Tuition fees in Austria

Public universities

Students from EU and EEA countries (and Switzerland), Austrian citizens, convention refugees and some other groups pay no tuition for the standard duration of the curriculum plus two tolerance semesters. TU Wien spells that out as 8 semesters for a bachelor's (6+2), 6 for a master's (4+2) and 8 for a doctorate (6+2). After that they pay EUR 363.36 a semester.

Third-country students who hold a residence permit for students pay EUR 726.72 a semester from the first semester. Nationals of a list of least developed countries, named in an annex to the Studienbeitragsverordnung, are generally exempt from tuition and pay only the student union fee; Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Uganda are on that list. There are further exemptions and refunds in special cases, for example some scholarships, exchange programmes and partner agreements; ask the university's student administration.

Universities of applied sciences, private universities and teacher training colleges

The OeAD says universities of applied sciences are entitled to charge tuition and that private universities and university colleges of teacher education set their own fees. For most programmes at universities of applied sciences the register lists EUR 363.36 a semester; for private universities it lists no figure and points to the institution's website. Confirm every amount with the institution for your intake.

What else you pay

• Living costs, which over a degree are usually the bigger number. See cost of living.
• The residence permit application fee of EUR 218 for students from outside the EU/EEA. See residence permit.
• Health insurance: public student self-insurance costs EUR 78.84 a month in 2026 for students who have no other cover. See health insurance.
• Entrance examinations and some applications carry their own fees; the institution tells you.

Reducing the bill

The OeAD says it offers no scholarship for a whole bachelor's, master's or PhD programme and that there are hardly any such scholarships in Austria. Erasmus Mundus joint master's programmes carry scholarships, and a few institutions such as Central European University grant merit-based aid. Study stays of one to ten months are funded by the Ernst Mach and CEEPUS grants. Browse the scholarships page.