Austria offers a mix of research universities, universities of applied sciences, arts institutions and private providers. That range gives international students several ways to approach a subject: through academic research, applied projects, creative practice or a combination of them. English-taught options exist, but the right choice depends on your study level and interests.
Vienna is a natural starting point for many students. Graz, Linz, Innsbruck and other university locations can offer equally relevant courses and very different daily experiences. Start with your academic shortlist and then look at where and how you will live, rather than choosing a city first and hoping a suitable course is available.
Finding a course in English
The Study in Austria portal, provided by OeAD, is a useful starting point for institutions and study information. Follow the programme search through to the university’s own page and check the teaching language, course structure and entry requirements.
Do not confuse an English-language website with an English-taught degree. German remains relevant to many courses and to everyday life. A programme may require English for admission but still offer optional modules or placement environments in German. Ask about compulsory activities and the language of assessment if the published description is unclear.
One clear bachelor’s example is WU Vienna’s Business and Economics programme: a full-time, English-taught degree of six semesters and 180 ECTS. It combines business and economics foundations with quantitative work and opportunities to develop a personal study profile. Its selection procedure is held for a particular admission year, so applicants must use the current timeline rather than a generic university enrolment date.
Choosing a learning environment
Compare how each institution teaches your subject. Universities of applied sciences may appeal if you want a clearly structured course with applied learning, while a research university may offer more scope to explore theoretical questions. These are starting points, not guarantees: read the actual curriculum and ask about projects, assessment and supervision.
For engineering or computing, find out what laboratory or project work students complete. For business, look at the balance between quantitative subjects, team assignments and discussion. For creative study, ask about studio access, materials and portfolio development. Your weekly experience will depend on those details more than on a broad institutional label.
At master’s level, pay attention to the knowledge expected on arrival. A programme that interests you may require specific earlier coursework. Compare prerequisites before spending time on an application, and ask about any available way to address a gap.
Tuition fees: public universities are not the whole picture
Austria’s tuition system distinguishes applicant categories and institution types. According to OeAD’s current tuition guidance, Austrian and equivalent-status EU/EEA students at universities generally do not pay tuition while within the standard study duration plus two additional semesters. After that, the stated tuition is €363.36 per semester. Students from other countries holding a Residence Permit–Student generally pay €726.72 per semester, subject to exceptions.
The same source lists a compulsory students’ union contribution of €26.20 per semester at the time of this review. It is separate from tuition and may change. Universities of applied sciences and private institutions can have different fees, so do not apply the public-university figures to every course in Austria.
Ask the institution to confirm the category that applies to you. Then compare the full academic-year cost, including any materials, excursions, equipment or application charges. Our tuition-fee guide explains why a semester figure needs to be converted carefully before comparing countries.
Accommodation and a realistic living budget
OeAD’s living-cost guidance uses accommodation of around €450–€700 a month as a planning component and about €300 for food. These are estimates, not a personalised total or a promise that a particular room is available. Add utilities where excluded, local transport, insurance, communications, study costs and your own everyday spending.
Compare residences and shared flats close to your faculty. Ask what the rent includes, how deposits work and whether the agreement continues over summer. A room that seems affordable for ten teaching months may require payments over twelve months.
Keep a separate arrival fund for travel, deposits and setting up your room. Warm clothing and occasional journeys home can also be significant expenses. Make your budget work without relying on finding a job in the first few weeks.
Applications and scholarships
Admissions are set by institutions and programmes. Some have a selection procedure or entrance examination, and arts courses may require an audition or portfolio. An English-taught course may open and close applications months before teaching begins.
Gather academic records and the exact language evidence requested. Do not assume one university’s accepted English certificate or document format will satisfy another. If you are waiting for final results, ask whether you can enter the selection process with provisional documents.
The grants.at database is a useful place to research funding by nationality, purpose and study level. Read the funding period and scope: a research visit, mobility grant or partial award is different from support for an entire degree. University awards may be competitive or depend on academic performance after enrolment.
Residence, student work and life beyond lectures
Check entry and residence arrangements early through OeAD’s live-and-work guidance. Nationality, length of stay and residence status determine your route. Accommodation registration and permission to reside are different administrative steps, so follow the checklist relevant to you.
Student work can add practical experience, but permission and conditions vary. Ask about your residence category before accepting employment, and do not equate permission to work with an available job. German can help considerably when you look for work outside an international academic environment.
Use student societies, language courses, careers events and project opportunities to build a life beyond lectures. A placement is most useful when it connects with skills you want to develop; ask whether the course helps arrange it or expects you to do so yourself.
Austria is worth considering if its courses fit the way you want to learn. Compare a manageable set of options with our programme finder, and use our English-taught study guide to clarify the details before applying.
Reviewed 25 October 2026. Fee categories, union contributions and admission timelines should be reconfirmed for your intake.