Masters degree - Postgraduate in English in Austria for international students
- Study Master degree in Austria – advantages for foreign students
- Master degree in Austrian universities – how to enrol?
- Master degree programs in Austria – career prospects
- Master's programs in Austria in English
- Available scholarships for Master's students
- Cost of studying in Master's programs in Austria
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from 1454.00 € / semester
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from 5900.00 € / semester
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from 15800.00 € / 18 months
Master's degree programs are offered by private, public universities and universities of applied sciences. Before Austria joined the Bologna process, the Master's degree was combined with the bachelor's degree and lasted much longer. Such programs were called Diploma program (Diplom studium) or Magister. Now such programs can still be found in some universities (about 6 years of study), but less often — universities have switched to standard master's programs, which usually last 2 years at universities and 1-2 years at Fachhochschulen.
The curriculum includes compulsory and optional courses. During the first year, the foreign students study general subjects, and in the second year — selected disciplines. All undergraduates are engaged in research and write term papers and/or dissertations. Scientific work is not required for some one-year programs at Fachhochschulen. In other cases, the dissertation is about 20-40 ECTS credits and its defence takes place orally. During their studies, the students attend lectures, conduct research and work on group and individual projects.
Alternative destinations
Study Master degree in Austria – advantages for foreign students
Firstly, the main advantage is a prestige of European education. Additionally, most of the curricula are written in German, but this is not a serious obstacle to getting an education: universities give their students the right to attend foreign language courses that allow them to improve their knowledge to the desired level. In addition, there are also many programs in English, which is rightfully considered international.
The second most important reason for studying in Austria is the state funding of Austrian education, thanks to which education is available to almost any student. The complex of this support includes not only a scholarship and grant program; for the comfort of the foreign students, the list of English-language courses has been increased. In addition, the strategy of supporting highly qualified specialists, adopted in the European Union in general and in Austria in particular, makes it possible to get a job not only for a graduate, but also for a well-behaved student.
Due to international educational programs, the foreign students, who wish to obtain art master degree in Austria, should contribute a fairly modest amount by European standards for a semester of study.
Housing is not provided to the foreign students, but the same Vienna and many other cities have done a lot to make people enrolled in universities comfortable in everyday terms. Renting an apartment, a room or a place in a hostel is necessary for obtaining a visa, but finding housing in advance is not particularly difficult, given the existence of websites created specifically for it.
The variety of offered specialties for the foreign students plays a core role in the preferences of the country for studying. Austria does not lose at all to other countries popular with applicants: the choice is wide – both humanitarian and technical, as well as agricultural, and many other specialties are available for the foreign students.
Another reason for choosing an Austrian university from all European options is the opportunity to save time. The Bologna system, according to the standards of which Austrian universities operate, assumes the completion of a full master's program in just two years. In addition, this country is so friendly to seekers of scientific knowledge that its universities allow you to try to enrol not once, but twice a year.
Master degree in Austrian universities – how to enrol?
The three-stage path of admission corresponds to what those who wish to study at any serious European institution go through. It begins with the registration of the applicant online, followed by the sending of originals or copies of the requested documents of the admissions committee and, finally, if successful, everything ends with enrolment.
Usually, the international students must prepare the following list of documents for admission:
- Documents confirming the successful receipt of the declared educational level
- International language certificate (IELTS or TOEFL)
- Motivation and recommendation letters.
Each university has its own criteria by which it determines how much an applicant is worthy of taking a place on the student bench. This individualization of requirements relates to the bachelor's degree and the language level of the applicant.
In addition, if the quota prescribing a certain number of students has already been exceeded, the applicant may be required to take entrance exams. Those who wish to study at master degree MBA in Austria need to have at least two years of work experience in their specialty.
The documentation should be submitted two months in advance, or even four. This is due to the fact that some higher education institutions may request several more types of documents (which ones depend on the chosen university), and they need to be sent before the first school day.
Master degree programs in Austria – career prospects
Getting a master degree in business in Austria is a sure way to a noticeable social status, a successful career and serious salary sums even at the very start. Many positions in European companies are available only to those who have completed a master's program; a future specialist can catch the eye of an interested employer even during obligatory practice.
