15 Best Public Universities in Vienna for International Students
Vienna is one of the cities in Austria you should look into if you want to study in a public university. Besides providing a path towards your academic goals, studying in Vienna can give you valuable insights into its people and the local culture. You can also enjoy various activities here to make your studies abroad all worth it.
There are 23 universities you can find in Vienna, and 15 of them are public universities. Having these many choices makes Vienna a great place for international students.
In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in Vienna, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!
| Rank | University | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Vienna | Vienna, Austria |
| 2 | TU Wien | Vienna, Austria |
| 3 | Medical University of Vienna | Vienna, Austria |
| 4 | Vienna University of Economics and Business | Vienna, Austria |
| 5 | University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna | Vienna, Austria |
| 6 | University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna | Vienna, Austria |
| 7 | University of Applied Arts Vienna | Vienna, Austria |
| 8 | University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna | Vienna, Austria |
| 9 | Academy of Fine Arts Vienna | Vienna, Austria |
| 10 | University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien | Vienna, Austria |
| 11 | University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna | Vienna, Austria |
| 12 | University College of Teacher Education in Vienna | Vienna, Austria |
| 13 | University College for Agricultural and Environmental Pedagogy | Vienna, Austria |
| 14 | Vienna School of International Studies | Vienna, Austria |
| 15 | Lauder Business School | Vienna, Austria |
Public Universities in Vienna
1. University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is one of the leading universities in the country, with hundreds of academic programs to offer. It is the center for medicine, physics, business, and economics, among others. The university has been the source of competent professionals that are well-knowledgeable in their field. Since its establishment, the university did not fail to provide education that is focused on solving the current challenges of significant sectors in society.
2. TU Wien
TU Wien, also known as the Vienna University of Technology, is a public university in Vienna, Austria. It was established in 1815 by Emperor Francis I as the Imperial-Royal Polytechnic Institute. TU Wien offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in architecture, natural sciences, engineering, and technology. The university is ranked #192 in the QS World University Rankings.
3. Medical University of Vienna
The Medical University of Vienna is a public research university in Vienna, Austria. Its origins can be traced back to 1365, with the establishment of the faculty of medicine at the University of Vienna. The modern university was only established in 2004 as an independent institution. As one of the top-level medical institutions in the country, many Nobel Prize laureates and notable scientists have worked at the university.
4. Vienna University of Economics and Business
The Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) is a public research university in Vienna, Austria. It was established in 1898 as the Export Academy to provide professional business training. WU is Europe’s largest university specializing in business and management. It provides undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in economics, management, and marketing in both English and German.
5. University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna
The University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) is a public research university in Vienna, Austria. It was founded in 1872 and offered agriculture, economics, and social sciences courses. As a pioneer in green economy innovation, BOKU combines knowledge in the social and economic sciences with that of the natural sciences, engineering, and biotechnology.
6. University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna
The University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (VUW) is a public university in Vienna, Austria. It was founded in 1767 as the Imperial-Royal School for the Cure and Surgery of Horses, the world’s third veterinary school. The university currently has 2,800 students and over 600 academic staff, as well as teaching and research farms located outside of Vienna.
7. University of Applied Arts Vienna
The University of Applied Arts Vienna is one of the oldest universities in the country. This university was established in 1867 based on the need for creative and formal education in the region. This university is famous because it has a large number of famous alumni that have acted as great ambassadors for the university, from which some of the most famous are the likes of Walter Bosse and Dorrit Dekk.
8. University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
The University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna is a public university in Vienna, Austria. It was founded in 1817 by the Society for the Friends of Music and is the country’s largest performing arts institution. With 24 academic departments, the university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs including conducting, music analysis, cultural studies, and music therapy.
9. Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
Academy of Fine Arts Vienna is one of Austria’s most traditional art universities. The institution has been setting high-quality standards when it comes to art studies, helping individuals to develop their skills and widen their contemporary perspectives. It also integrates technology in the way it presents art teachings in order to combine the tradition of Austria’s culture and the beauty of modern techniques.
10. University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien
The University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien is a public-private partnership university in Vienna, Austria. It was established in 1994 and was the first university for applied sciences in the country. With 4,400 students, it is also considered the largest technical university in Austria. The university offers 12 undergraduate programs and 18 postgraduate programs. It has also been awarded the Erasmus+ Award 2015 and in the annual rankings by the Austrian Industry Magazine.
11. University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna
The University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna is a public university in Vienna, Austria. It began in 1996 with a course in European Economics and Corporate Management. It has gradually expanded into a variety of courses, and it now provides undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in management, finance, economics, media, and law.
12. University College of Teacher Education in Vienna
The University College of Teacher Education in Vienna is a specialized teaching university that is focused on innovative and ground-breaking teaching techniques that can be used to advance the education system. This university was established in 2007 and is located in Vienna, Austria, which gives a lot of great opportunities for students to achieve their goals in the field of teaching.
13. University College for Agricultural and Environmental Pedagogy
The University College for Agricultural and Environmental Pedagogy (HAUP) is a public university in Vienna, Austria. It was founded in 2007 and is the country’s only pedagogical university specializing in agriculture. Undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in agrarian and environmental pedagogy are available at HAUP. In addition, students obtain certification for agricultural and forestry advisory and support services, as well as adult education.
14. Vienna School of International Studies
Vienna School of International Studies is a practical-oriented institution that aims to provide exceptional postgraduate education in various disciplines. It has been the center of excellence for international affairs studies and is one of the oldest professional schools in the country. Since its establishment, it has already trained thousands of competent men and women.
15. Lauder Business School
Situated in a historical building in the elegant Döbling district of Vienna, Lauder Business School has earned a reputation as a leading international university of applied sciences in the European Union. Founded in 2003 as a Jewish initiative, LBS is geared towards students seeking a hands-on educational approach that will give them a competitive advantage in an increasingly demanding professional workplace.
The university blends American and European educational methods: three of its programs are fully accredited in the US by the ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business School and Programs), and is affiliated with the Harvard MOC (Microeconomics of Competitiveness) Network, which includes more than 100 major business schools from 65 different countries. LBS was ranked 2nd in Vienna for the second year in a row (2022 & 2023), and 4th in Austria for the academic excellence and high employment rate of our students by the independent industry magazine INDUSTRIEMAGAZIN. According to the independent Peregrine tests, LBS programs are among the best 10% of ACBSP accredited universities worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can International Students Study in Public Universities in Vienna?
Absolutely! International students in public universities in Vienna can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.
As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Some public universities in Vienna charge no tuition fees to international students, while others charge up to 1,453 Euros.
I hope this article can help you in your search for public universities in Vienna. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.