You apply directly to the university you want, not through a central portal. Most institutions take applications online, and you send your documents to their admissions office. The OeAD, Austria's academic exchange service, does not handle study applications at all. Each institution decides who gets in, so the exact rules and dates live on its own website.
Pick your programme first, then read its page
Before you worry about forms, work out what you want to study and in which language. Most programmes at Austrian higher education institutions are taught in German, but more and more are offered in English. That single fact changes everything else: your language proof, your deadlines, and how much paperwork you need.
Use our programme search to shortlist options, then open the institution's own page for the programme. That page is the authority. If you want a number we do not list here, such as an English test score, ask the admissions office rather than guessing.
Deadlines: the general rule and the exceptions
At public universities, the general closing date for first-time admission to most bachelor's and diploma programmes is 5 September for the winter semester and 5 February for the summer semester. That is the baseline. Plenty of institutions move it.
Universities can set different deadlines for master's and doctoral programmes, for programmes with an entrance procedure, and for applicants from outside the EU/EEA. Many do. Two real examples from the universities' own pages show how much the dates vary:
- University of Vienna, winter semester 2026/27: applications ran from 22 June to 5 September 2026 for EU/EEA applicants, and from 22 June to 3 August 2026 for non-EU/EEA applicants. Programmes with an entrance exam have their own periods.
- TU Wien, bachelor's programmes, winter semester 2026/27: the general admission period runs from 6 July to 12 September 2027. Bachelor's programmes with an entrance exam, such as computer science, architecture and spatial planning, have separate registration deadlines.
Universities of the arts, private universities, universities of applied sciences and university colleges of teacher education all set their own deadlines. The OeAD warns that the closing date for an entrance examination can be up to six months before the semester starts. Apply as early as you can, because foreign documents take longer to review.
What the admissions office will ask you for
For a bachelor's programme you need a secondary school leaving certificate that qualifies you for university study in your own country. The university then decides whether there is an essential difference from the Austrian Reifeprüfung. If there is, you may have to sit a supplementary examination. A completed degree of at least three years from a recognised post-secondary institution, an International Baccalaureate Diploma or the European Baccalaureate also qualify you.
For a master's programme you need a relevant bachelor's degree of at least six semesters, which is 180 ECTS. For a PhD you need a master's degree in the same field as your research proposal, or something equivalent.
Expect to send a copy of your passport as well. Foreign documents such as transcripts have to be presented in the original and as a photocopy, and they have to be legalised. If a document is in a language other than German or English, add a legalised translation. Translations done abroad also have to be legalised.
Some public university programmes restrict admission, either with an entrance examination or with a selection process during your first two semesters. The OeAD names architecture, biology, business, computer science, medicine, dentistry and psychology as examples. Universities of applied sciences run their own entrance procedure, usually written documents, written or oral tests and an interview.
Language: prove it before you arrive
For a German-taught programme, the OeAD says some universities look for B2 and others for C1. If you cannot prove enough German, a university can require a supplementary examination before admission, and the preparatory course for that examination needs at least A2. University preparation programmes (Vorstudienlehrgänge) offer intensive German courses for applicants who have been admitted.
For an English-taught programme you prove English at the level the programme itself states. We cannot give you a single score, because it varies by programme. Check the programme page.
Money: fees, scholarships and proof of means
Higher education is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. If you are from outside that group, whether you pay a tuition fee, and how much, depends on your citizenship, how long you have been studying and whether you are in a degree or non-degree programme. The University of Vienna, for instance, charges a tuition or Students' Union fee each semester on exactly those criteria. Read our guide to tuition fees for the detail, and confirm the current amount with your institution before you budget.
Scholarships exist. The University of Vienna offers merit scholarships, for example, and there are external funding options too. Browse scholarships to see what fits your situation.
Proof of means, health insurance and housing are all part of the same residence application, so plan them together rather than one at a time.
The residence permit, working, and staying on
If you are from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland and you plan to stay more than six months, you need a residence permit. The fee is EUR 218 and the decision takes up to 90 days. Apply early, because a slow decision can cost you your place. Our residence permit guide walks through the steps.
While you study you can get an employment permit for up to 20 hours a week without a labour market test. Your employer applies for it at the labour market service (AMS), and the work must not get in the way of your studies.
After you graduate, the student permit can be extended once by twelve months so you can look for work or start a business. A change to a Red-White-Red Card is possible afterwards.
Quick comparison of application routes
| Institution type | How you apply | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Public university | Online form plus documents to the admissions office | 5 September and 5 February general dates, but check the institution's own page |
| University of applied sciences | Usually online | Entrance procedure with documents, tests and an interview |
| University college of teacher education | Online registration for most programmes | Sufficient German required |
| University of the arts, private university | Direct to the institution | Different deadlines, often an entrance examination instead of a general qualification |
Once you are in
On arrival you enrol and register for your courses, and that often means visiting administrative offices in person. Check your institution's website for the exact steps. If anything about your eligibility, your documents or the admission procedure is unclear, contact the admissions office of the institution you are applying to. They decide, not us, and not the OeAD.
Frequently asked questions
Do I apply to Austrian universities through a central portal?
No. There is no central application portal. You apply directly to the institution you want to study at, usually through an online form, and send your documents to its admissions office. The OeAD does not handle study applications.
What is the deadline for applying to an Austrian university?
At public universities the general closing date for most bachelor's and diploma programmes is 5 September for the winter semester and 5 February for the summer semester. Universities can set different deadlines for master's and doctoral programmes, for programmes with an entrance procedure and for applicants from outside the EU/EEA, so check your institution's own page.
What documents do I need for a bachelor's programme in Austria?
You need a secondary school leaving certificate that qualifies you for university study in your country, plus a copy of your passport. Foreign documents have to be presented in the original and as a photocopy and have to be legalised, with legalised translations if they are not in German or English.
How much does a student residence permit cost in Austria?
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who stay more than six months need a residence permit. The fee is EUR 218 and the decision takes up to 90 days, so apply early.