How to Study in Austria for International Students
Austria is renowned for its prestigious universities, desirable quality of life, and rich cultural heritage. As a student studying in Austria, you will have the chance to attend top-tier academic institutions and engage in diverse professional opportunities. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Austria's cultural history and beautiful natural landscapes, including mountains, lakes, and forests.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Austria currently has 74 universities, from which 40 universities are a part of the public sector and 34 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Austria you should definitely check out are University of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, and Medical University of Graz.
Being able to study in Austria as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Austria, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Austria
The cost of your studies is a big factor to consider when you're planning to study abroad. It can financially burden you, but here's the good thing: the public universities in Austria don't charge tuition fees to international students like you! Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, FHV – Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences and Graz University of Technology are some of the tuition-free schools. You will just be required to pay some registration and other study fees, but these won't be as high.
On the other hand, if you choose to study in a private institution, expect that you'll pay higher fees. Here are some of the private universities in Austria with their tuition fees:
2. Requirements to Study in Austria for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Austria, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Austria, English and German are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting ÖSD for German.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Austria and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 6
- TOEFL: 72
- CEFR: B2
- ÖSD: B2
- Bachelor's German Language Requirements Page
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6
- TOEFL: 72
- CEFR: B2
- ÖSD: B2
- Master's German Language Requirements Page
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Alma Mater Europaea
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
CAMPUS 02 University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor’s degree
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Austria
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Austria have online applications available on their websites, like University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Austria.
University of Vienna
Medical University of Vienna
Medical University of Graz
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Austria differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Austria.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Austria
Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Austria. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Austria as an international student.
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Austria. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Residence permit.
To start your student visa application in Austria, you will need to present the following:
- A valid travel document
- A copy of your passport including all its pages
- Proof of place of residence
- Proof of financial means
- Have health insurance
- A current passport-style photograph
- A police clearance certificate translated to English
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Austria is 150 EUR.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Book an appointment at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
- Submit the application form and the necessary document at the competent Austrian representative authority.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Austria. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!
This page helped me to get and brief idea about the process. Could you send universities providing English medium MSc degrees in Psychology field with low course fee in Austria??
Hello, glad it helped. Regarding low tuition fees, check out Cheap Universities in Austria for International Students. You can search through and see which universities among them does offer English medium Psychology Master’s in English