Education in Austria: Popular Universities and Areas of Studies

Austria consistently ranks near the top in the world rankings in terms of education.  Whether you stay to work in Austria after graduation or return to your home country – can advanced degree will make you a sought-after specialist in any country. In this blog you will learn more about education in Austria, popular universities and programs, the cost of studying and living in the country.

Education in Austria: top universities

In total, there are more than 70 accredited higher education institutions in Austria, which offer more than 2000 programs.

One of the most popular educational institutions for many years remains the University of Vienna. The oldest university in the country ranks 151 in the QS World University Rankings. About 50 bachelor’s programs and more than a hundred master’s programs are available to applicants.

Vienna University of Technology is ranked 179th in the world rankings. It is considered one of the best technical universities in Europe and is sought afterby those who seek an advanced degree in information and architectural technologies.

University of Innsbruck offers a variety of programs to choose from including: theology, marketing, mathematics, sports, architecture, and biology.

Medical University of Vienna is a major draw for students that are seeking the next steps in the field of medical science and technology. By the 21st century, it had become a major European research institute.

Vienna University of Economics and Business offers programs in business, economics, social sciences. This university is one of the most modern in Europe by choosing it to study abroad, you will gain advanced knowledge across a variety of sectors.

The high quality of teaching of natural and exact sciences in the country’s universities, high-quality legal education, as well as a large number of business education programs are noted. It’s not surprising that students who want to come to Austria for their next academic adventure.
Programs related to the tourism business are no less popular. As one of the European centers of tourism, Austria carefully trains specialists in this field. Such programs are implemented, for example, at the private university MODUL.

Education in Austria: cost and scholarships for international students 

The tuition fee varies from €350 to €750 per semester at public universities. The cost of studying at private universities usually ranges from €3,000 to €12,000 per semester.

Austria has a relatively small number of scholarships and grants for international students. 

Scholarships are offered in master’s and doctoral programs, their main purpose is to finance promising research. 

For example, the Central European University (CEU) offers scholarships that fully cover the cost of education to those who want to develop in the fields of social sciences and humanities.

The Erasmus+ offers free tuition at the University of Vienna and a scholarship. This is an academic exchange program, it does not involve long-term study at the university. 

There are scholarships to support diverse groups. So, women studying mathematics and computer science can receive funding that will cover the cost of a year’s education.

Education in Austria: languages of education and preparatory courses

Studying at Austrian universities is possible in both German and English. Undergraduate studies in most cases take place in German.

You can find English-language programs at the University of Vienna, IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems, Fachhochschule Wiener Neustadt, Management Center Innsbruck, Webster Vienna Private University, Vienna University of Economics and Business and many other institutions. Most often, master’s programs are taught in English, but there are English-language programs for bachelors as well.

You can enter universities in Austria without knowing German perfectly. If the applicant receives an invitation from the university, they are given the opportunity to take preparatory courses to tighten their language skills. The preparatory courses start in August and January, so it is important to remember that you need to arrive in the country in advance to register for them. On average, such courses can cost about €340 per semester.

Documents for admission

The academic year in the country usually begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. During the year, applicants have two opportunities to enroll – in the first and in the second semester (from March 1).

Preparation of documents and waiting for answers may take a long time. Therefore, it is important to plan your submission in advance. It is necessary to prepare a package of documents, translate it into German, certify all documents and, if necessary, apostille.

The package of documents includes:

• a document confirming the applicant’s level of education;
• identification card;
• transcript of grades for the last academic year;
• motivation letter;
• photo of the applicant;
• bank receipt with payment for the first semester of study;
• certificate that the applicant could study in the chosen specialty at the university of their country (Nachweis der besonderen Universitätsreife);
• a certificate confirming the level of proficiency in German.

To study at the preparatory courses, you will need a certificate confirming your knowledge of German at A2 level. To study for a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree, a certificate confirming knowledge of the language at the C1 level is desirable.

Also, in some cases, you may need a letter of recommendation, CV or additional certificates of your achievements.

The cost of living in Austria

After entering an Austrian university, you obtain room and board in a dormitory. The cost starts at €300, you do not need to pay for utilities separately. It is necessary to pay a damage deposit, these funds will be returned later.

If you want to rent an apartment, you need to pay a commission to an intermediary and leave the designated amount as a deposit. The price of an apartment depends on the area of location, usually it is at least twice as expensive as a hostel. It is most cost-efficient to look for an apartment from a private renter.

The cost of an annual travel card starts from €210. It can be purchased by students who have not yet turned 26 years old.

Also, students must have health insurance. In 2023, a student can apply for a policy in a state-owned company for €67.

Foreign students can cover part of their living expenses with part-time work. Students in Austria have the right to work up to 20 hours a week. 

Do you want to study in Austria?

We will help you to choose the universities and programs with the greatest chance of admission. We will draw up the necessary documents for universities and help you write strong motivational and recommendation letters. With our help, your application will be competitive.