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Are you considering studying in AUSTRIA? Austria is not only located at the centre of Europe – the country has also played an important role in European history, being an integral part in shaping the Europe we know today. Austria itself is well-known for its magnificent winter sports scene in the Arlberg region, birthplace of modern Alpine skiing, and Innsbruck, in the foothills of the Alps.
However, the whole of Austria is mostly mountainous which makes for stunning scenery and endless walking possibilities throughout the year.
The main cities like Vienna and Graz are home to many baroque castles, palaces and gardens, and museums charting the part Austria had to play in both musical history and psychology. Famous Austrian musicians and composers include Haydn, Mahler, Liszt, and of course Mozart, while Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, was also born here.
Country Information – Benefits to be in AUSTRIA
Studying in Austria, Visiting Austria or moving for work to Austria! In recent years, Austria, one of Europe’s overlooked studies abroad destinations, has experienced a huge boost in interest from prospective students, and we think we know why.
For such a small country, the excellence of Austria’s universities is recognised worldwide. Many of them rank highly in international university rankings, ensuring you of a good quality education should you decide to study here. As well as that, the bonus for students originating elsewhere in the European Union is that tuition at any of the public universities is free. Even if you are coming from a country outside the EU, the fees are very reasonable and lower than many in the rest of Europe. The private universities can set their own rates which can be considerably higher, but there is so much choice for international students, you are sure to find one that suits your budget and your educational aspiration.
Details about Educational institutes, Colleges, Universities
Student have lots of institutions to choose from for education in Austria. A desire to pursue higher education and earn a degree doesn’t have to be stressful, boring or something to trudge through especially if you vault over one of the top universities or colleges in Austria. The University of Vienna is the oldest university in the German-speaking world as it was founded in 1365, and is perfectly placed in a town famous for its culture as well as nightlife. Associated with 15 Nobel Prize winners, and has nearly 200 different degree programmes to choose from, many of them taught in English.
- Strategic location in Europe – One of the biggest reasons to study in Austria is the strategic location, enabling students to discover eastern and central parts of the Continent easily. It has borders with eight countries which are accessible through the robust railway or bus networks.
Affordable and comfortable education – Many students prefer to study abroad in Austria due to its comparatively inexpensive education system. The country offers a more relaxed and comfortable curriculum where students can take their time. The costs of courses are also cheaper than in many other countries.
Beautiful landscapes – Austria offers towering mountains, pristine forests, and lovely lakes. Those studying in the country can look forward to exploring stunning landscapes and regions throughout the country on their weekends.
German learning opportunities – Most universities expect students to choose German classes with their semester credits. Studying here will help students learn German, one of the world’s most-spoken languages and a helpful tool for finding employment in Germany and Austria.
English-taught courses – Most universities offer programs that are taught in English, which ensures more convenience for students.
Great food options – Austria offers delicious global and domestic cuisines that students can savor. Vienna is the food hub of the country, along with Salzburg as well.
Rich culture and legacy – Austria is synonymous with classical music, UNESCO World Heritage sites, historical landmarks, music, literature, and more. The environment is attractive for students.
Affordable costs of living – Austria offers affordable transportation and accommodation costs for students. Food is also cheaper than in many other countries.
List of Top Austrian Universities:
- Alma Mater Europaea
- Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt
- Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
- Anton Bruckner University
- Central European University
- Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS)
- Diplomatic Academy of Vienna
- Donau University KREMS
- Danube University Krems
- Fachhochschule Technikum Karnten
- FH Joanneum
- Graz University of Technology
- IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems
- IACA – International Anti-Corruption Academy
- IMADEC University
- Innsbruck Medical University
- Innsbruck Medical University
- Johannes Kepler University Linz
- Karl-Franzens-Universitaet Graz
- MODUL University Vienna
- New Design University
- Paris Lodron University of Salzburg
- Salzburg Urstein Institute
- Salzburg University of Applied Sciences
- Technische Universität Wien
- TU Wien
- University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien
- University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria
- University of Graz
- University of Innsbruck
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
- University of Salzburg
- University of Vienna
- University of Vienna Postgraduate Center
- Webster Vienna Private University
- WU Vienna University of Economics and Business
- Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
- Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien
- Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien
- Universität Innsbruck
- University Mozarteum Salzburg
- University of Applied Arts Vienna
- University of Klagenfurt
- University of Leoben
- University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna
- University of Vienna
- Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences
- Webster University – Geneva Campus
- WU Executive Academy
Language Tests or Language requirements
Do I need to pass and ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST to study in Austria? Is the question you must be having in your mind. Let us make it clear and precise for you. If your first language is not English, you’ll need to show excellent language proficiency to apply to a Austrian university.
