FAQ on studying in Austria

Education at public universities is free for citizens of Austria and other European Union countries. Students from the EU only pay a student fee (€20). At the same time, foreign students study at Austrian universities exclusively on a fee-paying basis. Each semester, they must pay two fees: tuition (Studienbeitrag) and student (ÖH-Beitrag), which are €727 and €20, respectively.

When calculating the cost of studying, you should also take into account additional expenses. In order to enroll in a university in this country, you must complete two types of preparatory language courses.

• The first type is aimed at applicants with basic knowledge – €1,250 per semester (plus student fee).
• The second type of course is for candidates with German language skills of at least B1 level. The cost of such courses depends on the content of the educational programs. Studying only German costs €1,180, while studying both German and separate subjects costs €480 per semester. Every six months, students also pay the ÖH-Beitrag, which is necessary to extend their student status.

In addition to public universities, Austria also has private universities, where tuition fees for one semester range from €4,000 and above.

More detailed information on the structure of tuition fees can be found on the websites of the universities themselves. For example, BOKU (Vienna University of Natural Resources) charges €745 per semester for students from other countries, with the exception of those in the https://boku.ac.at category.

The University of Salzburg has set the following fees for Third-Country Nationals (Drittstaatsangehörige) for master's programs, for example (data for 2021):

• self-insurance – €63.44 per month,
• semiannual student council fee – €20.70 (regularly adjusted).
• extraordinary students pay a fee of €363.36 per semester, and foreigners pay €726.72.

Higher education under the Bologna system in Austria can be obtained at more than 70 public, specialized, and private universities, almost half of which are located in the country's capital. Public universities include such universities as:

• University of Vienna
• Vienna University of Economics
• Medical University of Vienna
• Technical University of Vienna
• University of Applied Arts
• University of Music and Performing Arts and others.

Well-known private universities include:

• Webster University;
• MODUL University;
• Sigmund Freud University.

All universities are supervised and regulated by the Ministry of Science and Research, which guarantees a high level of education. The strongest and most popular educational programs are considered to be technical, socio-economic, and medical.

Teaching is conducted mainly in German. Private universities are an exception.

At the same time, despite their high-quality educational programs and rich history, Austrian universities are not among the leaders in international rankings. For example, the most famous University of Vienna, founded in the 14th century, ranked only 134th in the 2020 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

A distinctive feature of Austrian universities is that attendance at classes is optional. This means that students plan their own individual schedules for a specific period, which usually extends the duration of their studies by almost half. At the same time, this format is not typical for a number of specialties. For example, graphics, media, computer science, electronics, engineering, and technology are taught according to a strictly fixed program. A practice-oriented teaching system based on an original methodology has been developed at the relatively new MODUL University Vienna, where world-renowned scientists teach. Applicants are offered such specialties as:

• innovative media;
• public administration and management;
• hotel and tourism business.

Education in Austria begins at the age of six. Despite the existence of kindergartens that accept children from the age of three, there is no preschool education as such. Only private institutions for preschoolers have separate programs focused on language learning, dance, and music.

School education, designed for 12-13 years, consists of three stages:

• primary,
• secondary level 1,
• secondary level 2.

Children from the age of six enter primary school (Volksschule), where education lasts four years. Then, depending on their preferences and level of preparation, they enter a specific secondary school. There are alternative types of schools in the education system. The most common is the basic school, where the duration of education is 5 years. In the second type of school, the general secondary school, students must study for 8 years.

Eighth-grade graduates have the right to choose a gymnasium, where they can take special courses over four years, which are a good platform for preparing for university studies. However, their number is limited, and therefore it is difficult to get in.

Colleges, which can be entered after the eighth or ninth grade, occupy a special place in the Austrian secondary vocational education system. For example, colleges train educators and social pedagogues over a period of five years. There are also vocational colleges (Berufsbildende höhere Schule) in this field, where the duration of study is from two to five years.

The structure of higher education in this country consists of three levels:

• bachelor's degree (three to four years),
• Master's degree (one to two years),
• doctoral studies (three to four years).

The duration of university education is determined by the specialty and educational program. For example, bachelor's programs in technical specialties are designed for four years, while the rest are designed for three years. Almost all universities offer standard master's programs lasting two years, and one to two years at Fachhochschulen. The duration of doctoral studies depends on the student's qualifications. For master's students, doctoral studies last three years, and for bachelor's students, four years.

Free education in Austrian public educational institutions, from school to university, is only available to citizens of European Union countries. Foreigners from other countries do not have this opportunity. The exceptions are students receiving state scholarships or various grants, as well as participants in exchange programs abroad.

For example, education for students coming to Austria to study at a secondary school or university can be financed from various sources. The main sponsor is the state, which provides funding for students' education in two forms.

