01
High-Quality Education
Austrian universities rank among the best in Europe and the world.
Study destination
Study in Austria
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, known for its rich cultural heritage, historic cities, and breathtaking Alpine landscapes. With its high standard of living, excellent public services, and strong economy, Austria is also becoming a top destination for international students seeking quality education at affordable costs.
At a glance
Key facts
Everything you need to know about Austria before you start planning.
Official Name
Republic of Austria
Capital
Vienna
Language
German (English widely spoken)
Currency
Euro (€)
Population
~9 million
Top Cities
Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz
Int. Students
85,000+ (~26% of student pop)
Tuition Fees
€726.72/sem (public, non-EU)
Why this destination
Why study in Austria?
Discover the benefits of choosing Austria for your education.
02
Affordable Tuition Fees
Extremely low fees (€726.72/sem) at public universities for non-EU students.
03
Safe & Peaceful Environment
One of the safest countries with a very high standard of living.
04
Central European Location
Easy travel access to other European countries (Schengen Area).
Education system
How studying in Austria works
The levels of education and how your work is graded.
Levels of education
1
Bachelor's
3 years (180 ECTS)Undergraduate program
2
Master's
1–2 years (60-120 ECTS)Advanced specialization
3
Doctorate/PhD
3–4 yearsResearch-focused, requires a Master's degree
Grading system
Sehr Gut (Very Good)
Excellent (A / First Class)
Gut (Good)
Very Good (B / Upper Second)
Befriedigend (Satisfactory)
Good (C / Lower Second)
Ausreichend (Sufficient)
Pass (D)
Nicht Ausreichend (Fail)
Fail (F)
Essential guide
Costs & key aspects
Tuition, living costs, intakes and other essentials at a glance.
| Key aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Tuition Fees (Undergraduate) | €726.72 per semester (Public) |
| Annual Tuition Fees (Postgraduate) | €726.72 per semester (Public) |
| Estimated Monthly Living Costs | €800–1,200 (covers accommodation, food, transport, and utilities) |
| Part-Time Work Rights | Up to 20 hours/week during academic semesters, full-time during scheduled university vacations. |
| Post-Study Work Opportunity | Eligible graduates can apply for a Post-Study Work (PSW) or Job Seeker visa ranging from 1 to 3 years. |
| Main Admission Intakes | Primary intake in September/October (Autumn/Fall) and secondary intake in January/February (Winter). |
| English Proficiency Requirements | IELTS (6.0–6.5 average), TOEFL iBT (80–90+), or PTE Academic (58–65). Duolingo accepted by select universities. |
Entry requirements
What you need to get in
Academic and English language requirements for international students.
| Program level | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation / Pathway | Class 12th (10+2) with minimum 50%–60% marks from a recognized board. | IELTS 5.0–5.5 / TOEFL 60 / PTE 45 |
| Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) | Class 12th (10+2) with minimum 65%–85% aggregate marks in relevant subjects. | IELTS 6.0–6.5 / TOEFL 80+ / PTE 58+ |
| Postgraduate (Master’s) | Recognized Bachelor’s degree with 60%–75% aggregate marks (First/Second Class). | IELTS 6.5–7.0 / TOEFL 90+ / PTE 65+ |
| Doctoral (PhD / Research) | Master’s degree in a relevant discipline with strong research proposal and faculty mentorship. | IELTS 6.5–7.0+ / TOEFL 95+ / PTE 68+ |
Institutions
Types of institutions
Understanding the different kinds of universities and colleges available.
Public Universities
Offer a wide range of academic disciplines, research-oriented. Example: University of Vienna.
Universities of Applied Sciences (FH)
Focus on practical and career-oriented training. Often collaborate with industries.
Private Universities
Offer specialized programs, often in English. Usually have higher tuition fees.
Funding
Scholarships & aid
Financial aid opportunities for international students.
Ernst Mach Grant
€1,050/month + travel + health for Non-EU UG/PG/PhD students with academic excellence.
Helmut Veith Scholarship (TU Wien)
€6,000/year + full tuition waiver for female Computer Science students.
Erasmus+ Scholarships
€300–€600/month + travel for students enrolled in recognized exchange institutions.
University Merit Grants (e.g. Univ of Vienna)
€750–€1,500 based on high GPA and academic excellence.
MCI Innsbruck Scholarships
Up to 50% tuition waiver for UG/PG students based on merit or financial need.
Foundation of Austria
€1,050/month for Master/PhD research programs.
Intakes
When you can start
Admission cycles for international students in Austria.
Winter Intake
The primary intake for most international programs. Widest range of courses, scholarships, and seats are available.
Best for: Most undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs.
Summer Intake
Only a limited number of programs offer summer intakes. Not all institutions or faculties participate.
Best for: Students who missed the winter intake (subject to program availability).
