For most universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) in this directory, the Austrian national register lists tuition of EUR 363.36 per semester, plus the EUR 26.20 student union fee. That EUR 363.36 is the number you will see again and again when you search for “Austria Fachhochschule tuition fee per semester”. Private universities are different: the register lists no fees for them at all, because each one sets its own.
So your first question should be “which type of institution am I looking at?”, and your second should be “what does that specific institution charge me?”. Here is how to work through it without guessing.
What universities of applied sciences charge
Universities of applied sciences are entitled to charge tuition fees. The law does not fix a single rate for every programme, so the institution decides. That is why the general rule is simple: contact the institution for the details of your programme.
In practice, the register gives a useful benchmark. For most programmes at universities of applied sciences in this directory, it lists EUR 363.36 per semester for tuition, together with the EUR 26.20 student union fee. Treat that as the catalogue figure, not a promise. Fees can change, and some programmes differ.
There is at least one exception in the data. One programme in the register states that there is no tuition fee, but there is still the EUR 26.20 student union fee and a deposit for the first semester. So “no tuition” does not mean “no payment at all”.
The student union fee is always there
The student union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) is EUR 26.20 per semester and compulsory for all students. It applies whether you are at a public university, a university of applied sciences or a private university. Budget for it every semester.
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. That is the public university model, and it is different from the university of applied sciences model above. If you are comparing options, our tuition fees guide sets out the public university rules in one place.
Private universities: the register lists no fees
Private universities set their own fees, and the register lists none for them. It points you to the institution's website instead. That means there is no central figure to quote, and you should not assume the university of applied sciences rate applies.
Ask each private university directly: what is the tuition per semester, what is the application fee, are there deposits, and are there payment plans? Get it in writing before you accept a place.
Your fee can depend on your nationality
Fees can differ for students from outside the EU/EEA. The EUR 363.36 figure is a register entry for most programmes, not a universal rate. Ask the institution which rate applies to you, and say clearly which passport you hold when you ask.
This is also where the residence permit comes in. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland need a Residence Permit, Student for a stay of more than six months. As of the current wording on oesterreich.gv.at, the application fee is EUR 218 and the authority decides within 90 days. That fee is separate from tuition. Add it to your budget.
Application is not centralised
Admission is organised by each institution. The OeAD does not handle study applications, and there is no central application portal. You apply to the university of applied sciences or private university itself.
Deadlines are set by the institution too. 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, but other programmes and applicants from outside the EU/EEA can have different dates. Do not carry those dates over to a Fachhochschule without checking. The institution decides on admission, and the residence authority decides on your permit.
To see what is out there, browse all universities in Austria in our directory. We list 65 Austrian 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.
A quick comparison
| Institution type | Tuition as listed in the Austrian national register | Student union fee |
|---|---|---|
| University of applied sciences (most programmes in this directory) | EUR 363.36 per semester | EUR 26.20 per semester |
| University of applied sciences (one programme in the register) | No tuition fee, but a deposit for the first semester | EUR 26.20 per semester |
| Private university | Not listed; set by the institution | EUR 26.20 per semester |
| Public university, EU/EEA students | No tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters | EUR 26.20 per semester |
| Public university, most other students | EUR 726.72 per semester | EUR 26.20 per semester |
Always confirm the figure with the institution. Programmes and fees on this site come from the Austrian national register (BMFWF open data and the study finder studienwahl.at) as of October 2026.
If you want the wider picture before you choose a programme, read tuition fees in Austria for how the public system works, then come back to the institution's own page for the Fachhochschule or private university rate that applies to you.
Sources
- OeAD, tuition
- Austrian national register, open data (BMFWF open data and studienwahl.at)
- OeAD, application and admission
- oesterreich.gv.at, admission of international students
- oesterreich.gv.at, Residence Permit, Student
Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at a Fachhochschule in Austria per semester?
For most programmes at universities of applied sciences in this directory, the Austrian national register lists EUR 363.36 per semester, plus the EUR 26.20 student union fee. Fees can differ, so confirm the exact figure with the institution.
Do private universities in Austria have the same fees as Fachhochschulen?
No. Private universities set their own fees and the register lists none for them; it points to the institution's website. Ask the private university directly for its tuition, deposits and payment terms.
Is the student union fee charged at every Austrian institution?
Yes. The student union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) is EUR 26.20 per semester and compulsory for all students, whether you are at a public university, a university of applied sciences or a private university.
Can my tuition be different if I come from outside the EU/EEA?
Yes, fees can differ for students from outside the EU/EEA. Tell the institution which passport you hold and ask which rate applies to you before you accept a place.