Study in Austria for Indian Students

Located in Central Europe, the landlocked country Austria consists of nine federal states with Vienna as the capital. It is bordered by various nations like Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Slovakia. Apart from its colossal history, well-connected cities, state of the art infrastructure, and pleasant weather, the country is also revered for the quality education it offers across disciplines. Many Austrian universities have also been ranked in the list of top educational institutions of the world by both QS and Times Higher Education (THE) due to the emphasis the country has placed on Modern education. Thus, if you want to attain overseas education and kickstart a career in Psychology, Music, STEM courses, etc, then you can consider pursuing higher education in Austria! This blog aims to highlight the salient features, admission process and other requisites for those who want to study in Austria.

An introduction to Austria

Austria is not just at the geographic heart of Europe; it has also played a significant role in European history, helping to shape the Europe we know today.

The Arlberg region, the cradle of modern Alpine skiing, and Innsbruck, in the Alps’ foothills, are both well-known for their stunning winter sports scenes. However, Austria is primarily hilly, providing spectacular landscapes and year-round walking opportunities.

Many baroque castles, palaces, and gardens, as well as museums detailing Austria’s role in both musical history and psychology, can be found in the major towns of Vienna and Graz. Haydn, Mahler, Liszt, and, of course, Mozart are famous Austrian musicians and composers, while Sigmund Freud, the pioneer of psychoanalysis, was also born here.

Why Study in Austria

All EU and EEA nationals have free access to public universities in Austria; foreign students pay roughly 1,500 EUR each academic year. Tuition fees at universities of applied sciences (UAS) range from 365 to 7,500 EUR based on the degree programme and nationality.

Austria is one of the safest countries in the world, enjoying a low crime rate and a high standard of living and social security. While living in Austria, you won’t have to worry about political and military tensions, armed conflicts, or violent protests.

If you pick Austria, you will have the option to study and live in Vienna, which has been voted the best city in the world for the past ten years! Everything is fantastic, from transportation to lodging, student services to administrative assistance, salary to employment prospects.

Do we need to say more about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Egon Schiele, and Gustav Klimt? Austria also boasts a vast list of museums and galleries that each visitor should see.

What is it like to study in Austria?

In an Austrian university, the overall mood is calm, and teachers are always happy to assist students, answer their questions, and ensure that they grasp everything they are studying.During seminars and team projects, students work in small groups, which gives them a significant edge in terms of understanding new material. Students can also participate in active debates and express their own points of view.Overseas offices at colleges frequently organise visits to adjacent towns and environs to assist international students in acclimating to a new country and culture.

How Much Does it Cost to Study in Austria?

The average cost of studying in Austria is somewhere around €1400 for tuition fees every year while the living costs are quite economical ranging around €1200 per year. Here is an overview of the cost of studying in Austria:

Tuition Fee	€700-€750 (INR 62,917 – INR 67,410) per semester
Accommodation Charges	Hall of residence(dormitories): €250-€450 per month(INR 22,473 – INR 40,449) Shared flats: Varies
Personal Expenses	Approximately €300 per month (INR 26,966)
Food	€250-€300 (INR 22,473 – INR 26,966) [excludes luxury food items, tobacco products, etc]

Cost of Living in Austria for International Students

On an average, the monthly cost of living in Austria for international students is 950 Euros (84,553 INR approx. ) and can vary as per the city you have chosen to live in.

Universities in Austria

Here are the top universities in Austria:

Universities	QS 2021 Rankings	THE 2021 Rankings
University of Vienna	150	164
Vienna University of Technology	192	351-400
University of Innsbruck	265	351-400
Johannes Kepler University Linz	362	601-800
University of Graz	581-590	601-800
University of Klagenfurt	511-520	301-350

Medical Schools in Austria

Here is a list of top medical schools in Austria

1. Medical University of Vienna
2. Medical University of Graz
3. Medical University of Innsbruck
4. University of Vienna
5. Paracelsus Private Medical University
6. University of Graz
7. University of Innsbruck

PhD in Austria

Here is a list of top universities in Austria fo PhD:

1. FH Kufstein Tirol – University of Applied Sciences
2. Danube University Krems
3. University of Innsbruck
4. TU Wien
5. Medical University of Graz
6. Graz University of Technology
7. Johannes Kepler University of Linz
8. Medical University of Vienna
9. University of Graz
10. University of Klagenfurt
11. Medical University of Innsbruck
12. University of Vienna
13. WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business)

Austria Engineering Universities

Here are the top universities for engineering in Austria:

1. University of Innsbruck
2. University of Leoben
3. Johannes Kepler University of Linz
4. University of Vienna
5. Graz University of Technology
6. WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business)
7. Vienna University of Technology
8. University of Salzburg
9. University of Klagenfurt

University of Vienna

Focusing both on teaching and research, the University of Vienna, which was founded in the year 1265 is one of the most popular educational institutes amongst those who want to study in Austria. With 15 faculties and 5 centers, Theology, Mathematics, Microbiology, Business, Law, etc are some of the fields in which courses are offered. Thus, for those who want to kickstart a career in Microbiology or want to build a career in Theology, this can be an ideal education institute. It is imperative to know that the oldest university of german-speaking nations also houses Austria’s largest library!

