Study in austria : Not free but still a good dealAustria is an excellent place for international students to continue their educations. Long known for its wine, music and pastry, Austria deserves much credit for its education system and quality of life, currently ranked among the best in the world. Higher education is of very high quality, and Austrian universities offer recognized degrees in a wide range of fields, academic and professional, from hotel management to music and design.

Brief facts about Austria

  • Area: 83.845 square km
  • Population: 8.773 million (2017)
  • Capital: Vienna
  • Biggest cities: Vienna, Graz , Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck
  • Neighbouring countries: Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland

Some good reasons to study in Austria

1.The Austrian educational system offers a broad spectrum of educational opportunities.

2.In Austria there are 70 accredited higher education institutions offering 2000 degree programmes. At www.studienwahl.at/en you can find an overview of all degree courses at all Austrian institutions of Higher Education.

3. Apart from classical universities, which offer a wide variety of disciplines, there are a number of specialist universities as well as a university center for postgraduate education. You can also find a lot of universities of applied sciences in Austria. These universities have a practical oriented focus reflected in their curricula, which include mandatory carrier oriented practical training or job-based internships.

4. Austria is a good place to study in a secure and cultural environment

Academic year

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

1.Winter semester (October 1st to January 30th),

2.Summer semester (March 1st to September 30th)

Tuition fees and living costs in Austria

Austrian citizens and students who have EU/EEA nationality pay no regular tuition fees

For International students from non-EU member , tuition fees in Public universities are around 726.72 euros per semester but may vary by university.

Remember !!

Most universities offer the following:

Bachelor’s programmes : 6-8 semesters

Master’s programmes : 2-4 semesters

Doctoral/PhD programmes : at least 6 semesters.

Please note:

  • The student accident insurance fee is 19.20 euros per semester and is compulsory for all students.
  • For private universities,Tuition fees differ from one institution to the next.

Students from certain countries according to the list below are exempt from paying tuition fees at public universities in Austria

  • Afghanistan
  • Angola
  • Bangladesh
  • Benin
  • Bhutan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cambodia
  • Cape Verde
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Comoros
  • Congo
  • Djibouti
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia
  • Gambia
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Haiti
  • Kiribati
  • Laos
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Maldives
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • Niger
  • Rwanda
  • Samoa
  • Sao Tomé and Principe
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Tanzania
  • Timor-Leste
  • Togo
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Vanuatu
  • Yemen
  • Zambia

 

Living costs

  • Living costs will likely run around 950 Euros per month
  • Living costs depend on the city in which you want to study

Applications, costs and language

To study in Austria, you have to choose the same or a similar subject to what you have studied in your country. For example, if you have a bachelor’s degree in English, you may do a M.A. in English in Austria.

Different universities have different admission requirements. Contact universities directly for further information.

Required documents

  • Proof of nationality (photocopy of your passport)
  • General university entrance qualification:

a. For bachelor and diploma degree studies: An equivalent secondary school leaving certificate

b. For master’s studies: a bachelor’s or equivalent degree

c. For doctoral studies: diploma of master’s or equivalent degree

  • Your certificate of special qualification for university studies: you have to prove that you would be entitled to admission to your chosen degree programme in the country which issued your secondary education diploma.
  • German language proficiency
  • A university application form (can be downloaded from universities’ homepages)
  • Records of study and transcripts
  • All the documents presented must be originals or notarized copies. English or German translation of documents also should be notarized

What is the Best time to start the application process?

The general admission period for foreign students in Austria for the winter term is September 1 and February 1 for the summer term.

Language requirements

The main language of instruction at Austrian universities is German; so if you want to study in Austria you have to prove sufficient knowledge of German. Most courses at Austrian universities are taught in German, but there are some universities of applied sciences, university training courses and private universities which provide courses in English.

To enroll in courses taught in German at an Austrian university, you have to pass a German language proficiency examination. Prospective students can study and take that exam
through Goethe Institute.

Student visa

Non European students have to apply for visa. After receipt of the notification of admission,you should contact the Austrian representative authority in your country. The application for student visa will be sent to Austria and the decision has to be awaited in one’s country of residence (therefore the application should be submitted at least 3 – 6 months before the intended arrival in Austria)

Required documents for student visa

The following documents have to be submitted:

1.A fully completed and signed application form (available from the Austrian representative authority in your country ; It can also be downloaded from the Internet)

2. valid passport (must be valid for the whole duration of your stay in Austria)

3. passport-sized colour photograph (3.5 x 4.5 cm)

4. birth certificate

5. certificate of good conduct

6. health insurance for the period of entry to beginning of studies

7. notification of admission of the Austrian educational institution

8. proof of sufficient financial means to cover one’s living costs for 12 months in advance (for students up to 24 years of age: € 491.43/month;
for students over 24 years of age: € 889.84/month (these amounts contain the rent for accommodation of up to € 284.32 in 2017).

9. proof of accommodation

Reasons why you should take German language Classes 

Important links

  • Detailed information concerning the opportunities in the field of higher education in Austria : www.bmwfw.gv.at (website of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy),
  • Comprehensive information about studying in Austria ; www.studyinaustria.at
  • List of all degree programmes in Austria (including search for programmes taught in English: www.studienwahl.at/en

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