Study in Austria: Application Process

On a scale from 1 to 10, how ready are you to apply to your Austrian dream university? We hope 10! The application process for Austrian universities is not complex. We are here to help you during your application. Just follow the following steps in order to get  a step closer to your next academic journey.

1. Choose a Program

This is the initial and most important step. Make a plan of the person you aspire to be in the following years. Follow your dreams and passions but also take into account the technological and societal changes of the future when picking the profession you want to have in the future. After that, decide the level of studies. Is it a Bachelor’s, a Master’s or you want to focus on research with a PhD? Bachelor’s studies in Austria are most exclusively taught in German, so make sure you acquire the necessary language proficiency level for admission.

 

2. Check the Admission Requirements 

Every university either public or private and every program, based on the discipline is unique and might have particular requirements for entry. Contact the program coordinators through an email from the official website if you have any questions about the admission’s criteria or if  something is unclear before you start gathering all the documentation. Great preparatory work makes outstanding applications!

3. Prepare the Paperwork

Probably the least fun part of the process and the most stressful one, but if you are well prepared, there is nothing to worry about. The application process for Austrian universities requires the following documents: 

• Proof of identification with an identity card or a passport and copies of them. 
• Passport size photographs. 
• High school diploma from your country of origin or equivalent. 
• Transcript of records with the grades of your previous education/studies. 
• Motivation letter written by you stating the reason you chose the program.
• A recommendation letter from your previous professors might be also asked.
• Proof of language proficiency in English through TOEFL or IELTS. 
• Proof of German language proficiency depending on the program and level of studies you are applying for through ÖSD, TestDaF, Goethe Institut or Telc Deutsch. 
• Proof of the application fee payment. 
• Proof of your bank statements that are sufficient to support you through your studies. 

4. Submit Your Application

The difficult part is gone, you have gathered all the necessary documentation. Now is time for your study application. The application process for Austrian universities is administered by the universities themselves, since there is no central application system. Therefore, you need to contact the universities you aim to apply for and they will provide you with more specific information.

All the applications are submitted online but there might be institutions that require you to send all the official documents through post. Bear in mind that this might need additional time so don’t delay to send everything on time. If you apply through the Austrian Embassy or Consulate of your country of origin, your application will be automatically forwarded to the educational institution you chose.

5. Apply for an Austrian Student Visa

Herzlichen Glückwunsch! You are admitted to an Austrian university. What comes next is for you to apply for your visa/residence permit if applicable, that will allow you to enjoy your studies with no obstacles. As an international student, start with the visa application as soon as possible. During that stage, you might be also asked to submit your first installment of tuition fees for your first semester, if applicable.

6. Arrive in Austria

After you have gained your admission and you have your visa ready, it is about time to start packing warm clothes for your studies in Austria! Start looking online for accommodation options, join online student forums to get a glimpse of how it is to be a student in Austria, start learning some basic German through a mobile app and finally buy an aeroplane ticket and arrive in the Alpine paradise of Europe. Good luck with your studies!

The content of this Study in Austria guide has been developed by OeAD - Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research.

About OeAD

OeAD is Austria’s leading non-profit-making service organization 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.