Study abroad·Europe· 9 min read

How to Study in Austria: Complete Guide for International Students

A complete guide to studying in Austria — public universities and universities of applied sciences, low tuition, German-taught bachelor and English master's, applying via studyinaustria.at (OeAD), and the student residence permit.

Last updated 3 July 2026

Key facts

Official portal: studyinaustria.at (OeAD)
Institution types: Public universities, universities of applied sciences, private universities
Language: Bachelor's often German-taught; more English-taught at master's/PhD
Public-university tuition: Modest per-semester fee + ÖH union contribution (verify current amount)
Residence permit: Residence Permit – Student, applied for before entry (stays over 6 months)
Scholarships: OeAD scholarship database (government + university + external)

Why Austria, and how its higher education works

Austria offers respected, relatively low-cost degrees in a central-European setting, with strong programmes in engineering, sciences, business, music, and the arts. Its higher education has a few institution types: public universities, universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen / UAS), and private universities.

Degrees follow the European (Bologna) structure of bachelor, master, and doctorate, plus some longer programmes such as diploma degrees. The official starting point is studyinaustria.at, run by the OeAD (Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation), which lists programmes and scholarships and explains the entry steps.

A practical point on language: many bachelor's programmes at public universities are taught in German, while a large share of English-taught options are at master's and doctoral level. Plan your language route early, because it shapes which programmes are open to you.

Institution types: public universities, universities of applied sciences, private universities
Official portal: studyinaustria.at (OeAD)
Bachelor's often German-taught; more English-taught at master's/PhD level

Tuition at Austrian universities

Austrian public universities are known for low tuition. Non-EU/EEA students at public universities typically pay a modest tuition fee per semester plus the compulsory students' union contribution (ÖH-Beitrag). Universities of applied sciences may charge their own fees, and private universities set fees that can be much higher, especially for specialised programmes.

Because the exact fee depends on the institution and your situation, treat any specific figure you see as something to verify on the university's own page for your programme and year. The distinction between a public university, a UAS, and a private university matters a lot for cost.

Even where tuition is low, you must still budget for living costs, health insurance, and accommodation, which are the larger part of the total for most students.

Public universities: modest per-semester tuition + the ÖH union contribution
Universities of applied sciences and private universities set their own (often higher) fees
Verify the exact fee on the institution's page; budget separately for living costs

Applying and language requirements

You apply to each institution for your chosen programme, meeting its admission requirements. Public universities generally admit qualified applicants who meet the requirements, though some fields (for example medicine and certain popular programmes) use entrance examinations or selection procedures, while universities of applied sciences typically run their own competitive selection.

Admission requires that your prior qualification gives access to the corresponding level of study; universities assess your secondary certificate (for a bachelor's) or degree (for a master's), and may require specific subject prerequisites. Indian documents commonly need apostille legalisation.

For German-taught programmes you must prove German at the required level; for English-taught programmes you provide English proficiency such as IELTS or TOEFL. Some fields also accept a subject-specific admission test such as the TestAS. Confirm the accepted qualifications, tests, and scores with each programme.

Apply per institution; some fields use entrance exams or competitive selection
Prior qualification must give access to the study level — verify subject prerequisites
German-taught needs German proof; English-taught needs IELTS/TOEFL (TestAS in some fields)

Student residence permit and proof of funds

Austria is in the Schengen Area. If you are a non-EU/EEA student planning to stay longer than six months, you generally apply for the "Residence Permit – Student" before entering Austria, using your letter of admission from an Austrian higher education institution. For shorter stays a different entry route may apply.

As part of the application you normally have to show sufficient financial means for your stay, along with health insurance and accommodation. The required proof-of-funds level is set by the authorities and updated periodically, so confirm the current amount rather than relying on an older figure.

This is general information, not immigration advice. Residence-permit categories, proof-of-funds levels, and processing times change and depend on your situation — verify everything on the official OeAD and Austrian government sources before you travel.

Non-EU students staying over six months: apply for the Residence Permit – Student before entry
You must show sufficient funds, health insurance, and accommodation
Verify the current proof-of-funds amount and process on official sources

Scholarships, costs, and living

The OeAD platform is the central place to search for scholarships in Austria, listing government, university, and external funding for international students. Eligibility, amounts, and deadlines are set by each scheme and change every cycle, so rely on the official OeAD scholarship database for current details.

A scholarship is competitive and awarded on published, secular criteria — it can never be bought or guaranteed by any agent. Apply only through official channels, and be wary of anyone promising a guaranteed award for a fee.

Beyond tuition, budget realistically for accommodation, health insurance, and everyday living, which vary by city — Vienna and other larger cities are generally more expensive than smaller university towns. Treat all fee and cost figures as something to verify on official sources for your specific case.

Search scholarships on the official OeAD database (government + university + external)
Awards are secular and competitive — never guaranteed or for sale
Budget for accommodation, insurance, and living; costs vary by city

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Austria in English?

Many English-taught programmes exist, especially at master's and doctoral level, while many bachelor's programmes at public universities are taught in German. For English-taught programmes you generally need English proficiency such as IELTS or TOEFL; for German-taught programmes you need German at the required level. Confirm the language requirement with each programme.

How much is tuition in Austria?

Austrian public universities are known for low tuition — non-EU/EEA students typically pay a modest per-semester fee plus the compulsory students' union contribution. Universities of applied sciences and private universities set their own, often higher, fees. Verify the exact amount on the institution's own page for your programme and year.

What residence permit do I need to study in Austria?

Non-EU/EEA students planning to stay longer than six months generally apply for the "Residence Permit – Student" before entering Austria, showing admission, sufficient funds, health insurance, and accommodation. This is general information, not immigration advice — verify current requirements and proof-of-funds levels on the official OeAD and Austrian government sources.

How much money do I need to show for an Austrian student permit?

You generally have to prove sufficient financial means for your stay, and the required amount is set and updated by the authorities. Because the figure changes, always confirm the current proof-of-funds level on the official OeAD or Austrian government source rather than relying on an older number.

Where do I search for scholarships in Austria?

The OeAD platform (studyinaustria.at and its scholarship database) is the central hub listing government, university, and external funding for international students. Eligibility, amounts, and deadlines vary by scheme and change each cycle. Awards are secular and competitive — apply only through official channels and never pay to "guarantee" one.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: Study in Austria — tuition fees (OeAD); OeAD — Residence Permit (Student, no mobility programme).

Last verified: 3 July 2026.