Higher Education in Austria
Today, higher education in Austria has a very similar structure to the rest of Europe with the introduction of the Bologna Declaration. With the reform to the new European system, degree structures are much the same as in the UK where a bachelor degree is earned in 3 years, and an additional master degree can be earned in a further one to two years of study.
Although most courses last between three and five years, it is very common for students to be enrolled at university for far longer. Many students stay at university for up to six or seven years before completing their studies. It has therefore become more common for employers in Austria to look at the rate at which you completed your degree rather than the grades you obtained.
The last stage of higher education - the Doctoral degrees or PhD courses in Austria still differ from most other countries. Doctoral degrees generally last two years and include only little if any course work. Focus is instead placed on the doctoral thesis - 150 to 300 pages long, publishable as a book or in a refereed journal. This too is changing, and more coursework is being added to conform to the Bologna Declaration within the EU.
Austrian Universities
Austria has six public universities offering degrees in a very broad range of disciplines in the arts, social science, law, medicine and science. The largest among these universities is the University of Vienna with 70,000 students. University of Vienna is also the oldest German speaking university, founded in 1365 and home to several Nobel Prize winners. Austria's six state universities are:
In addition to these general universities, there are fifteen specialized universities in Austria. These focus on for example technical studies, studies within the arts such as music, drama or design; Agriculture, Medicine, Business and Mining.
Necessary Qualifications
International students who aim to attend higher education in Austria need to provide proof of completed secondary education lasting at least 3 years, and equivalent to that of the Austrian Matura. Most secondary school systems will qualify you for entry provided that they qualify you for your course of study in the country where you completed your qualifications. It can be wise to apply well in advance in order to leave time for the extra processing of your papers. This applies especially to students applying from outside the EU.
A good command of German is generally a prerequisite for entry into higher education programs in Austria as most programs and degrees are taught exclusively in German. At the postgraduate level however, especially at private institutions who cater toward international students, classes are given in English.
Choices in Austrian Higher Education
Austria has a wide range of choices within higher education. Beyond the state run universities where you can study almost anything, you will find both private universities and "Fachhochschulen" which are specialized schools within the technology sector generally equivalent to polytechnics in the rest of Europe.
Private universities in Austria are still small in comparison to their public counterparts but steadily growing. Before applying to a private university it can be well worth checking their accreditation status with the Austrian Accreditation Council. Private universities are often strongly based on the American system in degree structure and regulations. As private universities have higher fees, make sure to research the school and its curriculum thoroughly to assess whether it is truly worth the extra money. A final attribute of some private universities in Austria is that they offer education in English if you do not feel that your German skills are quite up to par.
