How to Study in Austria for Free (8 Steps)

Europe is known to be one of the most culturally diverse places in the world, with Austria being part of its center. Austria is an old yet continually developing country that is well-known for having majestic castles, buildings, and landscapes. It is also the country of origin for many famous classical composers, such as Mozart and Strauss. Studying for free in a country such as Austria provides international students the opportunity to experience art within reach in terms of its landscape. The quality of life in Austria is also considered to be one of the best in the world, which means that the daily stress from life outside school might not be a hindrance to its future international students who choose to study in Austria. So, let’s take a look at how you can study in Austria for free.

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How to Study in Austria for Free

1. Get to Know Austria and its Culture

Part of any big leap into an unknown area or space is knowing what makes it unique. If you are planning to study abroad, knowing what makes Austria a certain culture to reckon with is important, since it gives you an idea whether or not you can thrive in Austria in the long run. Not all cultures might be suitable for you, probably because of preferences and differences, though sometimes being open to new experiences can also be a good thing. Experiencing something totally foreign and different from what you’re used to teaches you a lot of good skills and expertise, which may also make you a well-rounded individual in the long run.

2. Apply for Universities that Interest You

Countries can have different titles and directions that they want to take with certain areas of study, which is why for international students who want to become professionals in a certain field, reading up on the current movements and progress of any university would be an important factor to consider. Universities can have certain doctorate programs conducting research in an area of specialty that you might want to take up. Most of the time, these universities publish this information on their websites or newsletters. Picking a university that interests you will eventually help you with your application, since the area of study will be something you will want to read about and work for.

3. Look for Austrian Universities that offer Scholarships

Money and expenses should not hinder students from receiving quality education, whether within their country or elsewhere. However, due to limitations on the part of some universities and funding, they cannot offer scholarships and tuition fee grants to everyone. Because of this, universities in Austria require compliance with certain requirements to determine which among the applicants in need of financial assistance will receive it.

Getting scholarships from Austrian universities is a great way to study in Austria for free. In Austria, an example of a university that offers scholarships is the Medical University of Vienna. According to their grant form, students who are enrolled in regular study in the Medical University of Vienna can apply for a financial grant. They may be given such financial assistance if they comply with the number of points that are required in the university’s curriculum, as well as social insurance data if in case the student is self-employed or has employment.

Universities such as the University of Salzburg also offer more than one type of scholarship grant to its students, and some for international activities. They even have scholarships for those who need financial assistance for their thesis or dissertation, or those who incur outstanding scientific achievement. For those who are focused more on research, applying for scholarships in universities like the University of Salzburg, which is directed towards more modern-type research would be beneficial. According to their site, more information on scholarships are provided upon contacting the respective offices.

4. Look for Affordable Austrian Universities

Looking for affordable Austrian universities is also a good option to consider when wanting to study in Austria for free. In Austria, if you do not have any scholarship or financial aid, the amount of tuition you would be spending for in a year is an average of 700 Euros per year, assuming that a year includes two semesters. This price changes for those who are not from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, and increases up to 7,500 Euros. It is important to consider the amount of tuition fees that each university demands from a student, since you can always opt to go with the more affordable ones while still getting quality education from Austrian institutions.

If you are interested, visit the Cheap Universities in Austria for International Students.

5. Find Part-Time Work to Shoulder Expenses

In Austria, the opportunity to work while studying is available for students who apply for work permits under certain conditions. As stated here, students who come from third countries and Croatia are required to apply for a work permit, and to ensure that their studies are not jeopardized by any work they commit to. Austria limits the number of work hours to 20 hours per week as a maximum amount. If a student wants to work for more than 20 hours, a labour market check must first be conducted.

6. Find Ways to Maximize Your Budget

Having a lot of money does not always have to be a requirement when studying abroad. Oftentimes living on a tight budget is how you are able to experience more opportunities. As an international student in a foreign country such as Austria, it can be tempting to spend your money on expensive apartments and accommodations, but the best thing to do would be to minimize cost by choosing cheaper alternatives. This provides you with more money for school and tuition. In addition, with scholarships, you can study in Austria for free by reducing your budget.

7. Apply for Scholarships from Your Own Government

Your own government may also be offering you scholarship opportunities to study abroad. This information may be readily available with your respective government agencies or departments in-charge of foreign affairs, or education. This may be beneficial to you since you do not have to contact agencies outside of your own country.

8. Apply for Scholarships from Other Organizations

Opportunities are always available if you constantly look for ways to find them. Another option at your disposal would be to apply for scholarships from financial institutions that may be private or publicly-owned corporations, or other money-lending services if scholarships are no longer available. Student-loans are also a good option, especially if said loans are offered at low or no interest rates. Other programs like training programs and exchange programs by independent organizations are also an option.

 

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Europe Scholarships Page.