It is worth striving for a master degree in English in Austria not only for the sake of a good position in a large company. Teaching, in the case of a place in a Western European university, which, by the way, brings considerable income, can also be the goal of a future student. Of course, the noble desire to devote his life to science is also very warmly welcomed by higher education institutions in countries such as Austria.
Master's programs in Austria in English
German is the official language in Austria, but international students can easily find suitable programs taught in English. Studying in Austria combines long-standing academic traditions with an open atmosphere, creativity, and innovation.
There are several main types of higher education institutions in Austria:
- Public universities — medical universities, technical universities, universities of arts,
- Private universities,
- Universities of applied sciences,
- University colleges of teacher education.
All higher education institutions in the country are accredited and aimed at an international level. These dynamic, innovative, and research-oriented institutions welcome students who are eager to succeed in their professional fields.
There is a three-level education system in Austria in accordance with the Bologna Process:
- Bachelor's,
- Master's,
- Doctoral.
All institutions differ in their structure and academic goals. International students typically choose:
- Music,
- Drama,
- Fine arts,
- Languages,
- Tourism,
- Technology,
- Business,
- Engineering,
- Law,
- Medical sciences,
- Psychology,
- Education, and more.
Students can apply for a master's degree at Austrian universities after completing a bachelor's degree. Each year, universities in Austria offer more English-taught courses in the most sought-after fields in Vienna, Innsbruck, and Graz. The main requirement for studying in English is proficiency in the language. It means that candidates for master's programs must pass language tests.
Applicants must also provide at least 180 ECTS to be admitted to a master's program. Each application is reviewed by the admissions committee with a recalculation of credits. The difference must be no more than 30 credits.
Universities in Austria offer a wide variety of master's programs in English. Master's programs have flexible curricula. The course duration depends on the chosen discipline. Obtaining a master's degree usually takes about 2 years of full-time study, including writing and defending a thesis.
Seminars in master's programs are conducted in a discussion format. Upon completion of the full course, students are awarded 120-150 ECTS.
The academic year consists of winter and summer semesters, it begins on October 1 and ends on September 30.
Available scholarships for Master's students
- At the University of Vienna — Master's in Law scholarship, CEU scholarship, and academic achievement awards — available for all levels of higher education in social and natural sciences, including master's programs. These scholarships cover all educational expenses.
- At Webster Private University — students with excellent academic performance and fluent English can receive a discount ranging from 10-50% off the full tuition cost.
- Scholarships for students under the Erasmus Mundus program.
Cost of studying in Master's programs in Austria
The cost of studying in master's programs starts from €1,000 per year. Additional expenses include:
- Accommodation — from €400 to €950 per month,
- Food — from €300,
- Study materials and personal expenses — from €300.
Learning programs-summary information
Name | Meaning | Equivalent | Min. age | Duration, years |
Next stage | Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GCSE | General certificate of secondary education | secondary education (non-accomplished) | 14 | 1–2 | A-Levels | 15,000 USD+ |
A-Levels | Advanced level | secondary education (accomplished) | 16 | 2 | University | 15,000 USD+ |
BTEC | Business and Technology Education Board | secondary special education | 14 | 2–3 | University/ work | 15,000 USD+ |
Oxbridge Preparation | Preparing for Oxford and Cambridge | secondary education (accomplished) | 17 | 1 | University | 15,000 USD+ |
International Baccalaureate | International baccalaureate | secondary education (accomplished) | 16 | 2 | University | 18,000 USD+ |
Foundation/ Pathway Year | Preparatory year | admission to the 1st year of university | 17 | 1 | University | 14,000 USD+ |
NCUK | The Northern consortium | 2 year university | 17,5 | 1 | 2 year University of NCUK | 13,000 USD+ |
Special Preparation (Medics/Math/Business) | Specialized training | - | 14 | optional | optional | 4,000 USD+ |
Academic English | Academic English | Language school | 8 + | 6–12 months | School or University | 8,000 USD+ |
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