Study in Austria: The Complete 2027 Guide
Austria tends to get overlooked in favour of its larger neighbour Germany — which is a missed opportunity, because Vienna itself is repeatedly ranked among the most liveable cities in the world, tuition is fixed by federal law rather than set independently by each institution, and the country’s academic and cultural legacy — Freud, Mozart, Schrödinger — still shapes how seriously its universities are taken globally.
Tuition — Fixed and Predictable
Non-EU students at Austrian public universities pay a fixed tuition rate of approximately €726 per semester — roughly €1,452 a year — regardless of subject or institution.
This applies at leading institutions including the University of Vienna and TU Wien, both consistently ranked among Europe’s strongest research universities.
The Language Question
This is the detail most guides skip.
A meaningful share of Bachelor’s programmes in Austria are taught in German, which means many undergraduate applicants need German proficiency — commonly B2 — before or shortly after enrolment.
Master’s level is more flexible, with a growing number of English-taught programmes, particularly in engineering, business and the sciences at TU Wien and the Vienna University of Economics and Business.
Always check the specific teaching language of your target programme before applying — this single detail changes the entire preparation timeline.
Requirements
- Academic transcripts with equivalence assessment where required
- Language proficiency: German, commonly B2, for German-taught programmes
- IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught programmes
- A Certificate of Admission from your chosen university
- Proof of financial means for the student residence permit application
- Health insurance valid in Austria for the duration of your stay
Cities and Living Costs
Vienna dominates as the primary destination, but Graz, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck all host respected universities at a noticeably lower cost of living than the capital.
Austria’s location places it within easy reach of Germany, Italy, Hungary and the rest of Central Europe — a genuine advantage for students who want to travel during their studies.
Intakes
Austria runs two intakes:
October — Winter Semester
The larger and more commonly used intake by international students.
March — Summer Semester
More limited programme availability.
Not sure whether your target programme is taught in German or English? We’ll check before you commit to a language course you don’t need.