Vienna University of Technology

The university, which was established 204 years ago as imperial Royal Polytechnical Institue is now known as TU Wien. Many innovation-oriented enterprises have formed a partnership with the university. Currently, the educational institute has 8 faculties:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Technical Chemistry
• Informatics
• Civil Engineering
• Architecture
• Regional Planning
• Mechanical Engineering
• Informatics
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Information Technology

University of Graz

Considered as the 2^nd largest university of the nation, it came into existence when Pope Sixtus approved its formation 314 years ago. Currently, the university is home to more than 30,000 students and 4,300 staff. Offering scores of diploma, bachelor’s, masters, joint, and doctoral programmes, the university is a popular choice amongst students who want to study in Austria. With the largest faculties being that of Arts & Humanities and Natural Science, here is a list of the 6 faculties of the institute:

• Arts & Humanities
• Environmental
• Regional and Educational Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Catholic Theology
• Medicine (Was separated in 2004 and now is an independent university named as “Medical University of Graz”)

Public Universities in Austria

Public universities in Austria offer free and affordable education to international students and are also renowned for their varied programs. Here are the top public universities in Australia:

• Universität Wien Vienna
• Technische Universität Wien
• Universität Innsbruck
• Technische Universität Graz
• Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz
• Johannes Kepler Universität Linz
• Wirtschaftsuniversität Wein
• Universität für Bodenkultur Wein
• Medizinische Universität Wein
• Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt
• Universität Salzburg
• Medizinische Universität Graz
• Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wein
• Donau-Universität Krems
• FH Oberösterreich
• Institute of Science and Technology Austria
• Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wein
• Montanuniversität Leoben
• Fachhochschule St. Pölten
• FH Joanneum Graz
• Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz
• FH Technikum Wien

Study in Austria for Free

Several universities in Austria cost little to no charges to study there. All the public universities in Austria are highly affordable. But your tuition fees depends on your nationality. Even if you do not qualify for free tuition fees, you have to pay $1,600 per annum i.e. INR 1,16,186.

Tuition Free Universities in Austria for International Students

If you are from EU or Switzerland, tuition fees for you in every public university of Austria will be zero. Another case where your tuition fees will be of zero cost is if you belong to one of the developing countries. Here are the top developing countries which are eligible for free education in Austria:

1. India
2. Turkmenistan
3. Turkey
4. Gabon
5. Croatia
6. Liberia
7. Mozambique
8. Philippines
9. Solomon Islands
10. Anguila
11. Morocco
12. Honduras
13. Senegal
14. Djibouti
15. Central African Rep.
16. Oman
17. Laos
18. Korea, Dem. Rep.
19. Lebanon
20. Kenya
21. Nigeria
22. Maldives
23. Netherlands Antilles
24. Tajikistan
25. Vincent and Grenadines
26. Mexico
27. Mauritania
28. Costa Rica
29. Tonga
30. Algeria
31. Bhutan
32. Togo
33. Guinea
34. Montserrat
35. Burundi
36. Sudan
37. Uzbekistan
38. Guadeloupe
39. Syria
40. American Samoa
41. Palau
42. Cape Verde
43. Fiji
44. Argentina
45. Ethiopia
46. Vietnam
47. Malawi
48. Slovak Rep.
49. Somalia
50. Tuvalu
51. Chile
52. Belarus
53. El Salvador
54. Paraguay
55. Cambodia
56. Mali
57. Estonia
58. Latvia
59. Kazakhstan
60. Guinea-Bisseau
61. Afghanistan
62. West Bank and Gaza
63. Pakistan
64. Egypt
65. Bahrain
66. Azerbaijan
67. Lucia
68. Ghana
69. Cook Islands
70. Mayotte
71. Isle of Man
72. Jordan
73. Romania
74. Zambia
75. Poland
76. Burkina Faso
77. Myanmar
78. Moldova
79. Angola
80. Iran
81. Dominican Rep.
82. Uruguay
83. Nicaragua
84. Botswana
85. Lithuania
86. Dominica
87. Chad
88. Congo, Rep.
89. British Virgin Islands
90. Lesotho
91. Albania
92. Venezuela
93. China
94. Zimbabwe
95. Madagascar
96. Guatemala
97. Libya
98. Iraq
99. Benin
100. Bolivia
101. Niger
102. Gambia
103. Sri Lanka
104. Swaziland
105. Czech Rep.
106. Antigua and Barbuda
107. Colombia
108. Slovenia
109. Armenia
110. Yemen
111. Martinique
112. Mauritius
113. Macedonia
114. Russian Fed.
115. Korea, Rep.
116. Kiribati
117. Guyana
118. Malaysia
119. Bulgaria
120. Papua New Guinea
121. Vanuatu
122. Haiti
123. Bosnia/Herzegovina
124. Puerto Rico
125. Kyrgyz Rep.
126. Saudi Arabia
127. Hungary
128. Malta
129. Cote d’Ivoire
130. Ecuador
131. Cameroon
132. Sierra Leone
133. Suriname
134. Brazil
135. Trinidad and Tobago
136. South Africa
137. Micronesia Fed.
138. Cuba
139. Tanzania
140. Marshall Islands
141. Namibia
142. Belize
143. Rwanda
144. Nepal
145. Mongolia
146. Eritrea
147. Yugoslavia, Fed. Rep.
148. Kitts and Nevis
149. Barbados
150. Thailand
151. Indonesia
152. Congo Dem. Rep.
153. Samoa
154. Tunisia
155. Seychelles
156. Ukraine
157. Panama
158. Bangladesh
159. Jamaica
160. Uganda
161. Equitorial Guinea
162. Georgia
163. Grenada
164. Peru
165. Sao Tome and Principe
166. Comoros

