Keystone logo

Study in Austria: A Guide for International Students

Sep 5, 2014
  • Study Abroad in Austria
Wiesing, Austria

Studying abroad comes with multiple benefits for your personal and professional development, like experiencing new cultures and perspectives, enhancing your network and improving your language skills. If you are still wondering which European country should be your next study abroad destination, we have the right answer for you: Austria! 

Austria or Österreich or officially the Republic of Austria is a landlocked country located in the Central part of Northern Europe. The country shares borders with the beautiful countries of Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein and has a population of nearly 9 million people. The country is a federal republic and is divided into 9 states (Bundesländer) and is located in the heart of the Alps. 

Find a program

Want to study in Austria? Find & compare programs

But why is study in Austria the absolute best decision you can make? According to the Legatum Prosperity Index which studied 167 countries around the globe, Austria ranks 4th in safety and security, 22nd in education, 5th in natural environment, 11th in living conditions and 14th in personal freedom.

Plus, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) supports that Austria ranks higher than any other country in Europe in terms of well being. Are you still in doubt to study in Austria?

Austria is considered a world-class tourism destination, thanks to its astonishing skiing landscapes of the Central Eastern Alps, dazzling mountains for summer hiking and breath-taking lakes. The Austrian Alps extend to the countries of Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein and Slovenia and lie within Hohe Tauern, one of Europe’s largest national parks. 

Austria offers countless sport opportunities, so if you are a sports fan as well, even better! The most popular national sports include football, alpine skiing, swimming, ice-hockey, mountain biking and cycling.

Once considered the capital of Europe, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was a strong power from 1867 until its collapse after World War I. Throughout the 19th century, the capital city of Vienna was the center of arts, music and culture and it is still known as the world's capital of classical music.

The Austrian music legacy is still alive thanks to the famous composers Mozart, Wagner, Strauss and Schubert. It is also the home country of the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, female ruler Maria Theresia and the famous actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

More than 60.000 international students (which count 26% of the country’s student population) have already chosen to study abroad in Austria, charmed by the art, culture, intellectual history, unique architecture and magical memorable landscapes. Read through our Study in Austria Guide to find out more now!


Austria - Quick facts & figures

CapitalVienna
LanguageAustrian German
Population8.935 million
Area Size83,879 km²
International students60,000
Academic YearOctober - September
CurrencyEuro (€)
Calling Code+43
Time zoneCET (UTC+1)
Austrian mountains

More about studying abroad in Austria

But why study in Austria is the best choice you can make for your academic education? Austria combines a long academic tradition based on open-minded atmosphere, creativity and innovation.

Overall, Austria offers six types of higher education institutions: 22 public universities, including 6 Universities of the Arts, 3 Medical Universities and 3 Technical Universities, 16 private universities, 21 universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen) and 14 University Colleges of Teacher Education (Pädagogische Hochschulen). As you can see, the study choices are endless!

Plus, studies in Austria are quite affordable, especially if you are a European national, where you can study almost for free. Austria has some of the best universities in the world ranking high in the global university rankings like the University of Vienna (the oldest and most famous university of the country), the Vienna University of Technology, Innsbruck University, University of Graz, University of Salzburg or Johannes Kepler University Linz, to name a few. 

For the majority of the study programs you need to know the German language. However, don’t be discouraged! Another reason answering why study in Austria is a great option is that the country offers multiple English-taught programs, especially on a postgraduate level and that you can take courses in German language as well while studying!

   

Student Ambassador in Austria

Renata is an educations.com Student Ambassador from North Macedonia. Follow her on TikTok to find out what it's like to study in Austria! 


Education System

Want to learn about how the higher education system works in Austria? Austria is one of the popular destinations for a variety of students, given its diverse programs. Take a minute to find out more about the structure of the education system in Austria!

Student Visas

Do you need a visa to enter Austria to study? Learn more about the student visa process, and what you need to enter the country, depending on your citizen status. You will also be required to bring certain documents with you to passport control at the airport, which we cover as well.

Housing & Living Costs

No matter where you study abroad, it’s important to create a budget in advance so that you’re prepared. Therefore, we’ve detailed average living and housing costs so that you can get a better idea of what you would be paying as a student in Austria.

Tuition Fees & Scholarships

Tuition fees for degree programs in Austria may vary. To cover the rest of the costs, there're some scholarship opportunities available.

Language & Culture

Austria is a country rich in history and culture. Find out more about what the country offers in terms of language, culture, and more!

Application Process

All countries have specific admissions requirements for students to gain acceptance into a university. Learn more about the ins and outs of admission to programs in Austria, and what you need to apply, depending on your citizenship.

Programs

Ready to look at education in Austria? Use our search engine to find and compare top programs in Austria today!

The content of this country guide has been developed in partnership by OeAD.

About OeAD


OeAD is Austria’s leading non-profit-making service organisation in the field of international cooperation in education and research. The activities of the OeAD embrace general, academic and vocational education with – historically grown – specific focus on academic mobility.