1. The first form is a study grant: a one-time payment, usually covering the costs of tuition, accommodation, transport, internet, and other expenses. Grants are issued not only by the state, but also by various funds, corporations, investment companies, and universities, which in this way train their own highly qualified personnel.
2. The second is a scholarship, paid monthly for the entire period of the student's study abroad.

​​​​​​​In Austria, there are regular secondary schools that are considered free for foreigners, but here you have to pay extra for school activities, teaching materials, dormitory accommodation, and personal expenses. Such costs are up to €500 per month.

As for studying at Austrian universities, there is no free education for foreign students. Except for students from the European Union, all other students study at Austrian universities on a fee-paying basis only. Each semester, they must pay two fees: tuition (Studienbeitrag) and student (ÖH-Beitrag) – €727 and €20, respectively. Considering that Austria is known for its high cost of living, students should not forget about the significant expenses associated with the minimum cost of living. Part of the current expenses can be covered by part-time jobs during studies: bachelor's students are allowed to work no more than ten hours per week, and master's students no more than twenty hours.

To enroll in an Austrian school or university for the 2022-2023 academic year, you must prepare a package of documents taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the methods and deadlines for submitting documents for admission, as well as the forms of teaching, may change. The last two years of work by university admissions committees during the pandemic show that there may be delays in issuing certificates, certifying and translating documents, difficulties in entering other countries, and so on.

For example, to apply for a bachelor's degree at an Austrian university, you must submit an application by September 5, 2022 (winter semester) or no later than February 5, 2023 (summer semester). Enrollment in the university begins on April 15. More detailed information about the conditions for admission to the university is available on the website www.studienbeginn.at and the electronic platform of each university. Since the dates of admission and enrollment may vary depending on the university, you need to prepare your documents in advance. The optimal preparation period for admission is usually from one to one and a half years.

Admission to Austrian universities after school has a number of peculiarities. Since the duration of secondary education in Austria is 12-13 years, and in some other countries it is eleven years, foreigners may encounter difficulties when submitting documents. Therefore, in order to enter an Austrian university after school, you need to eliminate the difference in certificates and obtain a certificate of qualification.

Due to the new wave of coronavirus, restrictions have also been increased. For example, from December 20, 2021, the 2G+ rule (vaccinated, recovered, and PCR test passed) applies when entering Austria from all countries. If it is not possible to provide a negative test result, a quarantine obligation comes into force. In this case, electronic registration on the website entry.ptc.gv.at is also required no earlier than 72 hours before entry. Only vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) (BioNTech, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson) are recognized. Without confirmation, applicants are subject to restrictions on access to and residence in university buildings and on movement.

More detailed information can be found on the website of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Security, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, as well as at https://corona-ampel.gv.at/.

Enrolling in Austrian universities after high school has a number of peculiarities. Since secondary education in Austria lasts 12-13 years, while in some other countries it lasts eleven years, foreigners may encounter difficulties when submitting their documents. Therefore, in order to enter an Austrian university after school, it is necessary to eliminate the difference in certificates and obtain a certificate of qualification.

To compensate for the missing courses, it is necessary to obtain basic specialised or higher education. To enter an Austrian university, foreign applicants need to follow a three-step algorithm.

1. In the first stage, you need to try to obtain an invitation to study. To do this, the school graduate must send the required documentation to the university admissions committee in a timely manner (addresses are listed on the organization's website). If the admissions committee approves the applicant's application, it sends an invitation to study, indicating the subjects to be studied and passed in the zero (or preparatory) course. After receiving this invitation, applicants come to Austria, register at the university, receive a student ID card, and are referred to courses.
2. The second stage is studying preparatory courses to bridge the gap between school certificates. In the zero course, students study German, specialized subjects, and take exams. They can also attend classes at the university (without the right to take exams in the main course of study).
3. In the third and final stage, after successfully completing the preparatory courses, foreign students continue their studies directly at the university. During this period of study, all restrictions on exams are removed.

One of the distinctive features of Austrian higher education is the absence, with rare exceptions, of entrance exams and a unified schedule. Students choose their own subjects, class times, and teachers.

Documents for enrollment in preparatory courses are accepted once a year, from April to September. The review period ranges from one and a half to four months.

A master's degree is the second stage of higher education in Austria. It is based on the uniform standards of the Bologna system and lasts two years. The cost of a master's degree program depends on the citizenship of the applicant.

• Students from European Union countries, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland are exempt from tuition fees at Austrian public universities. They only pay a student contribution (€20).
• At the same time, foreign students study at Austrian universities exclusively on a fee-paying basis. Each semester, they must pay two fees: tuition (Studienbeitrag) and student (ÖH-Beitrag), €727 and €20, respectively.

Let's take a look at the various master's programs offered by Austrian universities.

