Savanna Hoffman
Austria is a popular destination for international students, with over 60,000 choosing to study there every year. The country offers a high standard of education, a relaxed atmosphere, and a multicultural environment. While Austria does charge tuition fees for international students, there are also several scholarship opportunities available, as well as low-tuition schemes and tuition waivers. The cost of living for students in Austria is approximately 800-1300 Euros per month, including accommodation, food, transportation, and other living costs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Public universities fees for EU/EEA citizens | Free |
| Public universities fees for non-EU/EEA citizens | 726.72 EUR per semester |
| Student union membership fee | 20 EUR per semester |
| Student accident insurance fee | 20 EUR per semester |
| Health insurance for non-EU/EEA citizens | 60 EUR per month (if qualified for student insurance) or 427 EUR per month (if not qualified) |
| Private academic institutions fees | 3,000 – 23,000 EUR/year |
| Accommodation rates | 200 – 500 EUR/month |
| Living costs in Vienna and Salzburg | 900 - 1,300 EUR per month |
| Living costs in other student cities | 900 - 1,000 EUR per month |
| Average living costs | 800 EUR per month |
| Scholarships | OeAD, University of Vienna, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Tuition fees for EU/EEA citizens
Austria is home to over 50 higher educational institutions, including 22 public universities. The country offers a high standard of academic environment, a relaxed atmosphere, and a high multicultural environment, making it an attractive destination for international students.
When it comes to tuition fees, public universities in Austria are free for all EU and EEA citizens. EU/EEA students pursuing a full-time degree or enrolled in an exchange program at a public university do not have to pay any tuition fees. They are, however, required to pay a nominal fee of 20 EUR per semester, which covers student union membership and student accident insurance.
For EU/EEA citizens, the absence of tuition fees at public universities in Austria is a significant advantage. This policy ensures that citizens of these regions can access higher education without financial barriers. It is worth noting that while public universities are tuition-free, there may be additional costs associated with specific programs or services.
In addition to the affordable tuition fees at public universities, EU/EEA citizens can also benefit from the relatively low cost of living in Austria. While the cost of living varies across the country, with cities like Vienna and Salzburg being more expensive, students can generally expect to spend between 800 and 1,300 EUR per month on accommodation, food, social activities, and transportation. Additionally, international students can explore scholarship opportunities, such as those offered by the OeAD (Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research), to further reduce their financial burden.
Overall, Austria's higher education system offers a unique blend of academic excellence, cultural enrichment, and affordability for EU/EEA citizens, making it an attractive option for those seeking a well-rounded international education experience.
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Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens
Austria is home to over 50 higher education institutions, including 22 public universities. The country is a popular choice for international students, with over 60,000 choosing to study there every year.
Public universities in Austria are free for all EU and EEA citizens. However, non-EU/EEA citizens must pay tuition fees. These fees vary depending on the institution and programme of study. At public universities, non-EU/EEA students pay on average 726.72 EUR per semester for tuition, plus a 20 EUR per semester fee for student union membership and insurance. This means that non-EU/EEA students can expect to pay around 1,500 EUR per academic year.
Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in Austria are independent institutions and set their own rules and regulations regarding tuition fees. Tuition rates at these institutions can vary significantly, from 365 EUR to 7,500 EUR per year, depending on the programme and the student's nationality. Some specialised programmes at UAS institutions may demand tuition fees of 35,000 EUR per year or more.
Private academic institutions in Austria are generally more expensive than public universities, with tuition costs ranging from 3,000 EUR to 23,000 EUR per year.
It is important to note that non-EU/EEA citizens studying in Austria must also pay for health insurance. If they qualify for student insurance, they can expect to pay around 60 EUR per month. If they do not qualify, they can apply for insurance from a public Austrian insurance provider, but this will cost 427 EUR per month.
To help offset the cost of tuition and living expenses, international students can explore scholarship opportunities. The Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research (OeAD) offers various scholarship programmes for international students, including those from specific countries or regions. Additionally, many Austrian universities offer scholarships and financial aid programmes for international students based on academic merit, financial need, or other criteria.
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Scholarships and grants
Austria is home to over 50 higher educational institutions, including 22 public universities. While public universities in Austria are free for all EU and EEA citizens, international students from outside the EU/EEA pay around 1,500 EUR per academic year. However, there are several scholarships and grants available to help international students fund their studies in Austria.
The OeAD is the most important provider of scholarships for international students in Austria. However, they do not offer scholarships for entire degree programmes (bachelor's, master's, or PhD). Instead, they provide funding opportunities for specific periods or purposes, such as research stays. You can search for these opportunities on their website, www.grants.at, where you can filter by your home country and study field. The website also provides information on the application process, deadlines, and required documents.
In addition to OeAD, there are other institutions offering scholarships and grants for international students in Austria. These include:
- IIE-SRF Fellowship: A fully funded scholarship for international doctoral research students, covering a grant of up to US$25,000 and individual health insurance for up to one year.
- Vienna International Postdoctoral Program: A fully funded scholarship offering a yearly gross salary of 70,040 EUR, full health insurance, and additional support for children.
