You apply directly to the institution, not through a central portal. Most bachelor's programmes at public universities close on 5 September for the winter semester and 5 February for the summer semester. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland also need a Residence Permit - Student before they can settle in.
Four kinds of institution, four ways in
The OeAD, Austria's agency for education and internationalisation, groups Austrian higher education into four types. They differ in how you get in and what you pay, so pick the type before you pick the course.
- Public universities (23 listed by the OeAD). These include the medical universities and the art universities. Each university organises its own admission.
- Universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen, 18 in this directory). Every programme runs a selection procedure, usually documents, written or oral tests and an interview. They may charge tuition.
- Private universities (10 in this directory). They set their own admission rules and their own fees.
- University colleges of teacher education (14). They train teachers and require sufficient German. None has an English-taught degree programme in the register, so they are listed for completeness.
You can browse the full list on our page of all Austrian institutions. Quality at private universities and universities of applied sciences is checked by AQ Austria, the agency for quality assurance and accreditation. There is no official star rating.
Finding a programme, and checking the language
Most programmes in Austria are taught in German, and the OeAD says more are offered in English every year. Of the 589 programmes in this directory, 455 are taught in English only and the rest in German and English. The language is shown on every programme page, so check it before you apply.
Use our programme search to shortlist courses, then go to the institution's own website and read the entry requirements there. The OeAD is clear that it does not handle any study applications. It provides general guidance only. For your eligibility, the admission procedure and the documents you need, contact the admission office of the institution you are applying for.
Deadlines and documents
At public universities the closing dates are 5 September for the winter semester and 5 February for the summer semester. Foreign documents can take longer to review, so send your application as early as you can. Some programmes with entrance examinations close up to six months before the semester begins, so check the date on the institution's site rather than assuming the general one applies.
For a bachelor's programme, universities typically ask for proof of nationality (a photocopy of your passport), a secondary school leaving certificate that entitles you to university studies in your home country (or an equivalent certificate if yours is from outside the EU/EEA), and proof of German. That proof can be a school leaving certificate showing at least four years of German lessons, a German language diploma or similar documents.
Foreign documents such as transcripts must be presented in the original and as a photocopy, and must be legalised. If they are in a language other than German or English, add legalised translations. Translations done abroad also need legalising.
Some subjects, including Architecture, Biology, Business, Computer Science, Medicine, Dentistry and Psychology, may have admission restrictions. That can mean an entrance examination before admission or a selection process in your first two semesters. Ask the university directly.
Universities of applied sciences, private universities, art universities and teacher education colleges set their own deadlines. Many do not require the general university entrance qualification at all. Instead you sit an entrance examination or show a relevant professional qualification.
What it costs
Tuition depends on where you study and who you are. At public universities, most non-EU students pay EUR 726.72 a semester. Higher education is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland within the standard time. On top of any tuition, everyone pays the student union fee of EUR 26.20 a semester. Private universities and universities of applied sciences set their own fees, so ask them. Our tuition fees page breaks this down further.
Living costs are the other half of the budget. The OeAD puts the average at about EUR 1,300 a month. Our cost of living guide shows what that covers. No university allocates you a room, so start looking for accommodation early.
If money is tight, look at funding before you apply. Our scholarships page lists what is available to international students.
The academic year and how degrees are built
The Austrian academic year usually starts on 1 October and ends on 30 September. It has two semesters: the winter semester from 1 October to 30 January, and the summer semester from 1 March to 30 September. There are breaks when no lectures are held, at Christmas, between semesters and in summer. Exceptions happen, so confirm the schedule with your institution.
All institutions use ECTS credits. The main programme types look like this:
| Programme | Entry requirement | Credits and length |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | School leaving certificate or equivalent | At least 180 ECTS |
| Master's | A relevant bachelor's degree of at least 6 semesters (min 180 ECTS) | At least 120 ECTS |
| Doctoral/PhD | A diploma or master's degree | At least three years, no ECTS awarded |
| Diploma | Varies by institution | 4 to 6 years; awards Magistra or Magister, or Diplom-Ingenieur(in) for engineers |
For a PhD, your master's degree should be in the same field as your research proposal, or equivalent.
After you arrive, and after you graduate
Once you are in Austria you need to enrol and register for your courses. This often means visiting administrative offices in person, so check your institution's website for the details.
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland need a Residence Permit - Student. The authority decides on your application, not the university and not us, so follow the official steps exactly and allow time. If you have questions about entry and residence, the OeAD points you to its information on that topic.
When you finish, have the recognition of your Austrian degree checked in your home country. ENIC-NARIC, at www.enic-naric.net, is the place to start. For recognition of higher education qualifications for professional purposes, contact ENIC-NARIC as well.
Your next three steps
- Shortlist programmes on our programme search and note the language of teaching.
- Contact the admission office of each institution and confirm the deadline, the documents and any entrance examination date.
- Work out your budget with the fees and living costs pages, then check scholarships before you send anything off.
Frequently asked questions
Do I apply to Austrian universities through a central portal?
No. There is no central application portal, and the OeAD does not handle study applications. You apply directly to the institution, which assesses your school certificate or degree and tells you which requirements apply.
What is the application deadline for Austrian public universities?
For most bachelor's programmes the closing date is 5 September for the winter semester and 5 February for the summer semester. Programmes with entrance examinations can close up to six months before the semester starts, so check with the institution.
How much does it cost to study in Austria as a non-EU student?
At public universities most non-EU students pay EUR 726.72 a semester, and everyone pays a student union fee of EUR 26.20 a semester. Higher education is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland within the standard time.
Do I need a residence permit to study in Austria?
Yes, if you come from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. You apply for a Residence Permit - Student, and the authority decides on your application. Follow the official steps and allow enough time before your semester starts.