Want to study in Austria?
It may be relatively small, but there are many reasons to study in Austria, including a number of universities that rank among the world’s best. In terms of area, Austria is no bigger than the US state of Maine, and in terms of population, it is home to roughly the same number of people as the UK capital, London. But this beautiful Central European country, full of stunning landscapes and exuberant cities, should certainly not be judged on size.
This is the land that brought the world great composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and innovative thinkers such as Sigmund Freud and Ludwig Wittgenstein – not to forget the iconic musical, The Sound of Music, and the equally memorable one-liners of actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Austria at a Glance
Bordered entirely by other countries, Austria is located in the heart of Europe and is a member of the European Union. Home to over 8.8 million people, the country is consistently named as one of the richest countries in the world in GDP terms. Austria has developed a high standard of living and declared its perpetual neutrality in foreign political affairs in 1955. The country lies within the Alps, making it highly mountainous.
With a long and impressive history, Austria has many tourist attractions and something for every person. The cities are modern and developed, with a high-income economy; perfect for international students looking for a metropolitan experience. The countryside is littered with amazing scenery and provides entertainment for the most adventurous of people, with skiing and hiking being popular past-times.
Why Study in Austria?
Austria’s commitment to international students is reflected in the fair tuition fees and the rise in enrolling students since reforms. As well as the chance to study at world ranked higher education institutions, you will also be able to pick up the German language. German is the first language of 100 million people worldwide, and joining those people would open up some great further study and employment opportunities!
Austria has a long history of outstanding higher education, with some of Europe’s finest philosophers, scientists, and writers who have worked and lived here. Vienna, in particular, has a long tradition of academic achievement. This is where the Vienna Circle, one of the most significant movements in Philosophy since the Ancient Greeks, was born. You will find 5 Austrian universities in the 2019 QS World University ranking top 500. The highest-ranked of these 5 is the University of Vienna, which is ranked in 175th place.
Education Cost in Austria
The currency used in Austria is the Euro (€).
Tuition fees in Austria will depend on more than one variable. One of these is where in the world you are from, and the other is whether you choose a public or private university. Public universities will charge considerably less than private universities. You should also expect to pay a higher tuition fee at a university of applied sciences as well.
If you are from an EU/EEA country, you are not required to pay tuition fees so long as you complete your course in its given timeframe, or within the additional two semesters allowed. If you do not finish your course at this time, you will need to pay a small tuition fee each semester you remain enrolled. This is usually around €363.36 per semester.
If you are from any other country, you are required to pay a tuition fee per semester. This is usually around €726.72 at a public institution. Both international and EU/EEA students will need to pay a student union membership fee, which is normally around €18 per semester.
Another cost that international students need to be aware of is health insurance. If you are from an EU/EEA country and hold an EHIC card, you will be able to access the same healthcare as Austrian citizens without taking out health insurance. If you are from certain other countries, like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey, you will also not need health insurance. You will, however, need to acquire an A3 form from your national health insurance provider, which can then be exchanged for an Austrian healthcare form. If you are from any other country, you will need to either purchase health insurance for your stay in Austria or ensure that your current policy is valid throughout your studies.
In order to help to fund your studies, you might be able to apply for a scholarship or get a part-time job. If you are from an EU/EEA country (excluding Croatia) and Switzerland, you will be able to work part-time with limited restrictions. Your institution may require you to only work a certain amount of hours per week however, to ensure that studies are your priority. If you are from any other country, you will need to apply for a work permit, which is subject to you holding a valid residence permit. If you are from Croatia, you will also need to apply for a work permit. This condition is part of the transition to EU membership and will remain this way until 2020.
University tuition fees in Austrian universities
Within Austria, you can enroll in public or private universities, colleges, and universities of applied sciences. Tuition fees in public universities
- For EU-students: free of charge. Just have to pay student union and student insurance of 18 EUR/semester.
- For non-EU students: 1450 EUR/year
Exceptions - The University of Vienna charges tuition fees for certain study programs at postgraduate level (Master and Ph.D. courses), such as law or international relations, to all foreign students, regardless of their nationality.
Universities of Applied Sciences independently decide if they charge tuition fees. Currently, 17 of the 20 UAS require EU students to pay a tuition fee of around 363 EUR per semester. The fee for the student union and insurance applies as well.
Tuition fees in private universities
Private universities have their own tuition fees, which start from 1,000 EUR per year and can lead up to around 40,000 EUR/year
