Austria is quickly turning into a favorite spot for international students who want to mix top-quality learning with a deep cultural journey.
Placed right in the heart of Europe, Austria gives more than just lovely views and the music of Mozart. This beautiful country is a top choice for students from around the world. International student life in Austria offers a unique blend of high-quality education, rich culture, and stunning landscapes.
Explore everything you need to know about studying and living in Austria as an international student.
What Austria Has to Offer for International Students
From the cosmopolitan urban life of Vienna, now nicknamed the world's most livable city, to its cheap but world-class education, Austria is certainly an outstanding destination for studying abroad.
Placed in a 3rd ranked nation in the 2024 Global Peace Index and you will be able to enjoy top-notch security, economic stability, and quality public services—the most significant characteristics that make Austria an ideal place for students.
Austria boasts an astonishing intellectual heritage with former students including Sigmund Freud and Erwin Schrödinger. Austria even boasts 19 Nobel prize winners! This scholarly excellence continues through to the present day with the likes of the University of Vienna, TU Wien, and Graz University of Technology, which rank among the world's best in their research output and academic pursuits.
Cities like Vienna and Salzburg are cultural gold mines, offering students discounted access to iconic places like the Vienna State Opera, the Albertina Museum, and Mozart's Birthplace. From attending world-class performances to exploring historic landmarks, you’ll find countless ways to enrich your experience beyond the classroom.
Austria's student life is also as varied, with over 97,500 foreign students studying here. Universities like the University of Vienna even have an International Office that helps students settle in, get around, and make the most of their time abroad.
If this has piqued your interest, there's still plenty more to learn about Austrian student life! Take a look at Top 11 Reasons to Study in Austria.
Popular Cities for International Students
Austria is full of student-friendly cities. Here’s a closer look at the most popular ones:
Vienna
With over 190,000 students, Vienna is Austria's academic and cultural hub. It harbors globally renowned institutions like the University of Vienna and has featured consistently among the world's greatest cities to live in.
The Top Neighbourhoods in Vienna for International Students
For students, Leopoldstadt is conveniently close to universities and is youth-oriented, with Wieden and Mariahilf being more so due to their great transportation links. Neubau stands out for its cultural scene, and Alsergrund is ideal for its quiet atmosphere and closeness to the University of Vienna.
Graz
A lively, youthful city, Graz is home to the Graz University of Technology. Known for its affordability, vibrant student culture, and UNESCO heritage sites, it attracts students across diverse fields of study.
Popular student areas are the City Centre, Geidorf, Lend, and Gries, with the best option depending on your university.
Innsbruck
Ideal for adventure-lovers, Innsbruck lies in the beautiful Alps and is ideal for outdoor recreation and sports science students.
Good public transport, so the best places to live in Innsbruck are Allerheiligenhöfe, Hötting, and the city centre.
Linz
Vibrant technology and innovation centre, Linz is ideal for engineering and IT students at Johannes Kepler University.
Here, you can experience Austrian culture from the small town up to full measure, with all of its lifestyle and traditions. Linz is extremely easy to reach from the rest of Austria, and therefore you can get around the country, as well as nearby Germany and the Czech Republic, very easily.
Academic Journey and Student Experience
Austrian education entails adapting to a high standard of education combined with a research-based method. The lectures, along with small seminar-style classes, encourage discussions and learning from one another.
During my Austrian academic journey, I was impressed by the level of personal attention students receive. Class sizes are not very big, and therefore, it is feasible to offer personalized comments on essays and assignments. This proved effective in pinpointing flaws in my work and improving it step by step.
For example, my professor and I worked together for days to get to know economic research methods better in an economics seminar. Never before did I have a teacher work that hard for me. I not only felt prepared but also sure before I took my exam that I was able to do so.
And it's not just the learning process that is fulfilling. Learning in Austria brought me access to elite resources like the Austrian Libraries, which allowed me to engage with intellectual needs in ways I never even imagined.
In addition to studies, education in Austria also opened up cultural exposure and networking opportunities. The country's vibrant cultural life and international student population made my experience even more enriching.
