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Country profile – Austria Vienna
Study in Austria
Vienna
Education and quality of academic institutions and community
Higher education in Austria is known for three aspects: a great number of high quality tertiary education institutions in all nine federal provinces, a long academic tradition and an open-minded atmosphere for creativity and innovation.
In many areas of study, Austrian institutions have accomplished outstanding achievements on an international scale. Austria combines a long tradition in higher education with state-of-the-art research and gives students the option to study in either universities (Arts, Medical, and Technical), private universities, universities of applied sciences (Engineering, Economics, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Design/Arts, Military/Security Sciences), and university colleges of teacher education.
International students will benefit from a high standard of academia, student-centred classes and teaching methods, and low tuition fees.
Tuition fees and scholarship opportunities
Austrian nationals or nationals of an EU or EEA country or of Switzerland, pay no tuition fees. Exceeding prescribed duration of your program by more than 2 semesters results in students paying €363.36 EUR per semester. The tuition fees are raised by 10% if it is paid during the additional period (ending on 30 November for the winter semester and on 30 April for the summer semester).
International students pay €726.72 EUR per semester at public universities. Universities of Applied Sciences can set their own pay rates, where non-EU/EEA citizens pay on average €727-7,500 EUR per semester. Private universities are the most expensive option, and international students should expect to pay between €3,000 – 23,000 EUR per year; note that some specialised programs charge over €35,000 EUR per year.
Cost of living
In Vienna, students on average spend €900-1,300 EUR per month to cover expenses i.e. accommodation, food, socialising, and public transportation. The cost of living in Vienna is significantly lower than in other European cities such as Paris, Amsterdam and Copenhagen.
Student Visa and immigration policies
You are exempt from needing an Austrian student visa if:
- you are a resident of a EU/EEA country or a country within the Schengen Area
- OR you are from any country that has a visa agreement with Austria
There are two types of Austrian student visas, short and long-term:
- Visa C (short-term): allows you to study in Austria for up to 3 months
- Visa D (long-term): allows you to study in Austria for up to 6 months, which you can switch to a Student Resident Permit which is necessary to obtain if you wish to pursue higher education or long-term studies in Austria
Both visas are free of charge for students
To apply for a student visa you need:
- A valid passport with two empty pages, ensuring it was issued sometime during the last decade and it won’t expire during your stay
- Visa Application Form You have to print it out and fill it in with all the correct information and signed
- Schengen travel insurance. Your travel insurance for the Schengen Area must cover any type of emergency up to the amount of €30,000 EUR
- Identity Pictures. You must include recent identity pictures with your application. Please make sure to follow the Schengen visa pictures guideline
- Proof of accommodation. This could be either proof that you are situated within campus housing, student dorms, or you’ve secured a rent agreement
- Itinerary for your travel. This includes the correct flight dates, flight number, and departure date
- Financial Means. You have to prove that you are capable of financing yourself during your stay for the duration of your study program
- Proof of admission. You must provide a letter of confirmation from the Austrian University you’ve applied to that proves your status as a student
- Proof of paid tuition fee. You must provide a copy of the receipt/bank statement that your University fee has been paid
- University records from your previous universities (if applicable). If you’ve attended a previous university you must also provide a copy of those records
Job opportunities (during and after studies)
You must apply for a special C or D student visa that allows you to get a work permit. These visas permit you to work for a maximum of 10-20 hours a week, your employer must apply for your work permit at the Public Employment Service (AMS).
After completion of your studies, you can apply for a ‘job seekers visa’ which allows you to stay in Austria for up to 6 months to find a job. If you find a job within the 6 months, you may apply for a Red-White-Red card which lets you stay and work in Austria for up to two years.
International students are in high demand in the Austrian job market, particularly in the fields of ICT, metal technology, electrical engineering and life sciences. The average gross annual salary in Austria is EUR €57,731 for full-time employees. The highest paid lines of work are chemical and oil processing, IT and Internet Banking, energy and water supply and disposal, and financial services.
Safety and security
Austria is one of the safest European countries and crime levels are generally low. However, there are higher levels of petty crime, particularly pick-pocketing in the city centres and city parks after dark.
It’s illegal in Austria to wear any clothing or object in public that covers your face and you can be fined €150 EUR.
Language requirements
German is the language of instruction therefore students require proof of German language proficiency. Depending on your program, some universities teach in English in which case proof of English proficiency would be required. Note that in Austria, material can be provided upon request in German or English.
Social, Cultural lifestyle and activities
Accommodation availability and options
Cost of accommodation in Austria ranges between €200-500 EUR per month. Vienna would be slightly more expensive if you live in the city centre.
You can find apartments with multiple rooms, allowing you to split the rent and utility costs. There are also studio apartments, ideal for one person or a couple, which are usually more expensive but offer greater privacy and independence. Most student apartments in Vienna come fully furnished and equipped with appliances such as a microwave, refrigerator, washing machine and dryer.
Notable areas for students to live include:
- Josefstadt District 8 – small and quiet located behind the town and the museums of the Ringstrasse. An area with parks, cafes, and monuments. A lively atmosphere with a mix of students and young professionals
- Wieden District 4 – area with many expats, artists and close to the Technological University of Vienna, can reach the city centre in 10 minutes
- Alsergrund District 9 – student friendly neighbourhood, known as the ‘Academic District’
Healthcare system and student insurance
Non-EU/EEA citizens have to pay for health insurance. If you qualify for student insurance, you would pay around €60 EUR per month. Students that do not qualify for student insurance can apply for insurance from a public Austrian insurance provider, with costs averaging at €427 EUR per month. A reliable insurance provider is Aon.
Climate and weather conditions
Connectivity to home country (flights and travel costs)
From the UK, you can secure tickets as cheap as £6 GBP to Vienna, where return tickets can cost as little as £27 GBP. Flights from North America cost on average £600 GBP, flights from the Gulf cost on average £200 GBP.
Recognition of degrees internationally
The recognition of degrees can vary significantly from one country to another, depending on several factors. These include the mode of study (such as online or in-person programmes) and the specific list of approved universities and degree programmes as outlined by a country’s Ministry of Education or relevant authority. Therefore, students should ensure that the degree they pursue is recognised both in their home country and in any other regions where they might plan to work or further their education.
Austrian universities use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).