Popular Consultant
Emrul Hasan
Professional Consultant
—Hey there, Buddy!
—Welcome to the land of endless opportunities!
But before starting our journey today, let us do some brain work, okay? Close your eyes and think! What comes to your mind when thinking of Austria? Think deeply and jot down your answer for your BuddyBee.
Well! Let me guess! Most probably the perfect location and a very beautiful and most cultured country!
Apart from its world-known universities, do you know which makes studying in Austria one of the perfect choices for international students?
—The mountainous landlocked country offers a great quality of life and is one of the safest countries in the EU, which makes exploring the country’s corners much easier. To be honest, there are so many reasons that make Austria a popular destination, not only for tourists but for international students as well. One reason to study in Austria is the fact that you have the rest of Europe on your doorstep, with neighboring countries like Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, and you can go on a touring spree anytime.
I know that my buddy already has lots of queries and wants to start exploring Austria right away. So, without any further ado let’s dive right in!
⦁ Higher Education System in Austria
The Austrian education system works with the European three-tier system of degrees according to the Bologna Process. Degree programs in Austria’s higher education process include Bachelor’s Programmes and Master’s Programmes, with credits for bachelor studies not under 180 and for master studies not under 120. [5]
⦁ Bachelor Studies (First cycle)
If you have successfully completed upper secondary studies in one of the signatory countries of Lisbon, are in possession of a valid school leaving certificate, and qualify for higher education studies in your home country, you also qualify for higher education studies in Austria. However, you are requested to prove your level of English and German. In some cases, you are also required to take additional qualifying courses. [2]
⦁ Master’s Studies (Second cycle)
In order to apply for a master’s program at a university in Austria, you are required to be in possession of a relevant Bachelor's or equivalent degree diploma. [2]
⦁ Doctoral Studies (Third cycle)
In case, you are applying for doctoral studies at a university in Austria, you are required to be in possession of a relevant diploma or Master’s degree diploma. [2]
⦁ Program Lengths
⦁ Bachelor’s degree program: 6 - 8 semesters
⦁ Master’s degree program: 2 - 4 semesters
⦁ Doctorate/Ph.D.: at least 6 semesters [10]
⦁ Academic Year
The academic year in Austria, as a rule, begins on October 1st and ends on September 30th of the following year.
It consists of two semesters:
⦁ Winter semester (October 1st to January 30th)
⦁ Summer semester (March 1st to September 30th) [2]
⦁ Notable Educational Institutions
Five of Austria’s universities appear in the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings 2020. Austria’s oldest institution, the University of Vienna (154th), ranks the highest and is followed by:
⦁ Vienna University of Technology (192nd)
⦁ Universität Innsbruck (266th)
⦁ Graz University of Technology (311th)
⦁ Johannes Kepler University Linz (412th) [5]
⦁ Austrian Master’s degree grades
Public universities use a four-band grading system:
⦁ Universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) also use four grade bands, but do not give these numeric values:
Any work that falls below these standards is considered to have “Failed” and will not lead to the award of a degree. [11]
⦁ Tuition Fees
In Austria, you can enroll in various higher education institutions, like public or private universities, colleges, and Universities of Applied Sciences.
⦁ Tuition fees at public universities:
⦁ For EU/EEA students: free of charge
⦁ For non-EU/EEA students: 1,452 EUR/academic year
All students have to pay the student union membership and students’ accident insurance fees, which cost around 20 EUR/semester. International students from developing countries are also exempt from tuition fees at many public Austrian universities. Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) are free to decide if they charge tuition fees. At most UAS, students from the EU/EEA and 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.
⦁ Tuition fees at private universities:
Private universities have their own tuition fees, which can cost anywhere between 3,000 and 23,000 EUR/year. Some Business programs are more expensive, with tuition costs of 35,000 EUR/year or more. [3]
⦁ Average living costs in Austria
[8]
⦁ Work Opportunities
As an international student, you can work while studying in Austria. If you want to support your living and education situation, and if you are a citizen of one of the EU/EEA countries you do not need a work permit. On the other hand, those who are non-EU/EEA will need to get a work permit, which allows them to work up to 20 hours per week. [5]
⦁ Grants and Scholarships
In Austria, foreign students can benefit from various study grants and scholarships. Here are several options you should explore:
⦁ Scholarships offered by various institutions on the Grants.at website
⦁ Scholarships offered by the OeAD (The Austrian Agency for International Mobility and Cooperation in Education
⦁ Some Austrian universities might provide other grants or scholarships. Ask about this possibility during the application process or see if they have any information about financial aid programs on their website. [3]
⦁ Language
The official language of Austria is German, but there are also other recognized languages like Hungarian, Slovene, and Burgenland Croatian.
Courses at Austrian universities are taught in either German or in English. However, it is more common to find postgraduate courses taught in English. No matter which language you choose to learn in, you will need to prove your proficiency in that language. If you are not able to meet the required standard, it is common for institutions to offer language courses to help you improve. [1]
You should take the opportunity to learn some German where you can, communicating with the locals and other students is the perfect way to practice. If you translate “Übung macht den Meister” literally, you’ll get “practice makes the master.” Of course, that makes no sense in English, and our nearest translation is “practice makes perfect.” So, take some inspiration for your German studies. The more you practice your grammar and vocabulary, the sooner you’ll become fluent! This is indeed a skill that will also look great on your CV my Buddy.
⦁ Visa Requirements
Depending on your nationality, you may need to obtain a visa or residence permit to study in Austria.
⦁ If you are from an EU/EEA country and Switzerland, you won’t need a visa to study in Austria. Rather, you will need to have a valid health insurance (in the form of an EHIC card if you have one) and the proof of having sufficient funds. Other than that, all you need is a valid travel document such as your passport.
⦁ If you are staying in Austria for more than three months, you are required to get a residence permit within four months of your arrival.
⦁ In case you are from any other country, you will need an entry or residence permit to enter Austria. The procedures and requirements differ depending on your length of stay and degree program. Buddybee will recommend you to visit OeAD – Nationals of Third Countries for more information. [1]
⦁ How to apply
You’ll submit your application directly to the university you’re hoping to join. Some institutions offer online applications, while for others you’ll have to download an application form and apply by post. The application process can be lengthy, in some cases taking up to six months, so you’re encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow time for your application to be processed.
If you want to study for a Masters’s, you should aim to apply during the summer prior to your course - or even in the final year of undergraduate study. Austrians are strict about administrative procedures - deadlines are non-negotiable and you should make sure you've supplied the correct documents.
For entry onto a Master’s you’ll need:
⦁ a degree certificate
⦁ official transcripts of courses
⦁ proof of German language proficiency to the course's stipulated level
⦁ a copy of your passport.
You may also have to supply a personal statement, CV, or portfolio or sit entrance examinations, depending on where you study. [4]
⦁ Conclusion
Despite its small size, Austria has given the world a huge number of enormously respected individuals, from renowned scientists such as Sigmund Freud, Erwin Schrodinger, and Wolfgang Pauli to athletes like footballer David Alaba. Austria is also notable for having provided a home for many influential people who weren’t themselves Austrian, such as Ludwig van Beethoven. There are many gorgeous landscapes waiting to be explored and if you’re not already into sports, there are high chances you will be once you move to Austria. With its rich history and culture, this European country seems to have it all. So, my buddy, what are you waiting for?