- Klaus Liebscher Economic Research Scholarship: Open to international students interested in postdoctoral research at Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Oenb), with a consultancy fee of up to EUR 10,000 for the entire period.
- Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowship: A funded scholarship for PhD and Post-doc students, with a maximum value of USD 50,000 per year for PhD and USD 40,000 per year for Post-doc.
- IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program: A fully funded PhD scholarship covering tuition fees, accommodation, travel expenses, and living expenses, with a maximum value of USD 10,000 per year.
- Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program: A fully funded scholarship for PhD studies, providing up to $42,750 net per fellow for an 8-month fellowship.
Additionally, some universities in Austria offer their own scholarships for international students, such as Abertay University, which provides master's and PhD scholarships. These scholarships can be fully or partially funded and may include a monthly stipend of $2000, covering tuition fees, accommodation, health insurance, and travel allowances.
It is recommended to also explore funding opportunities in your home country, as some local institutions offer scholarships or grants specifically for students studying or conducting research in Austria.
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Living costs
Austria offers a high quality of life, and living costs are considered affordable for students. However, prices vary depending on the region and individual lifestyle. Major cities like Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck tend to be more expensive than smaller cities.
On average, students should budget between 800 and 1,300 EUR per month to cover all expenses, including accommodation, food, social activities, transportation, and other personal expenses.
Accommodation rates vary between 200 and 500 EUR per month. Living in the city centre or very close to it tends to be pricier. On average, students living alone pay about 400 EUR per month, while those in student accommodation pay around 260 EUR per month.
Food costs can be kept relatively low, with inexpensive restaurants and traditional Gasthauses offering meals for 7-10 EUR on average.
Health insurance is another cost to consider. Non-EU/EEA citizens must pay for health insurance, and if they qualify for student insurance, it costs around 60 EUR per month. Otherwise, insurance from a public Austrian provider is 427 EUR per month.
It is worth noting that scholarships and financial aid are available to international students from specific countries or based on academic merit or financial need. These opportunities can help cover living expenses, in addition to tuition fees and travel costs.
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Student visas
International students need an Austrian student visa and residence permit to study in Austria. The type of visa and permit you need will depend on the length of your stay.
If you are an EU/EEA citizen or a Swiss national, you do not need a student visa to study in Austria. However, if you intend to stay for longer than three months, you must request confirmation of registration within four months. Non-EU/EEA students must apply for a visa to study in Austria.
There are two types of Austrian student visas:
- Visa C (Schengen visa for short-term study purposes): This visa allows students to stay in Austria for up to 90 days for short-term study programs, such as language courses or summer schools.
- Visa D (National visa for study purposes): This visa allows you to study in Austria for up to six months or more. If your course is longer than six months, you will need an approved Austrian student residence permit before you can apply for this visa.
To apply for a student visa, you will need to submit your application to the competent Austrian representative authority (embassy, consulate-general) before travelling to Austria. Your application should be submitted at least three to six months before your intended arrival in Austria. You will need to provide the following documents:
- A passport valid for a minimum of three months after your arrival, with at least two blank pages, issued in the last 10 years.
- Two recent passport-sized photos with dimensions of 3.5 x 4.5 cm.
- A confirmation letter from an Austrian higher education institution.
- A rental agreement or booking confirmation of your stay.
- Travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 in the Schengen countries.
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover your monthly cost of living in Austria for two years, deposited in a bank account.
- All your documents translated into German and legalised.
In addition to the visa, you will also need to budget for living costs in Austria, which can range from €800 to €1,300 per month, depending on the city. Accommodation costs can vary between €200 and €500 per month, and students will also need to budget for health insurance, which can cost around €60 per month if you qualify for student insurance.
It is important to note that visas cannot be renewed in Austria, and you must apply for any renewals before the expiry of your original permit.
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Frequently asked questions
Education in Austria is free for students from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland. International students from developing countries are also exempt from tuition fees at many public universities. However, non-EU/EEA students will have to pay approximately 726.72 EUR per semester for tuition fees, in addition to the 20 EUR/semester student union membership and student accident insurance fees.
The University of Klagenfurt is the largest academic institution in Carinthia and is known for its diverse student body, with around 20% of its students being international. The University of Klagenfurt offers a selection of English-taught undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The University for Continuing Education Krems is another affordable option, with tuition fees starting from US$422 per year for international students.
International students can benefit from various study grants and scholarships in Austria. Scholarships are offered by various institutions on the Grants.at website, as well as by the OeAD (The Austrian Agency for International Mobility and Cooperation in Education). Some Austrian universities might also provide grants or scholarships, so it is worth checking with the specific university during the application process.
The cost of living in Austria is quite affordable, especially when compared to neighbouring countries like Hungary. In cities like Vienna and Salzburg, students should budget around 900-1,300 EUR per month for expenses such as accommodation, food, social activities, and transportation. In other student cities like Linz or Graz, living costs range from 900-1,000 EUR per month.
International students applying to universities in Austria should have an internationally recognised Bachelor's degree or equivalent for Master's programmes. There are also language requirements, with universities requiring a minimum language score in English or German language proficiency tests. Students may also need to provide their Grade Point Average (GPA) and meet the admission requirements specific to each university and programme.
