You can study in Innsbruck at five higher education institutions listed in our catalogue, and the choice covers public universities, a university of applied sciences and teacher education colleges. Each institution handles its own admission, so you apply directly, there is no central application portal. This guide sets out who is there, what it costs and how to get in, based only on what we can verify.
Which institutions are in Innsbruck?
Our universities in Innsbruck city page lists five institutions. They are the University of Innsbruck (public university), the Medical University of Innsbruck (public university), MCI | The Entrepreneurial School (university of applied sciences), KPH Edith Stein (university college of teacher education) and the University College of Teacher Education Tyrol (university college of teacher education). The OeAD also lists UMIT TIROL, a private university for health sciences, medical informatics and technology, with its seat in Hall in Tirol near Innsbruck. So the city and its immediate surroundings give you a mix of academic and applied paths.
Across all of Austria, our catalogue lists 65 higher education institutions and 589 programmes with English among their languages of instruction, imported from the Austrian national register. Of those, 455 are taught in English only and the rest in German and English. You can browse the full set on our all universities in Austria page.
What does it cost to live and study in Innsbruck?
The OeAD's average monthly living-cost estimate for a student in Austria is about EUR 1,300, and the figure varies by study location. Treat that as a starting point, not a quote for Innsbruck, your rent, room type and habits will move the number. For a fuller breakdown, see our cost of living guide and our accommodation guide.
On top of living costs come the study fees. The student union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) is EUR 26.20 per semester and is compulsory for all students. At public universities, EU/EEA students pay no tuition within the standard duration of the programme plus two semesters; most other students pay EUR 726.72 per semester. If you are outside that group, or you run past the standard duration plus two semesters, budget for the tuition figure. Programmes and fees on this site come from the Austrian national register as of October 2026, and readers must confirm them with the institution.
How do you apply?
Admission is organised by each institution, not centrally. The OeAD does not handle study applications, and there is no central application portal, so start on the website of the university or college you want, not on a government site. 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 check the specific programme page before you plan anything.
For master's programmes, university of applied sciences courses and teacher education colleges, the date is set by the institution. Ask them directly and get the answer in writing. If you are unsure where to begin, our guide to all universities in Austria lets you filter by city and language of instruction.
Do you need a residence permit?
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland need a Residence Permit, Student for a stay of more than six months. The application fee on oesterreich.gv.at is EUR 218, and the authority decides within 90 days. The residence authority decides on permits, not the university and not us. For the current forms, wording and any updates, check oesterreich.gv.at and migration.gv.at before you apply.
Because the decision can take up to 90 days, plan your application around your programme's start date, not the other way round. Your institution's admission letter is usually part of the permit file, so you need admission first.
What should you check before you apply?
Three things, in this order. First, confirm the programme exists for the intake you want and that its language of instruction matches your level, the register lists languages, but institutions can change arrangements. Second, confirm the fee with the institution. Third, confirm the deadline in writing. The figures in this guide are as of the dates given above, and the register data is as of October 2026.
- Institution: each one runs its own admission, so contact them directly.
- Deadline: 5 September (winter) and 5 February (summer) are the general public-university dates for most bachelor's programmes; other programmes and non-EU/EEA applicants can differ.
- Fees: ÖH-Beitrag EUR 26.20 per semester; EU/EEA students pay no tuition at public universities within the standard duration plus two semesters; most other students pay EUR 726.72 per semester.
- Permit: Residence Permit, Student for stays over six months; EUR 218 fee; decision within 90 days.
| Item | Figure | Where to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| ÖH student union fee | EUR 26.20 per semester | The institution |
| Tuition for most non-EU/EEA students at public universities | EUR 726.72 per semester | The institution |
| Residence permit application fee | EUR 218 | oesterreich.gv.at |
| Average monthly living cost (OeAD estimate for Austria) | About EUR 1,300 | OeAD; varies by location |
Sources
- OeAD, institutions directory.
- OeAD, living costs.
- OeAD, application and admission.
- oesterreich.gv.at, admission of international students.
- oesterreich.gv.at, residence permit for students.
- OeAD, tuition fees.
- Austrian national register (BMFWF open data and studienwahl.at), as of October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many universities are there in Innsbruck?
Our catalogue lists five institutions in Innsbruck: the University of Innsbruck, the Medical University of Innsbruck, MCI | The Entrepreneurial School, KPH Edith Stein and the University College of Teacher Education Tyrol. The OeAD also lists UMIT TIROL, a private university with its seat in Hall in Tirol near Innsbruck.
What is the application deadline for the University of Innsbruck?
At public universities the general 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 check with the institution.
How much does it cost to study in Innsbruck?
The ÖH student union fee is EUR 26.20 per semester for all students. At public universities, EU/EEA students pay no tuition within the standard duration of the programme plus two semesters, while most other students pay EUR 726.72 per semester. The OeAD's average monthly living-cost estimate for Austria is about EUR 1,300, though it varies by location.
Do I need a visa or residence permit to study in Innsbruck?
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland need a Residence Permit, Student for a stay of more than six months. The application fee on oesterreich.gv.at is EUR 218 and the authority decides within 90 days. The residence authority decides on permits, so check oesterreich.gv.at and migration.gv.at for the current rules.