Австрия, officially known as the
Bundesrepublik Österreich (
Federal Republic of Austria), is a country in Central Europe, largely dominated by the majestic Alps, which make it one of the most popular tourist destinations on the continent. The capital and main cultural center is
Vienna. Despite its relatively small size and a population of around 8 million inhabitants,
Австрия attracts over 80,000 international students each year, seeking educational opportunities in Europe. The official language of the country is
Немски.
ИКОНОМИЧНОСТ
Austria’s economy is strong, well-developed, and market-oriented, making it one of the most accessible and promising countries for students seeking quality education and a future in Europe. The country relies on close ties with other European economies, primarily
Германия, providing excellent opportunities for professional development after graduation.
Austria’s economy includes a broad services sector, a highly developed manufacturing industry, and a small but high-tech agricultural sector. The country is known for supporting both new technologies and traditional trade and industry. Most of
Austria’s businesses are small companies that provide employment and stimulate innovation. At the same time, there are large industrial firms in sectors such as steel production, metallurgy, and chemical industries, which employ thousands of workers and offer stable jobs and careers for highly qualified professionals.
УЧЕБНИ ЗАВЕДЕНИЯ
Higher education institutions in
Австрия are divided into several types:
- public universities
- private universities, and
- Fachhochschulen, which are similar to German universities of applied sciences. Unfortunately, the latter are not well recognized in global rankings, and it’s no surprise if you find them outside the top 2000 worldwide.
The situation with private universities is quite similar, often even more serious:
many private institutions have questionable accreditation, and their diplomas may not be recognized outside
Австрия after graduation.
An exception is
Central European University, which is one of the best private universities in the world in the fields of
international relations and political science.
Therefore, we recommend prospective students focus on
Austria’s public research universities, especially well-established in the country’s largest cities —
Vienna,
Linz,
Salzburg, and
Innsbruck. These institutions boast rich academic traditions and world-recognized diplomas, which can be highly beneficial for your career development. According to
QS World University Rankings 2025, the top
Austrian universities are:
PROGRAMS & SPECIALITIES
Most courses are taught mainly in
Немски, but many universities are considering the creation of programs in English.
The two main universities in Austria offering undergraduate programs in English are the University of Linz and WU Vienna. There are also other
Fachhochschulen with similar programs, but they tend to have a much lower ranking and often do not justify the investment of time and effort required for a full program.
Similar to programs in
Германия, here in
Австрия, there is a division into two main categories: the highly desired “
Numerus clausus” specialties and the “
Frei” specialties. The most popular
Numerus clausus programs among prospective students include medicine, business, law, computer science, international relations, and architecture. The second type of programs is called open-access or “
Frei” programs, such as economics, humanities, some social sciences, and others. The main difference is that numerus clausus programs often require an additional exam or interview, while open-access programs accept students solely based on documents.
DURATION OF DEGREES
Bachelor’s degree – 3 years
Master’s degree – 1-2 years
APPLICATION PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS
Applying to each university and program in
Австрия varies, with different deadlines and registration processes. It is not centralized like in
Германия, and while some universities may have a deadline in March of 12th grade, others might accept applications until August after graduation. Unlike countries such as the
ВЕЛИКОБРИТАНИЯ, the
Нидерландия, or the
САЩ, where motivation letters and extracurricular activities play a more significant role, in
Австрия, similar to
Германия and
Франция, an
excellent diploma grade is the primary factor for successful admission.
Typical requirements include:
- high school diploma or transcripts up to now;
- certificate of proficiency in German or English at level B2/C1, depending on the program;
- motivation letter;
- CV; and
- sometimes references.To prove German language proficiency, which is required, you should provide one of the following certificates:
- TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache): a widely recognized test accepted by all universities in Германия and Австрия. The minimum score usually required is level TDN 4 in each of the four parts (reading, listening, writing, and speaking).
- DSD (Deutsches Sprachdiplom): an official Немски language certificate issued by the German Ministry of Education, mainly for students abroad. You will need DSD II (B2–C1), not DSD I. For admission to most Немски and Austrian universities, DSD II with a result covering level C1 is generally required.
- ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch): an internationally recognized Немски language certificate established in Austria and accepted in many Немски-speaking countries, including Германия, Австрия, and Switzerland. Certificates are available from A1 to C2, and for university programs, B2 or C1 level is usually required, depending on the course.
- Goethe-Zertifikat: a globally recognized Немски language certification issued by the Goethe-Institut. It is available at all levels from A1 to C2 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). For university applications in Австрия, levels B2 or C1 (Goethe-Zertifikat C1) are generally required. The exam tests reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Keep in mind that if you apply with Goethe certificates, higher-level certificates than announced might be required, as they carry less weight.
- TELC: one of the internationally recognized certificates for proving Немски language skills, which can be considered lifelong for employment purposes, but for university admission, its validity is only two years, as with all other Немски, English, and Spanish certificates. If you are applying for programs taught in English, then German certificates are not necessary, and you should provide English certificates at levels B2 or C1, respectively.
TUITION FEES
Tuition fees in
Австрия are around 20 euro per semester. It is actually comic that application fees of around 50 euros sometimes might be higher than the yearly tuition fees.
ACCOMMODATION & HOUSING
Accommodation options in
Австрия include several choices:
- Dormitories: Many Austrian universities offer rooms in their own student dormitories. These facilities are usually more affordable than the market, often include additional benefits such as meals, sports facilities, and social events. Prices range between 250 and 400 euros.
- Private apartments: Students can rent a room in a private apartment or house, shared with other tenants. This can be a good option for students who prefer more flexible accommodation or want to live in a specific part of the city. The cost varies depending on location and other factors, with an average of about 400-600 euros in Vienna and roughly half in smaller towns.
- Student apartments: Some real estate companies specifically focus on providing housing for students. The prices for a small independent studio apartment start from approximately 900 euros.
LIFE OF AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN AUSTRIA – TIPS AND INFORMATION FOR PERSPECTIVE STUDENTS
1.Administrative requirements – Upon arrival in
Австрия, it is important to register with the local immigration office to obtain your personal identification number (
Meldezettel). This number is necessary for accessing healthcare services, opening bank accounts, and signing rental agreements. The process is straightforward but requires correctly submitted documents, so prepare in advance.
2. Health insurance –
Австрия offers excellent healthcare, but it is essential to arrange health insurance before your arrival. For EU students, holding an
European Health Insurance Card from
България will grant access to medical services in
Австрия until the local registration is completed. This provides access to free medical services within the EU while you obtain your local insurance.
3. Student discounts and opportunities –
Австрия offers students a variety of discounts and benefits that can make your stay more economical and fulfilling. Students can benefit from reductions at supermarkets, cafes, and sports centers. Remember to carry your student card with you to make the most of these advantages.
WORK DURING STUDIES IN AUSTRIA
Every student in
Австрия has the right to work part-time while studying — specifically, up to 20 hours per week. If you are fluent in English – you’ll have limited part-time jobs, most often as courier, while if you know both German and English – you can easily choose from restaurant positions, administrative work at your university or even internships in your area of study.