When you apply for a university in Austria, you have to provide proof of: German language proficiency – if you apply for German-taught degrees. English language proficiency – if you apply for English-taught degrees (accepted tests are: IELTS Academic and TOEFL. (Duolingo and PTE Academic are now considered by a few universities)
- IELTS: IELTS is a commonly accepted English test all over the world. The most common requirement to study in Austria in an English-language Masters or Bachelor’s degree programme. an IELTS score of 6.5 (with no section below 5.5), an IELTS score of 6.5 (with no section below 5.5), and/or an IELTS score of 7.0 (with no section below 6.0).
- TOEFL: TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language is accepted by most Austria universities and colleges. A TOEFL PBT score of 4.0 in the written test with an overall score of 490, a TOEFL iBT score of 19 in the written test with an overall score of 80, and/or a TOEFL iBT score of 20 in the written test with an overall score of 90,
- PTE: PTE is accepted by Austria universities too. You can use your score to follow your university and university applications quickly. a Person PTE Academic score of 49. a Person PTE Academic score of 60 (writing 59), and/or a Person PTE Academic score of 65 (writing 61).
- DUOLINGO: Duolingo is accepted for visas in Austria. The DET has been made a permanent offering as a current minimum English language standard for Austria study visas. For a second-level and foundation level or preparatory English course, test takers must have a minimum score of 75.
VISA types and Its Understandings
A student visa is a type of visa required by foreign nationals to study and stay in Austria for the duration of their studies. A student who is not a citizen of Austria but wants to study in Austria requires an Austria Student Visa to fulfil this purpose. Any foreign student who enrols on a course lasting three months or more in Austria will require a student visa.
The students belonging to the EU are allowed to come and study without a visa in Austria. A valid travel document is required. The students belonging to any other place than the EU and looking forward to staying there for more than 6 months must apply for a Residence Permit. The time of 6 weeks is taken by the embassy for the appointment of an interview. The time duration of visa processing is around 1 to 4 weeks.
There are different types of visas meant for people intending to pursue educational activities in Austria:
Type of Student Visa for Austria
- Short Stay Student Visa – Austria Student Visa (Type C): If you are planning to do a short-term course, diploma, or certification, the duration of which is a maximum of 3 months, then you need to apply for this type of visa
- Long Stay Student Visa: – Austria Residence Permit (Type D): If your programme lasts for longer than six months, you are eligible for this visa type.
Admission & VISA Application Process
Admission process explained in a simplified way
- Apply for a school in Austria
- Receive Offer Letter & Pay Initial Fees
- Submit Visa Application & Book Biometric at VAC
- Attend Visa Interview
- Visa Approve or Decline
1. Apply for a school in Austria
- Before you apply for a student visa you will need to apply for admission into the Undergraduate or Graduate program. Applications to different courses and universities in Austria can be made through directly to college or university. Enrol for your desired course in the college of your choice and get the ACADEMIC Interview. This will be conducted online and keep all your academic document with you during the interview. You will be informed about the interview clearance and get the Letter of Acceptance.
- The students seeking to take admission in Austria University can apply without IELTS as well only if they have higher impressive scores in the last academic course or if the student is well-versed in German and clears the tests like TestDaf, DSH, etc.
2. Receive Offer Letter & Pay Initial Fees
- Now that you have been admitted and you receive a document called Letter of Acceptance from the institution’s international student office. You will be instructed to pay some fees to confirm your admission to the institution. Pay the fees from your bank account for safer transactions and then get Final Offer Letter from the college.
- You should have done your medical test for getting the Final Letter of Acceptance from institution. It’s not mandatory until informed but it is advised to get medical done.
3. Submit Visa Application & Book your Biometric at VAC
- The next step is to submit your Visa application. Visit the website of the Austria Migration Agency and create an account. If you already have an account, you can just log in. After login into your account, fill in the required information and submit the application. Submit the application and documents together with the required documents to the embassy/online. You will have to pay the fee when you hand in your application.
4. Attend Visa Interview
- Now is the time to wait for reply from High Commission and based on your application, biometric and details you will be asked to submit documents (if required). Attend the interview.The embassy will ask you to show up for an interview to ask questions related to your application process and education. Then, you must wait to receive an answer whether your application has been accepted or rejected.
