Austrian Universities: Studying in Austria and Application Procedures
Austrian Universities: Studying in Austria and Application Procedures
Austrian universities offer undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in many fields such as medicine, law, engineering, arts, social sciences and economics. University education in Austria not only develops students academically but also attaches importance to their personal development.
There are 21 public universities in Austria, including 3 medical universities, 6 art schools, 3 technical universities and 9 large campus universities. 14 of the 21 public universities in Austria are among the most successful universities in international university rankings such as the QS World University Rankings.
According to data for 2023, of the over 400,000 students enrolled in Austrian universities, around 80,000 are international students. This means that around 20% of students studying at Austrian universities are international students. This number highlights how open Austria is to international students.
According to 2023 data from the Austrian National Statistical Institute, 22% of international students enrolled in Austrian universities study at universities of applied sciences and study in science departments. As part of the 2023 International Student Satisfaction Awards, the satisfaction rating of Austrian universities was determined as 8.7 out of 10 based on the comments shared by approximately 10,000 international students.
Studying in Austria offers international students the opportunity for both professional and personal development, with the high quality of education at universities and a rich culture in the heart of Europe.
What is University Education Like in Austria?
The university system in Austria is not connected to a central higher education institution and university registrations are made entirely by each university's own student admission system. In Austria, university applications are made directly to universities by prospective students. Students who want to receive university education in Austria apply to the universities they want to enroll in and the universities accept students who meet their own criteria.
Universities providing education in Austria are divided into four main groups: public universities, private universities, universities of applied sciences and universities for teacher training.
Austrian universities offer higher education programs at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels.
Austrian universities evaluate students’ success based on criteria such as course grades, academic projects they participate in, both academically and according to volunteer projects, social responsibility projects and social skills that students participate in to improve themselves outside of school. Austrian universities may request a letter of intent from prospective students during the application process and evaluate their communication skills and interest in the field they want to study through the letters of intent.
What are the Best Universities in Austria?
In the ranking of the best universities in Austria, well-established public universities stand out.
The best Austrian universities according to QS data for 2023 are listed below.
- University of Vienna, Vienna
- Vienna Technical University, Vienna
- Graz University of Technology, Graz
- University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck
- Johannes Kepler University, Linz
- Alpen-Adria University Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt
- University of Graz, Graz
- University of Salzburg, Salzburg
What is the education like at the University of Vienna?
The University of Vienna is located in the Innere Stadt district of Vienna, the capital of Austria. The University of Vienna was founded in 1365 by Duke Rudolph IV. According to the 2022 QS ranking, the University of Vienna ranks 151st in the world. According to 2022 data, the departments of the University of Vienna provide education to a total of 90,000 students.
According to the 2022 data of the University of Vienna, there are 27,162 international students out of 90,000 registered students, making 30% of the student population international. The University of Vienna offers undergraduate and graduate education with a total of 179 educational programs in 15 faculties, including basic sciences, social sciences, sciences, and health sciences. The fees for the University of Vienna are 747.42 Euros per semester for undergraduate and graduate students. The University of Vienna is among the universities that provide scholarships to its students within the scope of the Austrian Government Scholarship Program.
What is the education like at the Technical University of Vienna?
The Vienna Technical University has 6 campuses located in different parts of Vienna, including Karlsplatz, Getreidemarkt and Freihaus. The Vienna Technical University was founded in 1815 under the name "Royal Polytechnic Institute Vienna".
The Vienna Technical University world ranking is ranked 191st among the 250 most successful universities according to QS data for 2022. For the 2020-2021 academic year, the number of students enrolled at the Vienna Technical University was announced as 26,654 and the number of registered international students was announced as 8654. 32% of the Vienna Technical University students are international students.
The departments of the Vienna Technical University include a total of 50 different engineering and science institutes, primarily architecture, engineering, informatics and basic sciences. The semester registration fee for the Vienna Technical University master's and undergraduate programs is 745.92 Euros for international students from non-EU countries. The Vienna Technical University is among the universities that provide scholarships to their students within the scope of the Austrian Government Scholarship Program and supports their students with their own scholarship programs.
What is the education like at Graz University of Technology?
Graz University of Technology is located in Graz, the second largest city in Austria, and was founded by Archduke Johann in 1811. Graz University of Technology is ranked 277th in the QS rankings for 2022. According to the data for the 2020-2021 academic year, there are 13,673 students enrolled at Graz University of Technology.
According to data for the 2020-2021 academic year, 22.9% of the total number of students at Graz University of Technology are international students, and 3,130 international students are studying at the university.
Graz University of Technology's educational programs focus on the fields of material sciences, health and biotechnology, informatics and communications, manufacturing and sustainable systems, and a total of 7 faculties are located within the university.
The semester registration fee for undergraduate and graduate programs at Graz University of Technology is 726.72 Euros for citizens of non-EU countries. Graz University of Technology students can benefit from the university's scholarship programs and the Austrian Government Scholarship Program.