University of Vienna

Tuition fees depend on the student's citizenship. For example, all EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are exempt from tuition fees for the minimum duration (four semesters) plus two additional semesters of tolerance. However, they pay ÖH (€20.70) each semester, and only from the seventh semester onwards do they have to pay a tuition fee of €363.36.

Students who are citizens of one of the developing countries are exempt from tuition fees. Tuition fees are waived for the entire duration of their degree program, so they only have to pay the Student Union fee each semester.

Modul University Vienna

The average tuition fee is €5,000 per semester (e.g., for Master's programmes in International Tourism Management, Sustainability, Management, and Politics).

Salzburg State University

For third-country nationals (Drittstaatsangehörige), the following fees apply for master's programs: self-insurance – €63.44 per month; biannual student council fee – €20.70 (adjusted regularly).

Vienna University of Applied Arts

More than €20,000 per year for the Master's program in Applied Human Rights.

TU Wien Academy for Continuing Education

Approximately €20,000 per year for a program in engineering management.

As we can see, the cost of master's programs varies greatly (from a couple of thousand euros to tens of thousands). It is best to find out the specific cost for a particular educational institution — your educational consultant will be able to advise you on this.

Most private boarding schools accept children from the age of 12. If you are considering international schools in English, then Amadeus International School Vienna and St Gilgen International School are good options.

Most private schools in Austria that offer English-language instruction do not require children to know German. However, a second language is compulsory in schools, so German can be learned from scratch immediately after enrollment.

German language requirements depend on the specific educational institution. Most secondary schools accept applicants with a B1 level or higher. However, there are preparatory secondary schools that have separate classes for foreign students, where additional German language lessons are provided.

With this level of language proficiency, your child can apply to either program. When choosing, it is important to consider in which country and in which language you plan to pursue higher education. If you are not sure that your child will want to stay in Germany and apply to a German university, it makes sense to consider English-language programs, in particular the IB, which is accepted by universities around the world, including in Germany.

The cost of IB schools in Austria starts at €40,000 per year. The cost of German-language high schools starts at €17,000, including accommodation and meals.

To enroll in an Austrian school, you will need the following documents:

• International passport + photos of the required type (passport format),
• Completed form (application),
• Report card with grades for the previous 2-3 years,
• Essay on the topic “Why I want to study at your school” (written personally by the student — in the format of a motivation letter),
• Character reference from the class teacher and other teachers,
• Personal letters of commendation, medals, awards and achievements, certificates and letters of appreciation — these will set you apart from other students and make you a more attractive candidate in the eyes of the admissions committee.

The higher the rating of an Austrian school, the more carefully it selects students for admission. You need to be prepared for this and start the application process for Austrian secondary schools well in advance, at least 10-12 months before the start of the school year.

Our specialists will tell you how to fill out the application correctly, help you with your visa, provide a list of required documents for admission, provide a qualified translation into German/English, and book your tickets.

Austrian universities allow you to fill out an application form online. All applicants wishing to study for a master's degree must complete an application form and attach the following:

• Translation of higher education diploma and transcript of grades
• For admission to programs with an economic or mathematical focus, GMAT (average score of 660) or GRE results may be required
• Language proficiency certificate — TOEFL 79 iBT, IELTS 6.0 or higher
• Volunteer experience/athletic achievements (if applicable)
• Certificate of eligibility to study in the chosen field
• CV, letters of recommendation from teachers, essay
• Written and published articles and research (preferable).

The university itself determines the requirements for the applicant's diploma and language proficiency level.

Documents must be submitted to the university in advance (no later than 3-4 months before the start of studies). If necessary, the admissions committee invites the applicant for an interview. Austrian universities offer two admission rounds per year. As in many EU universities, there are no entrance exams for master's programs, but there are exceptions if two worthy candidates apply for one place. Master's programs for international students are available at universities in Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, and Salzburg.

The duration of education in Austrian secondary schools is 9-12 years. Compulsory education is from grade 1 to 9. Students move on to upper secondary school (grades 10-12) if they plan to prepare for university admission.

• Children are accepted into schools from the age of 6. During this period, over the course of 4 years, students not only study academic subjects, but also develop creatively and athletically.
• As soon as a child turns 10, they are transferred to grade 5, where they continue their compulsory education until grade 9.
• Often, high school students do not leave after 9th grade to attend specialized colleges, but continue their studies in high school. In the final year, 12th grade, students deepen their knowledge in the field of their future profession and consolidate the skills they have acquired in economics, natural sciences, and language studies. At the end of the 12th grade, students take a final exam and receive a high school diploma (Matura). With it, they can enroll in any higher education institution in the world.

Austria has public and private schools, including various types of primary, secondary, and private schools designed for students of different ages, religions, genders, and educational backgrounds (separate schools, Catholic schools, technical schools, and humanities schools).

Austrian primary schools are divided into:

• primary “folk” school — Volksschule
• Grundschule — general education primary school
• school for children with special needs and special care — Sonderschule.