5. VISA Approve or Decline
- The processing time for a Austria student visa can usually take up to 25 days. However, it also depends on the Embassy as well as the country you’re applying from. In some instances, it may also take up to 6-12 weeks, with the longest processing time being 3 months.
- After the interview, they can either approve or decline your visa depending on your performance and how well you comply with the visa application process. Once you’ve completed all of the steps above and have received approval for an international student visa to Austria, your embassy will return your passport to you with your new visa in it.
- Register with the municipal authorities: It’s compulsory to register with the Austrian authorities within three days of arriving in the country. You’ll need to complete a registration form and report your address.
Applying for Student Visa?
Understand the procedure and then only start the visa application process. You are expected to apply six months in advance of your trip. It takes about four to eight weeks to get your visa if you do not forget to submit any documents or have to re-submit them. Here are the steps for applying for your Austria student visa:
Eligibility Criteria for Austria Student Visa: To be eligible for a visa to study in Austria you must fulfil the following conditions:
- You must have a completed university application.
- You must provide proof of identity – A valid passport & 1 MRP photo.
- Proof of citizenship.
- A-level education certificate or high school diploma.
- University letter for admission acceptance.
- Attaching the bank receipt of the payment of tuition fee per semester.
- Travel insurance with a minimum of 30,000 EUR covers all medical emergencies.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the university. No Objection Certificate is a certificate that claims that the student has all intentions to return to their home country after completing their studies.
- Proof of financial capability that the student can manage all of his expenses during his study period in the country.
- Visa Fee will not be reimbursed in case of visa refusal.
Dos and Don’ts for Austria Student Visa Application: You need to remember the following dos and don’ts while applying for Austria student visa.
Dos
- Apply for a student visa at least 5 weeks in advance of your planned travel date to allow enough time for the application procedure to be completed on time for you to join your course.
- Remember that if you are applying online, you can only apply for your visa a maximum of 180 days before your course starts
- Fill up your visa application form carefully with all accurate details.
- Submit all the required supporting documents along with your visa application form.
Don’ts
- Do not present false documents for your visa.
- Do not provide any false information.
- Do not hide or misrepresent facts in your visa application.
Financial requirements, Finances & Cost of Living
How much does it cost to study in Austria? Austria remains the most preferred among most international students when it comes to popular study-abroad destination options. However, proof of clear available funds is required to pursue studies in Austria to cover tuition and living expenses.
- How much are the tuition fees in Austria?
- How to prove funds for Austria?
- How much does student accommodation costs in Austria?
- How much does it cost to live in Austria?
- What financial support is available to international students in Austria?
- How much are the TUITION FEES in Austria?
- Austria is one of the most popular destinations for university study but, like the UK, Australia, Canada and the US, it is not much expensive.
- The average tuition fees are around 3300 Euros per semester for international students. Universities of Applied Sciences usually charge close to 3300 – 7,500 Euros per semester for international students. Private universities may charge anywhere between 8,000 and 23,000 Euros per year.
- How to prove FUNDS for Austria?
- In order to pursue your studies in Austria, proof of sufficient funds is required to cover tuition and living expenses. You can prove to fund with the following:
- International students interested to study in Austria must have financial ability to live during their study in Austria.
- If you are a student of outside the European Union you should look at this sponsor money matters. You need to prove that you have sufficient funds available to study and live in Austria using your personal bank statement.
- Amount: When you apply for the study permit and visa to Austria you must provide financial information by providing your personal bank statement. All applicants must prove they can afford their living expenses during their studies. The amount is 9,500 Euros per year.
- Proof you paid for tuition and housing. Travellers’ cheque, your international bank account also can be an added document.
- A savings book or deposits in a bank (the account has to be accessible from Austria). Proof of purchase of traveller’s cheques. A letter of guarantee from a person living in Austria or an institution domiciled in Austria. A personal bank statement indicating your financial movements (for at least 6 last months). Credit card. Cash. Supporting document to attest sponsor’s readiness to cover your expenses during your stay (sponsor must have a legal residence permit). Proof of prepaid accommodation.
- How much does the student ACCOMMODATION costs in Austria?
- The accommodation cost ranges from 250–600 Euros. The most popular accommodation options for international students in Austria include:
- The OeAD Student Housing: It offers accommodation options to around 12.000 students in Austria. It is a great budget friendly option and an official partner of universities and institutions in Austria. In fact, they provide fully furnished accommodation with the possibility to rent a place even during the summer.