What is the Education Like at the University of Innsbruck, Austria?
The University of Innsbruck, full name Leopold-Franzens University Innsbruck, is located in the Austrian state of Tyrol. Founded in 1677, the university has become one of the most successful universities in Austria. While it was ranked 308th in the QS World University Rankings in 2023, this ranking dropped to 362nd in 2024.
The Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck was founded in 1677 and is considered one of the most prestigious universities in Austria. According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, the university is ranked 362nd worldwide (University of Innsbruck) (Top Universities). It is also ranked 301-350 in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 ranking. According to data for the 2023-2024 academic year, approximately 28,000 students study at the University of Innsbruck (Top Universities) (Wikipedia). 26% of these students are international students, meaning there are approximately 7,241 international students (Top Universities). The university offers a wide range of academic opportunities with 16 faculties and approximately 40 research centers
The University of Innsbruck offers undergraduate and graduate education in 16 faculties, including law, architecture, engineering, educational sciences and economics. Tuition fees for undergraduate and graduate programs at the University of Innsbruck are 726.72 Euros per semester for citizens of non-EU countries. The University of Innsbruck is among the universities that receive scholarships within the scope of the Austrian Government Scholarship Program.
Which Universities in Austria Provide English Instruction?
Austrian universities where the language of instruction is English are listed below.
- University of Vienna
- Vienna University of Technology
- Graz University of Technology
- University of Innsbruck
- Johannes Kepler University
- University of Klagenfurt
- Karl-Franzens University Graz
- Salzburg Paris London University
How Much Are University Registration Fees in Austria?
Austrian university registration fees are an average of 726.72 Euros per semester. Austrian university prices include the semester registration fee and the mandatory student union membership fee.
All students registered at Austrian universities are required to pay a student union membership fee of 20 Euros per semester. Austrian master's degree fees vary from school to school, but the average amount per semester is 726.72 Euros.
FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences is among the universities with low tuition fees in Austria; the semester registration fee amounts to 20 euros for bachelor's and master's programs.
The semester registration fee of the University of Natural Resources and Sciences, one of the universities with low registration fees in Austria, varies between 360 and 730 Euros for undergraduate and graduate programs.
Is it possible to get a free university education in Austria?
Free university education in Austria is available to students who are citizens of the European Union and Switzerland. For Turkish students, free university education in Austria is only available at Graz University of Technology, for other Austrian universities, a semester registration fee must be paid unless exempted by a scholarship program.
What are the Austrian University Scholarships for Foreign Students?
Austrian university scholarships for international students are listed below.
- CEU Scholarship Program
- Styria Energy Scholarship Program (Technical University Graz)
- Women Technology Producers Scholarship Program
- Graz University of Technology Scholarship Program
- Austrian Government Scholarship Program
To apply for Austrian university scholarships for foreign students, the applicant must have at least 12 years of educational background and must not be older than 35. Austrian university scholarships given to foreign students vary depending on the department they study; some scholarship programs provide scholarships to university students from all departments, while others only provide scholarships to students studying in certain departments.
The application requirements for the Austrian master's scholarship given to foreign students are that the applicant is not older than 35, has a bachelor's degree equivalent to that of an Austrian university, and is pursuing a master's degree in the field in which he/she received his/her undergraduate education.
How to Apply to University in Austria?
Austrian university applications are made by submitting the necessary documents directly to the university you want to enroll in. In order to apply to a university in Austria, you must first decide on the field you want to study in and the university you want to enroll in. When applying to a university in Austria, you must carefully examine the application criteria of the university and the relevant education program you will apply to and make sure that these criteria are met.
In Austria, the language of undergraduate education programs at universities is generally German. Applicants must meet the German language proficiency requirement of the relevant school and document this.
In order to apply to an Austrian university, the applicant must prove that he/she has the academic qualifications to attend a university in his/her own country. For an Austrian university application, the application documents requested by the university (passport copy, language proficiency certificate, high school diploma, etc.) must be prepared in German or English and submitted as specified by the school (via e-mail or post).
The documents required for Austrian university applications are accepted online by most universities, but there are universities that request that the documents be submitted by mail. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the instructions of the university to which the application will be made.
What are the Required Documents for University Application in Austria?
The documents required for university applications in Austria are listed below.
- Identity information: A photocopy of the applicant's passport or ID card must be submitted to prove his/her nationality and country of citizenship.
- Diploma: In order to prove that you are at a level that is academically capable of receiving university education, a high school diploma that is equivalent in Austria must be presented.
- German language proficiency certificate: Since the language of instruction at most universities in Austria is German, the applicant must submit a document proving that he/she has received German language training and his/her language proficiency level.
- Transcript: The applicant must submit a transcript showing the grades from the last year of education.
- Application form: The application form filled out by the applicant when applying to the university and the registration form filled out after being accepted must be submitted.
- Registration fee receipt: If the applicant is not exempt from the registration fee under any scholarship or similar program, the bank receipt showing that the school's semester registration fee has been paid must be presented; the bank receipt to be presented must include the applicant's name, surname, ID and passport number.