If you do not qualify for any of these, you can still, practically, study in Austria for free. By taking admission in public universities, you have to pay a meagre amount of $16,00 per annum which you can easily pay off by doing a part-time job in Austria.

Study in Austria without IELTS

It is possible to study in Austria without IELTS in the following conditions:

• You have a higher impressive score in your last academic course or degree
• You can also provide other language proficiency scores like PTE, C1 Advanced, etc.
• You can opt for a German-taught course for which you will be asked for German langueg test like TestDaf, DSH, etc.

Austria Student Visa

In order to study in Austria, you need to have a residence/study visa or both. Its criteria can vary based on nationality. But before delving into the procedure to obtain the aforementioned documents, let us first understand the types of visas:

• For Non-EU students, If the course duration is less than six months, you need to apply only for a student visa. But if your course exceeds six months limit, you will have to get a residence permit too. Make sure that you get yourself registered with the registration office within 3 working days of arrival in Austria. Further, If you intend to stay in Austria for more than six months, you will need to apply for a residence permit.

• EU/EEA or Switzerland students don’t need any visa. All you need is valid health insurance and a budget to study in Austria. To stay for more than 90 days, you will have to get registered with municipal authority.

• For Interns: Since 2018, third-country students, who have been issued Visa D can apply for internships in Austria. Such applicants can work between 3-6 months in the country. To understand who qualifies as an “Intern”, you can click here.

• Those students who are studying a bachelor’s program can work up to 10 hours a week, and those who are doing masters can work up to 20 hours a week. Though this can vary based on the nationality and visa conditions.

Note: To get your visa, you will have to apply at the consulate or embassy before traveling to Austria. It may take 15 days to receive your student visa.

Documents Required

• Application form
• Passport size photographs
• Proof of financial ability
• Educational qualification proof
• A certification from the police that represents that you haven’t been into any criminal activity.
• Medical examination certificate
• Student pass

Entry Requirements to Study in Austria

To study in Austria you have to qualify the eligibility criteria which is required by the admission department of all the universities/ colleges. They are mentioned below.

• Fill the Application Form – The application form for the university you wish to study in can be downloaded from the university’s homepage. Interested candidates must fill in their personal information as well as the program they wish to study.
• Proof of Nationality – Candidates interested in applying to universities in Austria must provide their proof of nationality with a copy of official ID along with a photo. Candidates must also submit their valid travel documents
• University Entrance – There are different requirements for different programs.
  • For Bachelor and Diploma Degree Courses: Candidates must submit copies of their Secondary School Examination or any other equivalent.
  • For Master’s Program: Candidates applying for a Master’s program in Austria need to submit copies of their Bachelor’s degree and their Secondary School Examination mark sheet or any other equivalent.
  • For Doctoral Studies: To get admission in a Doctoral studies program candidates will be required to submit copies of their master’s degree along with their bachelor’s degree.
• Entrance Exam – Certain universities will require students to sit for an entrance exam. These are mostly for courses like Universities of Arts or Medical Universities.
• German Speaking Certificate: Students may also require to provide a certificate stating that they know and understand the German language. 

Study in Austria in English

Austria is a beautiful country with some of the best universities in it. But one of the major problem that students face is the language barrier. Since a lot of people in Austria speak German, people assume that all the universities also teach in German. But that’s not the case as many universities that take international students give a choice of language or teach courses in English.