Top universities
Where to apply
Leading universities in Austria, ranked by the QS World University Rankings.
| Rank (QS) | University | UG fees / year | PG fees / year | Popular courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #130 | University of Vienna | €726.72/semester | €726.72/semester | Humanities, Law, Social Sciences |
| #180 | TU Wien (Vienna Univ. of Tech.) | €726.72/semester | €726.72/semester | Engineering, CS, Architecture |
| #260 | University of Innsbruck | €726.72/semester | €726.72/semester | Natural Sciences, Physics |
| #320 | University of Graz | €726.72/semester | €726.72/semester | Medicine, Business, Law |
| #410 | Johannes Kepler University Linz | €726.72/semester | €726.72/semester | Business, IT, Engineering |
| #550 | University of Salzburg | €726.72/semester | €726.72/semester | Psychology, Arts, Theology |
| #200 (Field) | Medical University of Vienna | ~€15,000/year | ~€15,000/year | Medicine |
| #601-650 | Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) | €1,450-1,500/sem | €1,450-1,500/sem | MBA, Finance, Marketing |
| #501-510 | University of Klagenfurt | €726.72/semester | €726.72/semester | AI, Business |
| #601-650 | MCI Management Center Innsbruck | €6,000-€12,000/yr | €6,000-€12,000/yr | International Business, Tourism |
| - | University of Applied Sciences FH Joanneum | €1,500-€3,000/year | €1,500-€3,000/year | Media, Engineering |
| - | Salzburg UAS | €1,500-€3,000/year | €1,500-€3,000/year | Hospitality, IT |
*Fees vary by course. Tuition fees are per year for international students.
Admission requirements
Your application checklist
What you need to apply to universities in Austria.
General Requirements
High school diploma (UG), Bachelor's (PG), Transcripts, CV, SOP, Passport, Language certificate.
Language Requirements
English-taught: IELTS/TOEFL. German-taught: ÖSD, TestDaF.
Winter Intake Timeline
Apply: March/April. Deadline: July 15. Apply for Visa: by mid-August.
Summer Intake Timeline
Apply: Oct/Nov. Deadline: Jan 15. Apply for Visa: by February.
Careers
Career growth & post-study work
High-demand sectors and the work options open to you after graduation.
Red-White-Red Card – Job Seeker
After graduation, students can apply for a 12-month Job-Seeking Visa to find employment in Austria.
Engineering & Technology
- Outlook: High demand for Mech, Elec, Civil
- Roles / employers: Siemens, AVL, Voestalpine
€35k – €50k
IT & Computer Science
- Outlook: Software Devs, Cyber, AI
- Roles / employers: Microsoft Austria, SAP, IBM
€38k – €55k
Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Outlook: Doctors, Nurses, Bio-researchers
- Roles / employers: Vienna General Hospital, Novartis
€30k – €100k
Finance & Business
- Outlook: Analysts, Risk Managers
- Roles / employers: Raiffeisen Bank, Erste Group
€32k – €45k
Tourism & Hospitality
- Outlook: Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck hubs
- Roles / employers: Major Hotel Chains
€25k – €40k
Permanent residency
The road to PR
Austria provides a well-defined and structured transition from international student status to permanent residency and eventually citizenship.
1
From Student To Work Visa
Apply for a 12-month Job-Seeking Visa. Once you find a suitable job, apply for the Red-White-Red Card.
2
Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card)
Valid for 2 years. Requires a relevant job offer and minimum salary of ~€2,800/month.
3
RWR Card Plus
After holding the RWR Card and working for 21 months within a 24-month period. Gives full labor market access.
4
Permanent Residency (Daueraufenthalt – EU)
After 5 years of continuous legal residence + stable income + A2 level German.
5
Austrian Citizenship
Usually after 10 years. Early eligibility after 6 years with B2 German and strong integration. No dual citizenship.
Visas
Austria visa types
A quick overview of the visas international students use.
| Visa type | Purpose | Work allowed? | PR pathway? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa D (National Visa) | Study prep, language (91–180 days) | No | Convert to residence permit |
| Residence Permit – Student | Full-time academic study | 20 hrs/week | 1 year (renewable) |
| Job-Seeker Visa | Post-study job search | Yes (seeking) | 12 months |
| Red-White-Red Card | Employment (employer-specific) | Full-time | 2 years |
| RWR Card Plus | Open labor market access | Full-time | 3 years |
| Visa C (Schengen) | Short stay (<90 days) | No | Up to 90 days |
01 Are tuition fees expensive for non-EU students in Austria?
No, Austria is very affordable! Public universities typically charge non-EU students a very low tuition fee of around €726.72 per semester.
02 Can I stay and work in Austria after graduation?
Yes, international graduates can apply for a 12-month Job-Seeking Visa. Once you find a suitable job, you can apply for a Red-White-Red Card.
03 Can I study in Austria if I don't speak German?
Yes, especially at the Master's and PhD levels, many universities offer specialized programs taught entirely in English.
04 Are there scholarships available for international students?
Yes, there are several fully and partially funded scholarships such as the Ernst Mach Grant and various university-specific merit grants.
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