- Living in a shared flat or Wohngemeinschaften (WG): The most popular option after OeAD is to share an apartment, the so-called WG in Austria. Living costs in Austria become even more affordable with this option as you would be expected to pay from 350 to 500 Euros per month. You share the bills, rents and common areas with your roommates while you can have your own room. You can start searching for shared accommodation here.
- Living in a hall of residence or dormitory: This option is also available for international students. It included multiple types of apartments with shared facilities and communal areas among students. You can find more information regarding this type of accommodation at the Austrian Student Union. This costs you somewhere from 100 – 250 Euros.
- How much does it cost to LIVE in Austria?
- The expenses that arise in the course of leading a normal life, i.e., for accommodation, food, clothing and recreational activities, are called living costs.
- In Austria, international students have average monthly expenses of around 1150 Euros. The expenses of international students vary based on the location of the university selected by the student, for instance, accommodation and other living costs are higher in Vienna and other big cities as compared to the other cities.
- Many supermarkets in Austria offer great discounts that allow the students to get food at reasonable prices. Students can get a good meal at self-service cafeterias of the universities known as Mensa.
- The cost of living in Austria can be grouped into the following heads:
- Accommodation – Approximately 200–500 Euros per month.
- Meals – Restaurants will charge around 12–25 Euros for meals and beverages.
- Groceries – Students can expect costs of about 200–250 Euros each month.
- Transportation – It will take 2 Euros for one bus/metro ticket, while monthly passes require approximately 40–60 Euros.
5. What financial support is available to INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS in Austria?
- Financial aid comes in many formats: Scholarships, Grants, Assistantships, and Work–Study Schemes. In Austria, there are 2 main ways that students can fund their studies–scholarships and financial aid. There are a few scholarships that students can apply for which can help towards living expenses and tuition fees. However, these are often reserved for Erasmus exchange students and some selective business, engineering and medical students who come from former French-speaking countries or colonies.
- Scholarships: A scholarship is a type of non-repayable financial support that EU and international students can apply for if they meet specific requirements – these requirements will differ depending on the scholarship you’re applying to.Some of the top scholarships for students include the following:
- Helmut Veith Stipend for Females in Computer Science
- Marcus Oldham College Scholarship
- Webster Vienna Private University Scholarships
- Vienna International Postdoctoral Program
- Klaus Liebscher Economic Research Scholarship
- Abertay University Scholarships
- Ernst Mach Grant
Work Opportunities and Work environment
Currently, Austria has announced that there will be a temporary lift in the current work hour restrictions placed on international students in Austria.
- Work and study in Austria: All the international students have to apply for a work permit to work in Austria. In most cases, the work permit is applied by the prospective employer on the behalf of the student. Only the students perusing Masters from Austria are eligible to work but for 20 hours per week. The students can complete their internships and placements as a part of their master’s degree without a work permit.
- Working whilst studying in Austria: It’s possible to work whilst you study in Austria, but employment terms and the number of hours you’re allowed to work will depend on your nationality. If you’re from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you can work as much as you like and will not need a designated work permit. However, if your home country is outside of the EU or EEA, your employer must apply for a work permit on your behalf. Your hours will be capped at 20 per week to ensure you’re paying sufficient attention to your academic studies. If you complete unpaid internships and placements as part of your program, you won’t need a work permit and the hours won’t contribute to your weekly limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Receiving a visa rejection letter is disappointing, but it doesn’t mean you have to instantly abandon your study abroad plans. If you made some mistakes in your first application, like failing to attach the required documents, you can make these corrections and apply again. However, if you believe your initial application was error-free, you can appeal to the Austrian embassy within four weeks.
- Here’s a breakdown of everything your appeal letter should contain: (1) Personal information: Name, address, nationality, contact details. (2) The date of your first application and your refusal letter. (3) The reason behind your visa refusal. (4) Why you believe the rejection was the incorrect decision (you’ll need to provide strong evidence for this). (5) Your signature.
- Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that your appeal will be successful, but it’s still worth a shot. It’s worth remembering that it can take a further 12 months for you to receive a second decision.
- The students belonging to the third world countries having their residence permit are allowed to stay in Austria for the next 12 months after completing their degree. The purpose of the stay should be the search for employment or setting up a business. The students have to apply for confirmation by the competent residence authority (MA35) before the expiration of the student visa.
