Being able to travel the world and experience the different cultures an international setting can provide is valuable for those pursuing careers in healthcare. Exposure to the problems citizens of another country experience can help professionals with international graduate degrees find solutions on a global scale. Despite the differences each country may have, healthcare professionals are held to high standards. With countless lives on the line, professionals in medicine and nursing are essential to the smooth management and coordination of any society.
Taking up nursing as an international degree can be a daunting task, especially considering the numerous other factors that might come into play. Countries may have their own educational requirements, such as language proficiency tests and other cultural standards, which is why reading up on current information is necessary when considering which country best suits one’s needs.
Should one opt to take up nursing in the heart of Europe, Austria is one of the countries well situated to provide the education that they may seek. Austria’s current route for nurses with a degree in Health and Nursing Care is a bachelor’s degree program at a university of applied sciences lasting at least 3 years, or at least 180 ECTS credits. After completing their education, nurses must register with the Register of Health Care Professions to be eligible to work as nurses in Austria. Austria also offers opportunities for nurses who want to specialize in certain areas, such as pediatric care, psychiatric care, intensive care, anesthesia, renal nursing, surgical nursing, infection prevention and hygiene, wound, stoma and continence management, and hospice and palliative care. So, let’s take a look at how to study nursing in Austria.
What Degrees are there for Nursing in Austria?
The main degrees are bachelor’s degree programs in Health Care and Nursing at universities of applied sciences. These programs last at least 3 years and are equivalent to at least 180 ECTS credits. After completing the program, graduates must register with the Register of Health Care Professions before they can work as nurses in Austria.
A student may also choose graduate or continuing education programs in nursing science or advanced nursing practice. Austria recognizes several specialized nursing areas, including pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, intensive care, intensive pediatric care, anesthesia nursing, renal nursing, surgical nursing, infection prevention and hygiene, wound, stoma and continence management, hospice and palliative care, teaching tasks, and managerial tasks. Special training or a recognized specialization is required for these roles.
At the graduate level, the University of Vienna offers a master’s degree in Nursing Science. The program is taught in German, has no entrance examination, and can be completed in 4 semesters with 120 ECTS credits.
Other nursing schools in Austria, such as Hochschule Campus Wien, offer Advanced Nursing Practice as a continuing education master’s program with a focus on nursing management. The program is part-time, taught in German, and lasts 4 semesters with 120 ECTS credits.
The Paracelsus Medical University offers a doctoral study program entitled Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (Ph.D.). The program lasts 6 semesters, carries 180 ECTS credits, and is offered in a blended, part-time format.
Cost of Studying Nursing
To determine the possible costs of studying nursing in Austria, living costs, tuition fees, and accommodation need to be considered. Current Study in Austria guidance estimates average monthly living expenses for a student in Austria at approximately 1,400 euros, though the amount varies depending on the study location and lifestyle.
Tuition fees also differ according to citizenship, institution, and program type. At the University of Vienna, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are generally exempt from tuition during the standard duration of the degree program plus 2 tolerance semesters and pay only the Students’ Union fee during that period. If tuition is charged, the standard tuition fee is 363.36 euros plus the Students’ Union fee, for a current total of 389.56 euros per semester. Non-EU/EEA citizens generally pay 726.72 euros in tuition plus the Students’ Union fee, for a current total of 752.92 euros per semester, though exemptions can apply.
At universities of applied sciences, nursing bachelor’s programs may charge different fees. For example, Hochschule Campus Wien lists its Health Care and Nursing bachelor’s degree tuition fee as 363.36 euros per semester plus the Students’ Union contribution and any optional additional costs, while IMC Krems lists a 363.36 euro study fee for its General Nursing bachelor’s degree program. Private universities and continuing education programs can cost substantially more, so applicants should always check the current official fee page for the specific program before applying.
