Can You Study in Austria in English?
Do you want to study in Europe, particularly in Austria? Great choice, as Austria is situated in the center of Europe with easy access to its neighboring countries by air, road, or rail. However, you don’t speak german or are just interested in studying in the English language? Does Austria have English-taught undergraduate and postgraduate programs?
In Austria, international students can study English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. The country offers over 200 English programs divided into undergraduate and postgraduate.
Here is the list of Bachelor’s and Master’s titles available in Austria:
- Bachelor of Engineering
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Education
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Engineering
- Master of Laws
- Master of Social Work
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Science and Master of Art
Great news! You can study in English in beautiful Austria; what else should you know before searching for the right university? Education in Austria isn’t expensive and considered one of the most affordable in Europe. Yet, the situation with English courses is different. Undergraduate programs are particularly pricey.
Besides, read our guide on how to study in Austria for free and this guide on studying in English in Vienna.
Cost of English undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Austria
In Austria, you can enroll in various higher education institutions, including public or private universities, colleges, and Universities of Applied Sciences. Currently, Austria hosts over 88,000 international students.
1. Public universities
There are 22 public universities in Austria. Their tuition fees:
- For EU/EEA students: free of charge
- For non-EU/EEA students: 1,454 EUR/academic year or 727 EUR per semester.
Top-ranked Austrian public universities:
- University of Vienna
- Vienna University of Technology
- University of Innsbruck
- Medical University of Graz
- Medical University of Innsbruck
Read this article, where we have selected the top Austrian universities for international students.
2. Private universities
Austria has 13 private universities, and each has its tuition fees, which can cost anywhere between 3,000 – 23,000 EUR/year. Some Business programs are more expensive, with tuition costs of 35,000 EUR/year or more. You need to check each university separately.
Some of the top-ranked private universities:
- MCI Management Center Innsbruck
- MODUL University Vienna
- Webster Vienna Private University
That said, in Austria, most programs taught in English are offered at private universities. Mainly, undergraduate programs are challenging to find in public institutions.
3. Universities of Applied Sciences
You can choose from 21 Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule). They are free to decide how much to charge; most students from the EU/EEA & Switzerland pay tuition fees of 363 EUR/semester.
Non-EU/EEA students can expect to pay between 727 – 7,500 EUR/semester, depending on the university and study program. For the exact information, visit the website of the university you are interested in.
There are also some Universities of Applied Sciences, like the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (FH Vorarlberg) and the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland, where courses are free for all international students. Yet, there are only a few courses taught in English.
Also read: How to study in Vienna in English.
As an international student, I have studied at Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (FH Vorarlberg), where Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are entirely free. However, undergraduate programs are taught in German.
Top-ranked Universities of Applied Sciences:
- Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences
- IMC University of Applied Sciences in Krems
- Salzburg University of Applied Sciences
It’s possible to study English programs in Austria for almost free or pay high tuition fees. Master’s courses cost less than Bachelor’s.
A more comprehensive range of English programs tends to be provided at private universities with accordingly high tutorial fees.
If you are looking for a more affordable way to graduate, check out FHV (Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences) as well as many public universities. They provide free English courses for EU/EEA students and 1,454 EUR/year fees for other international students.
Note that at some point in your studies, you might want to start learning German; it will help for better integration and building a better connection with locals. However, it’s not a must. If you plan to study in Vienna, see this article dedicated to English programs in the Austrian capital.
Read this guide on the things that you must know before coming to study in Austria.
Requirements to study in English in Austria
1. Language certificate
The first and obvious one is that an Austrian university will require you to prove the level of your English. If your English isn’t at a great level, you will struggle to study and might quit after one semester. Almost all Austrian universities accept these official English certificates:
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- C1 Advanced
2. Equivalent school graduation
The applicant must have an A-level or high school diploma that can be considered equivalent to an Austrian Matura (high school graduation).
- For bachelor and diploma degree studies: secondary school leaving certificate or equivalent
- For master’s studies: bachelor’s or equivalent degree
- For doctoral studies: diploma, master or equivalent degree
3. Visa
If you are a national of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you don’t need a visa to live and study in Austria.
For all other nationalities, you will need to apply for a student visa. An applicant must provide the following documents to the Austrian embassy:
- Application form
- Valid travel document, or ID
- Passport-sized photograph
- Confirmation of admission to the Austrian university
- Proof of sufficient financial means
While studying in Austria, you should be able to support yourself for at least 12 months; according to 2020: students under 24 years of age must have 533,85 EUR/month; students of the age of 24 and above – 966,65 EUR/month; couples – 1,472 EUR/month for both, and for each child an additional 149,15 EUR/month.
- Proof of accommodation in Austria – rental contract
- Proof of appropriate travel health insurance (insurance must cover at least 30,000 EUR, including a guarantee to cover possible recovery and repatriation costs; the insurance must be valid in the whole Schengen area) for the planned duration of your stay in Austria
- Flight, bus, or train reservation to come to Austria
- Proof of family ties and/or economic ties with the home country (e. g., proof of employment, proof of being a student there, spouse, children, etc.)
- Fee for a residence permit (120 EUR)
Your application should be submitted at least 3 to 6 months before the intended arrival in Austria.
Health insurance for Austria
Read more about health insurance for foreigners in Austria.
Related Questions
Why study in Austria?
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- Austria is the centre of Europe; you will have an amazing time travelling around.
- Austrian education isn’t expensive
- You will be surrounded by the beautiful Alps
- Austria has one of the highest quality of life in the world
- Abundance of historical architecture, art, music, and literature
- Reasonable cost of living
How expensive is it to live in Austria as a student?
On average, students need at least 900 EUR per month to live in Austria comfortably. You can read more about the cost of living and local salaries in this guide.
Can you work and study at the same time?
Yes, you can work up to 20 hours per week and earn 450 EUR per month tax-free.
For a successful job application, read our guide on how to work in Austria without speaking German.
Are there scholarships and grants for students in Austria?
Yes, there are plenty of scholarships and grants in Austria. Some of them are dedicated to international students. Check out this website to see all available options at the moment. You must apply for one way before your program starts in Austria.
Are there any chances to stay and work after graduation?
Austria allows non-EU/EEA citizens to stay in the country for up to 12 months after graduation. During this time, they should seek a suitable job. At the same time, EU/EEA students don’t need any permission. For more information, check our articles related to how to stay in Austria after graduation.
Which are the best cities to live and study in Austria?
Vienna is the oldest and most well-known of Austria’s university cities. Still, you can also choose to study in Graz, Innsbruck, Linz, or Salzburg, all of which benefit from the beautiful architecture and rich culture that Austria is famous for.
Read our overview of the best cities to live in Austria.
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