General Information

The language of instruction is usually German.
Many institutions, however, also offer courses in other languages

Structure of study programmes

Most universities and universities of applied sciences offer the following:

• Bachelor’s programmes: 6-8 semesters
• Master’s programmes: 2-4 semesters
• Doctoral/PhD programmes: at least 6 semesters.

Moreover, the following is also an option:

• Diploma programmes: 8-10 semesters
• Doctoral programmes: 4 semesters.

Academic calendar

The academic year in Austria, as a rule, begins on October 1st and ends on September 30thof the following year.
It consists of two semesters:

• Winter semester (October 1st to January 30th),
• Summer semester (March 1st to September 30th)

There are also periods during in which no lectures are held (Christmas, semester and summer breaks). Exceptions to this schedule are possible; please enquire at the educational institution of your choice.

Recognition of University Degrees

Please have the notification (recognition) of your Austrian degree checked in your home country. 

Study in Austria

Situated in the heart of Europe, Austria offers great variety concentrated in a small area.  Here you can find peace and a unique quality of life, big city flair and a rich culture. 

Austria combines a long tradition of higher education with state-of-the-art research – its higher education institutions have accomplished outstanding achievements on an international level and gained a high reputation.  

Austrian higher education institutions offer an ever-growing number of degree programmes: you can choose between first-class research-based courses, a world-famous education at any of the universities of the arts, high-quality practice-oriented degree courses at the universities of applied sciences, and sound, up-to-date teacher education and innovative courses at private universities. 

All in all, Austria offers you a broad spectrum of educational opportunities – not to mention great social security, economic stability and the great hospitality of the Austrians. 

This is why Austria is an ideal place for studying and living!

Structure of Education in Austria

The universities in Austria universities differ greatly from one another both in terms of size and structure. Students who wish to continue their education in Austria with study programs at classical universities in Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz and Salzburg cover a broad spectrum of different academic subjects. Specialized universities for education in Austria, for example the University of Leoben, concentrate on special theoretical and applied disciplines.

Teaching and research are seen as an inseparable unit at universities in Austria. Courses are available in all academic fields (Humanities, Natural Sciences, Law, Social and Economic Sciences, Medicine, Technology, Mining Sciences, Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences and Veterinary Medicine) but more emphasis on interdisciplinary work. Interdisciplinary research work promotes a university education that aims at developing far-sighted concepts and solutions. The permanent dialogue with trade and industry has led to the establishment of a great number of competence centres in which an innovative cooperation between university departments and enterprises takes place.

The Structure of Programs of Study at Universities in Austria

In the last few years, the education system in Austria has introduced the European three-tier system of degrees according to the Bologna process. Besides, the old two-tier system still exists in some subject areas and universities (for example Medicine).

BACHELOR PROGRAMS 

Bachelor programs are usually set up by universities of Applied sciences and University colleges of Teacher education. Studies usually last for a period of 3 years (180 ECTS credits or 6 to 8 semesters; in some cases, it is 240 credits depending on university or employability requirements. Masters studies on the other hand require the successful completion of the bachelor study program which lasts about 2-4 semesters

DOCTORAL STUDIES (PHD)

PhDs are based on the completion of diploma or master's degree. Programs last for at least 6 semesters (2 years) and are based on the ability of autonomous research.

TRADITIONAL DIPLOMA PROGRAMS

Traditional diploma programs ( Magistra or Magister) in most disciplines or Diplomingenieur (in) for engineers last for 4-6 years.

UNIVERSITY TRAINING COURSES 

Are further education courses at university? Education levels last from undergraduate to postgraduate and often last 2-4 semesters. The contents, goals, structure and duration of these courses are determined by the universities, who are responsible for the individual curriculum and provide information about these opportunities. Upon the completion of postgraduate university courses academic titles such as Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) or Master of Business Administration (MBA), among others, may be conferred.

Private Universities in Austria

International students are also offered the option of pursuing their education in Austria at private universities.

The curriculum of the Austrian private universities, as well as the academic degrees awarded by them, differs from university to university.

These universities offer innovative and high quality education while providing students with individualized attention. Curriculum includes continuous internal and external evaluation of teaching and research as well as well as active promotion of the arts focusing on quality universal development. Austrian private universities have refined current degree programs based to future and modern educational needs.

University Colleges for Teacher Education in Austria

There are around fifteen university colleges of teacher education in Austria situated in Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria, Carinthia, Burgenland, Salzburg, Tyrol and Vorarlberg. The university colleges of teacher education provide training for primary school, secondary school and special needs' teachers that last for 3 years (6 semesters) with the opportunity to gain practical experience from the very beginning and to put their abilities to work with children to the test. 

The Teacher Education Act 2005 forms the basis for the conversion of the university colleges of teacher education in Austria into academic institutions for teaching professions. An independent profession-related bachelor program has been available to students since 2007.

Universities of the Arts in Austria

Whether it is music, dramatic arts, fine arts or applied arts you are interested in, the universities of the arts for your education in Austria provide an ideal space for the discussion of art and science for their students. A total of 10,197 (4,174 from abroad) degree program students were enrolled at the six universities of the arts in the winter semester 2008/09. ( Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research, unidata).

Austria, which since the past has always been a meeting point of different artistic traditions and styles, offers numerous opportunities for public performances: the sound festival Ars Electronica in Linz, the Salzburg Festival, which has a strong international culture scene with rich traditions, the jazz big band in Graz, the Viennale film festival, the Baroque palace theatre in Schönbrunn or the Picture Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts, to name but a few.

Development and opening up of the arts is the universities of the arts in Austria's counterpart of the academic universities responsibility for research. The interaction between art and science, theory and practice presents a challenge to creativity, innovation and technical brilliance which is taken up by the universities of the arts.

Cost of Study

Tuition fees for University of Arts in Austria

• Austrian citizens and students who have EU/EEA nationality pay no regular tuition fees for the prescribed duration of study plus 2 semesters. These students must however pay membership fees to the student union which is obligatory and € 363.36 each semester after the two semester’s tolerance period.
• For all other students (after possession of the resident permit), must pay € 726.72 per semester.
• An exemption from paying tuition fees is possible in special cases (e.g. for participants in exchange programs, university partnerships, exchange programs or students from less developed countries). 
•  Students from other developing countries, Central and Eastern European reform countries can be exempted or apply for a full or partial refund of tuition fees according to the chosen university's own rules. 

Tuition fees for Universities of Applied Sciences in Austria

• Universities of Applied Sciences are entitled to charge tuition fees of € 363 per year.
• In the case of University Training Courses, University Level Courses, Universitätslehrgänge, Private Universities & University Colleges of Teacher Education the tuition fees differ from one institution to the other and should be inquired at the prospective institution.
• In some cases, students have to pay an obligatory fee to the student union.

Some programs incur an additional application fee which is a onetime payment for the application to be processed further. If the payment is not completed on time, the application of the student is cancelled.