Business School (4 Masters)
- FH Campus Wien (2 Masters)
- EIT Manufacturing Master and Doctoral School (2 Masters)
- University of Applied Arts Vienna (3 Masters)
- Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (2 Masters)
- Medical University of Vienna (8 Masters)
Villach
- Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (9 Masters)
Wels
- University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (19 Masters)
Wiener Neustadt
- University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt (3 Masters)
Interested in scholarships for Austria? Check out our scholarship search page.
How to Apply to a Master's in Austria
If you've decided to study a Master's degree at a university in Austria, you will have to gather the right documents to prove that you fit the university requirements. Provide complete personal information, previous qualifications, financial information, and a personal statement.
What documents do I need to provide to apply in Austria?
To apply to a university in Austria you will likely be asked to provide some of the following documents:
- birth certificate;
- recent photos;
- your passport or national identity card;
- one or more reference letters from past employers or teachers;
- copies of past diplomas or certificates, including your graduated Bachelor's degree;
- academic transcripts;
- letter of intent;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Some form of proof that you can support your stay in the country during your studies.
Depending on the subject or specialization of your chosen Master's, you might also be asked to provide scores for additional tests like the GRE, GMAT or LSAT. Check if your programme requires any of these, or others.
The list of documents depends on the specific requirements of universities in Austria so you might be asked to include additional documents. It’s also likely you’ll have to provide official English translations of your documents, or translations in the local language.
Prove your English skills
Because you’ll study an international degree in English, you'll have to present a language certificate. Some popular options for international students are IELTS, TOEFL or C1 Advanced language certificates. You’ll have to meet a minimum language score set by the university, and your test scores shouldn’t be older than 1-2 years. If you don’t meet the minimum language requirements, you will have to improve your skills and scores by taking an English preparation course.
Application deadlines for Austria
The deadlines for applying to a Master's in Austria are usually during summer (June-July), or in winter (January-February). Keep in mind that some universities don’t have application deadlines, which means you can apply whenever you are ready.
To avoid delays or missed deadlines send your required documents with plenty of time in advance.