The requirements for studying at a university in Austria, such as application documents or application criteria, may vary depending on the university and study programme applied to.
Which Visa Should I Get to Study at University in Austria?
To study at a university in Austria, an Austrian student visa is required.
In order to study at a university in Austria, an acceptance letter must be obtained from the university to which the application is made. Students who want to study at a university in Austria must apply for an Austrian student visa at the Austrian visa application centers in person or through accredited agencies, with the acceptance letter from the university to which they applied and other visa documents .
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions frequently asked to our center by those who will study at a university in Austria are given below.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying at a university in Austria?
The advantages of studying at a university in Austria include the quality of life in Austria, the quality of education at Austrian universities, Austria's location in the center of Europe, and Austria's significant cultural heritage. Austria was named the "World's Most Livable Country" by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in 2018, while the capital Vienna was named the "World's Most Livable City" in 2018 and 2019 by the same institution.
Vienna is frequently preferred by students who want to study in Austria due to its low crime rate, developed economy, developed infrastructure and being home to many educational institutions. Studying in Austria gives students the opportunity to easily travel within Europe and experience different cultures.
The fact that Austrian universities are at the top of the world's university success rankings ensures that those who study at a university in Austria have a diploma that is recognized in many countries around the world after graduation.
The disadvantages of studying at a university in Austria are Austria's high tax rates and the high prices of real estate in Austria, such as houses, cars or house rents. Tax rates in Austria are quite high compared to most European countries, which causes students studying at a university in Austria to have high monthly food and personal expenses. House rents in Austria can be quite high, especially in the capital Vienna; instead of a house, renting a room or living in a university dormitory are the most preferred alternatives for students studying at a university in Austria.
What are the Most Applied Master's Programs in Austria?
The most applied master's programs in Austria are listed below.
- Marketing
- International business
- Computer sciences
- Electrical engineering
The University of Vienna, one of the most preferred and successful universities in Austria, offers graduate programs in English in some departments and in German in others. The German language requirement for graduate education in Austria for the University of Vienna or any university where the language of instruction is German is A2 level.
Students applying to master's programs in Austria must prepare their application documents in English or German.
Which Austrian Universities Can Erasmus Students Study At?
Austrian universities where Erasmus students can study are listed below.
- University of Vienna
- University of Salzburg
- University of Natural Resources and Sciences Vienna
- Vienna Technical University
- University of Graz
- University of Innsbruck
Application requirements for Austrian universities for Erasmus students may vary from school to school, and some universities may require students to know German at B2 level. Students who wish to study in Austria within the scope of the Erasmus program and are citizens of the Republic of Turkey must obtain an Austrian Erasmus visa .
What are the Best Universities for Medical Studies in Austria?
All students who want to apply to state universities for Austrian medical schools must take the medical school entrance exam called "MedAT" and receive a valid score. Vienna Medical School, one of the most preferred medical schools by students who want to receive medical education in Austria, is the 1st most successful medical school in Austria and the 41st most successful medical school in Europe.
The best universities for studying medicine in Austria are listed below.
- University of Vienna
- University of Innsbruck
- University of Graz
- Johannes Kepler University
- University of Salzburg
- University of Klagenfurt
- Austrian Institute of Science and Technology
- Sigmund Freud Private University Vienna
- St. Polten University of Science
What are the Monthly Expenses of University Students in Austria?
Monthly expenses for university students in Austria include accommodation, food, transportation and personal expenses.
In Austria, a university student's monthly food expenses are on average 250 euros, monthly accommodation expenses are on average 400 euros, and monthly transportation and personal expenses are on average 300 euros.
In Austria, the total cost of food, transportation, accommodation and personal expenses for university students is approximately 950 Euros per month.
Can I Work While Studying at University in Austria?
It is possible to work while studying at a university in Austria, but for foreign students, there are working hour limitations depending on the type of visa they have. Students who are citizens of a European Union country can work without a work permit while studying at a university in Austria; citizens of countries that are not members of the European Union must have a valid residence permit and a work permit.
Students who are citizens of the Republic of Turkey can work while studying in Austria by obtaining a work permit. For foreign students who want to work while studying in Austria, work permit applications are made by employers on behalf of the student. While studying in Austria, up to 20 hours of work per week is allowed; a student who works 20 hours per week in a part-time job can earn between 800 and 1000 Euros per month.
How Much Do Working College Students Earn in Austria?
University students working in Austria earn different amounts of money depending on the job they work in. One of the popular options for university students working in Austria is Saturday jobs, where a monthly salary is between 300 and 400 euros, while part-time jobs offer a monthly salary of between 800 and 1000 euros.
How Much Does Overseas Education Consultancy Fee in Austria?
The fee for Austrian education abroad consultancy varies depending on the type of education to be registered.
For those who want to study in Austria, the Austrian education consultancy fee is between 120 and 400 Euros.