English Universities in Austria

Several Universities in Austria offer bachelors in English and Masters in English. Other than this, you can find more than 200 courses that are taught in english in the universities of Austria. Courses that you can learn in English are:

1. Master of Engineering
2. Master of Public Health
3. Bachelor of Science
4. Bachelor of Education
5. Bachelor of Engineering
6. Bachelor of Laws
7. Master of Laws
8. Bachelor of Arts
9. Bachelor of Fine Arts
10. Master of Business Administration
11. Master of Science and Master of Art
12. Master of Social Work

Universities in Austria that teach in English

1. University of Vienna
2. Vienna University of Technology
3. MCI Management Center Innsbruck
4. Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences
5. University of Applied Sciences Burgenland
6. MODUL University Vienna
7. Salzburg University of Applied Sciences
8. Webster Vienna Private University
9. IMC University of Applied Sciences in Krems
10. Medical University of Graz
11. Medical University of Innsbruck
12. Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences
13. University of Innsbruck

Scholarships in Austria

Tabulated below are the scholarships for international students to study in Austria:

Name of Scholarship	Duration	Funding Organisation	Closing Date of Application
Scholarships of the Scholarship Foundation of the Republic Austria for Master’s Degree in International Relations	9 months	OeAD-GmbH on behalf of Scholarship Foundation of the Republic of Austria	March 1st
Webster University Vienna Scholarships	Grants for the whole degree program	Webster University, Vienna	November 30th
DUO-India Fellowship Programme	4 months	ASEM-DUO	September 30th
AAI Graz Scholarship Programme	Afro-Asiatisches Institut	Other Institutes	March-End of May
Summer School AEMS – Alternative Economic and Monetary Systems	1 month (Usually July to August)	OeAd-Housing and Partner Institutions	July 12th
Ernst Mach Grant	9 months	Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research	October to February

How to Apply to Universities in Austria?

Step 1
Conduct thorough research about the university you want to enroll in. Check the eligibility criteria, documents required, English language proficiency scores, etc. You can also check the official website of the universities or simply let experts at Leverage Edu do this for you!

Step 2
Collect all the required documents like:

• Photocopy of your valid passport
• School leaving certificate
• A proof of purpose that states why you’re staying in Austria.
• Your birth certificate
• Language proficiency test. If your course is in English, you will need certification in TOEFL, IELTS, or C1 Advanced. And if you’re going to study courses in German, you will need German language proficiency certification like Deutsche fur Zuwanderer A2/B1.

Step 3
If you want to apply for applied sciences programs, you will have to attend entrance exams before getting admission.

Step 4
It’s time to fill the application form and submit all the necessary documents along with it in order. Make sure that all documents get certified.

Step 5
Once your application is approved, you will be notified and will be issued a student pass. This student pass is just like a letter of acceptance. It acts as proof to get your student visa!

Step 6
With an acceptance letter in hand, the next step is to apply for a student visa. Read the following paragraphs to understand the process in detail.

Popular Jobs for Students in Austria

There are a host of job opportunites for students while studying in Austria. However, while looking for a job, students must keep in mind that a profeciency in German as well as English is required for proper communication.

• Education Industry : There is always room for students who can teach and educate in the English language. It is a good job prospect and the salary pain is also reasonable. Mostly studenst who are pursung their post graduation get selected as research assistants or teaching assistants in the departments they are studying in.
• On Campus Jobs: A lot of students get employment opportunities on their very campus. The jobs are varoed and can be in the international student brach of the university, the faculty adminstration, the department libray and even the college cafe.
• Internships:  If you are looking for part time jobs hwile studying in Austria, then getting an intership is a great idea. There is a broad scope for internships in Austria. Not only are they financially rewarding but they also help you build a a strong resume for the future.

Is Austria Good for International Students?

Here are the top reasons why Austria is the best study destination for international students:

• Austria has been ranked in the list of the top 10 peaceful countries in the world by Global Peace Index.
• It is also one of the happiest countries in the world as per the World Happiness Report.
• As per the Corruption Perception Index, Austria is amongst the least corrupted countries.
• The cost of studying in Austria is also economical as the fee per semester is around 70,000 INR and the living costs are also affordable.
• The universities in the country offer a plethora of full-time and short-term courses in almost every specialisation.
• After completing your studies, you can also find numerous post-study work opportunities in Austria.

Note: Even though the tuition fees are affordable, accommodation, traveling, food, and miscellaneous costs may raise your expenses. It is thus advised to plan your budget accordingly if you want to study in Austria.

FAQs

Hence, to study in Austria means to open the doors to an array of career opportunities! Needless to say, completing the documentation process of the Austrian universities can be a daunting task. Take the assistance of experts at Leverage Edu who will guide you in the admission process, right from crafting an impeccable SOP to completing visa formalities!