Requirements to Study Nursing in Austria
Before admission into any university, certain documents and processes must be completed. For a bachelor’s degree in Health Care and Nursing at a university of applied sciences, applicants generally need a university entrance qualification, such as an Austrian secondary school leaving certificate, an equivalent foreign certificate, completion of at least 3 years of study with 180 ECTS credits at a recognized postsecondary institution, or a relevant professional qualification with additional examinations. German language skills are also important; Hochschule Campus Wien, for example, requires at least German B2 for admission to its Health Care and Nursing bachelor’s program.
For Paracelsus Medical University, the Bachelor’s Program Nursing Science Online is aimed at nursing professionals from German-speaking countries. Applicants must provide a valid certificate of professional nursing qualification and proof of a general higher education qualification, although PMU also offers an admissions route for applicants without a Matura or Abitur.
At Hochschule Campus Wien, the regular Health Care and Nursing bachelor’s program requires applicants to apply online, provide proof of identity, prove the relevant admission requirement, provide proof of German B2, submit a German CV, and provide legalizations or translations if applicable. After acceptance, students must also provide proof of no criminal record and proof of health suitability.
Additionally, the University of Vienna states in its Master Access Guide that admission to the Nursing Science master’s program requires completion of an eligible bachelor’s or diploma program. Prior degrees are assessed according to the applicant’s educational background, and degrees without professional training in health and nursing are generally not sufficient. The program is taught in German, and applicants need German proficiency at C1 level.
For the Paracelsus Medical University Ph.D. in Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, applicants must have completed a master’s degree or equivalent qualification totaling 300 ECTS in nursing or a related health science field. The program also requires German at C1 level and English at B2 level.
In What Languages Do You Study at Nursing Schools in Austria?
Most nursing programs listed here are taught in German. Hochschule Campus Wien teaches its Health Care and Nursing bachelor’s degree in German, and IMC Krems teaches its General Nursing bachelor’s degree program in German. The University of Vienna’s Nursing Science master’s program is also taught in German and requires C1 German proficiency. Paracelsus Medical University states that the course language for its Nursing Science Online bachelor’s program is German. Thus, for those wanting to take up nursing in Austria, learning German is essential.
Best Nursing Schools in Austria
1. Paracelsus Medical University
- Nursing Program Link
- Degrees and programs offered:
- Nursing Science Online
- Master’s Program Nursing Science
- Master’s Program Advanced Nursing Practice
- Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (Ph.D.)
- Nursing Practice and Leadership (Ph.D.)
Paracelsus Medical University was established in 2002 and is located in Salzburg, Austria. It is a privately sponsored medical university offering education in human medicine, nursing science, and pharmacy. For nursing students and professionals, PMU offers flexible study options, including online and blended formats designed for working professionals.
2. IMC FH Krems University of Applied Sciences
- Nursing Program Link
- Degrees offered:
- General Nursing bachelor’s degree program
- Advanced Nursing Practice master’s degree program
IMC Krems is located in Krems an der Donau, Austria, and offers degrees in business, health, and science and technology. The institution was founded as the International Management Center in 1994 and received university of applied sciences status in 2002. Its General Nursing bachelor’s degree program is a full-time program taught in German and lasts 6 semesters with 180 ECTS credits. Its Advanced Nursing Practice master’s program is a part-time German-taught program lasting 4 semesters with 120 ECTS credits.
3. University of Vienna
- Nursing Program Link
- Degrees offered:
- Nursing Science (Master)
- Doctoral studies in Social Sciences with Nursing Science as a field of doctoral research
The final candidate in our list of top nursing schools in Austria is the University of Vienna. This university was founded in 1365 and is located in Vienna, Austria. As one of the oldest and largest universities in Europe, the University of Vienna offers graduate-level study and research opportunities in nursing science. Its Department of Nursing Science was founded in 2005 and is one of the first academic institutes in Austria offering an academic degree in Nursing Science.
I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Europe Scholarships Page and Available Courses for International Students.