- If the student has got a job in the next twelve months, they can apply for the RWR (Red-white-Red) card. The qualification of the student should match the occupation of the job. The RWR card allows the student to settle down temporarily in Austria for 24 months. The students get the advantage that they do not need to go through a labour request test and a points system after applying for the RWR card.
- Austria offers a large variety of job opportunities in the following professions- accountant, architect, marketing manager, product manager, software engineer, UX designer, nurse, web developer, teacher, etc.
- Austria is one of the major destinations of Europe. Therefore, Austria provides a large number of job opportunities in the field of tourism industry such as resorts, hotels, restaurants, etc.
- Austria attracts a large number of international students because of its great and affordable lifestyle. Austria is considered as one of the top ten peaceful countries of the world ranked by the Global Peace Index. World Happiness Report has ranked Austria as one of the happiest countries in the world. Austria is one of the least corrupted countries, Austria offers an economical fee per semester that costs around 70,000 INR and offers numerous post-study work opportunities in Austria.
- If your family members are hoping to join you in Austria, they’ll need to apply for their own residence permits and visas. If you’re planning to move overseas with your spouse, you must both be at least 21 years old at the time of application. You’ll need to prove that you have sufficient financial means to support your dependents before being awarded a visa.
- International students can earn 300-400 Euros monthly while working in part-time positions.
- Austria ranks highly among European countries for quality of life and education. In addition to having some of the best universities in the world, it offers many opportunities for studying abroad. With over 10 million tourists annually, Austria attracts people from around the globe looking for adventure.
- The Austrian government provides free university education for almost everyone. It’s incredibly cheap to study in Austria and, in some cases, even free. All citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area are entitled to free tuition at Austrian public universities. Private universities are more expensive than public ones.
- It’s no surprise that most of the courses at Austrian universities are taught in German because it’s the country’s official language. There are more English language programs available at postgraduate than undergraduate levels, particularly on courses that offer the most international reach, including media, marketing, and Business-related subjects, among others. However, taking German classes is best if you want to fully immerse yourself in student life. There are over 300 courses taught entirely in English and another 85+ partially in English.
- The best and most popular courses to study in Austria for international students include but are not limited to law, history, pedagogy, medicine, psychiatry, and communication science.
- Law: A career in law requires rigorous education and training. It takes years of schooling and certifications to earn the title of a lawyer. It’s a challenging course, but it pays off in the long run because law graduates in Austria may expect a monthly income of $3,500 after completing a degree.
- Psychology: Psychology and medicine are the most sought-after majors in Austria among international students. Many native German speakers are enrolled in this course. Despite its complexity, majoring in psychology is one of the most common choices when studying in Austria for international students.
- Tourism and Leisure Management: Students in the Tourism and Leisure Management program focus on tourism and business. Austria has long been a popular tourist destination; the country welcomes 38 million visitors annually. Because of this, the government provides young people with cutting-edge training in the tourism management sector. Tourism is one of Austria’s fastest-growing sectors, substantially impacting the country’s economy.
- Economics: If you want to study in Austria as an international student in an English taught course, then economics is one of the most popular majors. You will learn the relationship between business and economics. The courses you will cover are usually accounting, cost accounting (bookkeeping), marketing, and finance.
- Business Administration: It is more hands-on than economics. University of Applied Sciences programs are great if you wish to gain more practical knowledge, and numerous business administration programs are available. However, it would help if you have basic math abilities, logical thinking, and communication skills.
- Medicine: You need at least a C1 level of German and some knowledge of Latin for medical studies in Austria. The only downside to this course is that most are not taught in English.
- A full academic year costs about $1,788 for international students. Depending on your chosen course and university (if it is a private university), you can pay anywhere from 8000 to 25,000 Euros in tuition fees. Remember to include living costs in your budgets, such as food, rent, and transportation.
- The Austrian Ministry of Education, Science and Research offer international students and researchers grants and scholarships. There are several ways to obtain funding. For example, the Austrian National Agency for Higher Education provides grants and scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. You can find out more about the individual scholarships here. Scholarships are also awarded by the Austrian Institute of Technology (WZIT), the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Austrian Society of Engineers (VDE), the Austrian Universities Association (ÖHUV), the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), the Austrian Federal Ministries, the European Union and the EU Framework Programmes.
- While studying in Austria, international students can find various ways to make extra money to help fund their education and living arrangements. Austria allows international students to work up to 20 hours a week while studying part-time. If you are enrolled in an Austrian university program, you can work and earn money without obtaining a work permit as long as you are a student studying in Austria.