You can study in Austria without German. The majority of programmes are in German, but 455 of the 589 programmes in our catalogue are taught in English only, and another 130 in German and English, as of October 2026. What you cannot avoid is the paperwork: each institution sets its own admission rules, and the residence authority decides on your permit.
How many programmes are actually in English?
Our own count, taken from the Austrian national register (BMFWF open data and the study finder studienwahl.at), lists 589 programmes with English among their languages of instruction across 65 Austrian higher education institutions. Of those, 455 are taught in English only and the rest in German and English, apart from four that also include another language. These figures are as of October 2026, so treat them as a snapshot rather than a fixed number.
The study finder labels every programme with its languages of instruction, which makes it easy to filter. You can find programmes by language and subject on this site, or go straight to the official list at studienwahl.at/programmes-in-english. If you want to compare institutions first, browse the universities section and follow the links from there.
Does studying in English mean you need no German at all?
In class, often yes. Outside class, less so. The OeAD describes German as the predominant language of Austria's academic world, even where a programme is taught in English. That means administrative emails, some orientation sessions and plenty of daily life happen in German.
Some universities ask for proof of German at B2 level, others at C1, according to the OeAD. If your programme is in English, the language requirement is usually English instead, but the institution decides, so check the specific programme page rather than assuming. The OeAD points to free learning resources if you want to start German before you arrive, and the ÖIF Language Portal offers over 5,000 free exercises, videos and live online courses. ÖSD exams, if you need a certificate, are taken at more than 200 centres in more than 40 countries.
How do you apply, and what are the deadlines?
Admission is organised by each institution. There is no central application portal, and the OeAD does not handle study applications. That sounds obvious until you start looking for a single Austrian application system, there isn't one.
At public universities, the general application deadline for most bachelor's programmes is 5 September for the winter semester and 5 February for the summer semester. Other programmes, and applicants from outside the EU/EEA, can have different deadlines, so confirm with the institution. You can start by browsing all universities in Austria to see which ones offer your subject in English.
What you pay
Two figures matter. The student union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) is EUR 26.20 per semester and compulsory for all students. At public universities, EU/EEA students pay no tuition only within the programme's standard duration plus two semesters; after that, the rules change. Most other students pay EUR 726.72 per semester. These figures are as of October 2026. Any programme-specific fee should be checked with the institution, the catalogue lists it, but the institution confirms it.
Can you get a residence permit without German?
If you are from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland and staying more than six months, you need a Residence Permit, Student. The application fee on oesterreich.gv.at is EUR 218, and the authority decides within 90 days. The OeAD recommends submitting your documents in German, although English documents are accepted in some cases. That is a recommendation, not a guarantee, the residence authority makes the final call, and you should not treat this article as immigration advice.
Where a document has to be translated, budget time for it. The permit process runs alongside admission, not after it, so start early.
What is daily life like if your German is basic?
In Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck, you will find English-speaking staff in universities and student services, but not everywhere. Supermarkets, doctors' offices and rental contracts are mostly German. The practical fix is to learn enough German for daily errands, A2-ish conversational German helps more than you would think, while studying in English.
Free resources make this easier: the ÖIF Language Portal's exercises and videos cost nothing, and the OeAD points to further free learning materials. Some universities run German courses for incoming students; ask your institution's international office.
What are the limits of an English-only plan?
Three limits are worth knowing before you apply.
- Choice is narrower. 455 English-only programmes is a lot, but it is a fraction of what is on offer in German.
- Administration leans German. The OeAD's advice on German documents for the residence permit reflects how offices work.
- Language requirements vary. B2 at one university, C1 at another, the OeAD's summary makes clear there is no single national rule.
None of these is a reason to skip Austria. They are reasons to check the programme page, not just the country guide.
Sources
- OeAD, application and admission
- Austrian national register (BMFWF open data and studienwahl.at), as of October 2026
- OeAD, learning German
- OeAD, residence permit for students (no mobility)
- oesterreich.gv.at, admission of foreign students
- oesterreich.gv.at, residence permit, student
- This site's tuition overview
Frequently asked questions
Can I study in Austria without speaking German?
Yes, if you pick a programme taught in English. As of October 2026, our catalogue lists 455 programmes taught in English only and 130 in German and English, out of 589 with English among their languages of instruction. Check each programme page, because the institution sets the language requirement.
How many English-taught programmes are there in Austria?
Our catalogue, taken from the Austrian national register as of October 2026, lists 589 programmes with English among their languages of instruction across 65 institutions. Of those, 455 are English only. The official list at studienwahl.at/programmes-in-english is the place to confirm current offerings.
Do I need German to get a student residence permit?
The OeAD recommends submitting residence permit documents in German, although English documents are accepted in some cases. The residence authority decides, so check migration.gv.at and oesterreich.gv.at for the current requirements. The application fee is EUR 218 and the authority decides within 90 days.
What does it cost to study in Austria in English?
All students pay the student union fee of EUR 26.20 per semester. At public universities, EU/EEA students pay no tuition only within the standard duration plus two semesters; most other students pay EUR 726.72 per semester. These figures are as of October 2026, confirm any programme-specific fee with the institution.