Student Life as an International Student in Austria
When we talk about lifestyle, Austria has a lot to offer. Its cities have good public transport, discounts for students, and many fun things to do.
Also, Austrian universities give great support to students. They have welcome programs, language classes, student groups, and mentors to help you feel at home.
Tuition Fees in Austria
Studying in Austria can be quite cheap, depending on where you choose to go:
- PublicUniversities: Students from the EU/EEA can study for free, but students from outside the EU/EEA pay 1,452 EUR each year.
- Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS): EU/EEA students pay 363 EUR per semester, while non-EU/EEA students pay between 727 and 7,500 EUR per semester.
- Private Universities: Tuition fees range from 3,000 to 23,000 EUR per year, with some business programs costing over 35,000 EUR annually.
Living Costs in Austria
Usually, most universities lack on-campus accommodations, so you may opt for either student residence halls or renting/part-sharing an apartment:
- Student residence halls: Bedrooms range from 200–400 EUR/month.
- Renting an apartment: Personal prices usually exceed 400 EUR/month.
The total monthly living expenses of students are between 900–1,300 EUR, which include housing, food, and other necessities.
Food Costs
Grocery shopping in Austria is affordable, with monthly costs totaling around 200–350 EUR.
If you prefer dining out, meals at local pubs or restaurants cost about 10 EUR, while meals in tourist areas range from 11–18 EUR, with an additional 4 EUR for a drink.
Healthcare
EU/EEA students have free or reduced-cost healthcare with an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). Non-EU students can have free care under reciprocal agreements, or they may need to take out private health insurance before arriving in Austria.
Making New Friends
Studying in Austria is not all about academics—it's about encountering various people and cultures. Austrian universities have events like orientation weeks, cultural happenings, and workshops to allow students to familiarize themselves with other students.
Joining student clubs or volunteering for activities like hiking trips and seasonal markets, especially the Christmas market, is another great way to connect.
Tip: Start with university-hosted events to break the ice!
Universities and Colleges to Attend in Austria
Austria is home to a rich and diverse higher education system with over 50 institutions catering to various academic interests and career paths.
These include 22 public universities, which encompass research universities and universities of arts, 21 universities of applied sciences, and 13 private universities.
Here’s a short overview of Austria’s diverse university options:
- TraditionalUniversities: Broad academic disciplines at institutions like the University of Vienna and University of Graz.
- SpecializedUniversities: Focused programs at TU Wien (Technical University Vienna) and Montanuniversität Leoben.
- MedicalUniversities: Renowned training at the Medical University of Vienna.
- ArtsUniversities: Excellence in music and arts at MDW (University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna) and Mozarteum University Salzburg.
- AppliedSciences: Hands-on learning at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria.
If you’re excited about studying at an Austrian university, check out these unique programs and take your education to the next level in one of Europe’s most beautiful and lively countries!
How to Apply to Austrian Universities
Applying to an Austrian university involves several steps, but the process is straightforward with a little preparation.
Steps to Apply
- Choose your Program
The first step on your journey is choosing the right program for you. Take a look at some of the programs we offer—you’re sure to find one that suits your goals perfectly!
Learn more about the programmes in Austria - Check Admission Requirements
- High school certificate equivalent to Austria's Matura.
- Documentation of language skills (B2 or higher in German for German-speaking programs, TOEFL/IELTS for English-speaking ones).
- Some programs will require entrance exams, especially in programs such as Medicine and Economics.
- Submit Your Application
- Applications are usually submitted through university websites.
- Deadlines are usually in April for the winter semester and October for the summer semester.
- Apply for a Visa (Non-EU Students)
- An entrance visa for study purposes must be obtained and applied for through an Austrian embassy or consulate in your home country.
International Student Life in Austria: A Journey of Growth and Opportunity
Student life in Austria is about more than just studying. It’s about living in a safe and diverse place, meeting new friends from all over the world, and enjoying a good quality of life.
With low tuition fees and friendly schools, Austria has everything you need to make your academic journey even better.
Learn more about the programs and apply to universities in the Austria through the button below. Or book a call with us here.