In the country's public primary schools, children begin their education at the age of 6 (for 4 years, from grades 1 to 4). Education is free, but parents pay for teaching materials, accommodation, travel, and other expenses. Children from other countries are not accepted into public schools. Students can only enroll in private schools and pay for their own education.

Austrian secondary schools are divided into:

• Hauptschule – secondary "folk" school
• secondare school with in-depth study of of selected subjects – Allgemein bildende höhere Schule
• Gymnasium – general secondary schools
• secondary schools with a scientific focus — Realgymnasium
• secondary schools with an in-depth focus on home economics — Wirtschaftskundlisches Realgymnasium.

Students decide for themselves where they would like to continue their education: stay in secondary school or enroll in a vocational institution.

Austrian schools with in-depth study of subjects are more prestigious than “public” educational institutions. When enrolling in a more advanced school, students undergo selection and pass all entrance tests with excellent results. Graduates of educational institutions of all types of schools receive a secondary education certificate or a secondary vocational education certificate.

The duration of compulsory secondary education in the country is 9 years, divided into primary school (grades 1-4), secondary school (grades 5-9), and high school (grades 10-12). In total, there are 9-12 grades, depending on the student's choice (to remain in high school or transfer to a vocational school/college).

• Children aged 6 and older (grades 1-4) are accepted into public elementary schools in Austria. Children learn literacy, writing, mathematics, and basic sciences.
• At the age of 10, students move on to grade 5 and continue their education at one of Austria's secondary schools until grade 9.
• Most students do not finish their schooling after grade 9, but move on to high school. In grade 12, high school students study subjects related to their chosen specialization in greater depth. The education system in Austria is quite complex but diverse. Depending on the education received and the program chosen, graduates can obtain a specific specialization.
• At the end of the 12th grade, students must pass a final exam and receive a high school diploma (Matura). Upon graduation, students become applicants to higher education institutions anywhere in the world.

To obtain a high school diploma, foreign students must study for two years, which corresponds to a full secondary education in Austria. Students from other countries are accepted into private schools from the ages of 11 to 14.

To enroll in a bachelor's program at a technical university in Vienna, you will need to present a certificate of complete secondary education. A high level of German language proficiency is not a prerequisite: students attend intensive language courses during their studies, but their language proficiency must be at least intermediate in order to understand most of the program. If the course is taught in English, knowledge of the language and a certificate confirming this (IELTS or TOEFL) are required.

Applicants for a place in a master's program must prepare a higher education diploma (bachelor's/specialist), a CV, and a certificate of German language proficiency (B1-B2).

You can apply to study at the Technical University of Applied Sciences twice a year: in September and January. The academic year costs around €1,500.

Students can apply immediately after graduating from school, bypassing the preparatory year, and there are no entrance exams, but in this case, you will need to undergo nostrification. A big plus is the ability to create your own study plan and work during your studies (10 hours per week), which allows you to cover part of your tuition costs and gain valuable practical experience and internships. After completing the program, students receive a one-year visa, which is enough time to find a suitable, well-paid job.

Education in Austria is relatively inexpensive — tuition for children in public schools starts at €300-700 per year. However, students' personal expenses, accommodation, and meals are also the responsibility of their parents.

Foreigners who do not reside permanently in the country cannot attend public schools — there are other options available to them. Prestigious private schools and top international schools have higher tuition fees — €12,000-50,000 per year. The cost depends on several factors: the number of subjects studied, the school's specialization, and additional services.

The cost of summer camps and language schools in Austria starts at €1,100 per week.

The 3 Best Schools in Austria - TripAdvisor

• Amadeus International School Vienna – from €46,600/year
• American International School Salzburg AISS – from €41 000/year
• St Gilgen International School – from €25 900/year.

The University of Vienna has relatively low tuition fees.

• The bachelor's program accepts students throughout the year (in English). Tuition starts at €750 per semester. The academic year is divided into 2 semesters/3 trimesters, totaling approximately €1,000-2,000 per year.
• The cost of a master's degree in German starts at €730/semester, and admissions are open throughout the year. The academic year consists of 2 semesters/3 trimesters.
• The doctoral program in German is also open year-round, with prices starting at €745/semester.

The University of Vienna is one of the largest research centers in Europe. The university guarantees students from all over the world the opportunity to receive a high-quality, prestigious, and sought-after education. Today, more than 80,000 students from 120 countries study here, and about 12,000 people are enrolled in master's programs.

The University of Vienna is the most prestigious university in the country. It offers a wide range of programs — more than 170 fields of study and 18 faculties (including Catholic and Protestant). Currently, the university offers programs in many relevant and sought-after fields: mathematics, economics, law, linguistics, technical sciences, medicine, and others. Students can attend any classes of their choice.

The University of Vienna oversees student exchange programs, which give Austrian students the opportunity to study in another country.