With its high-quality education, rich cultural heritage, and numerous research and work opportunities, Austria is an attractive location for international students in higher education. Austria hosts historic universities and colleges in major city centers, allowing international students to have an authentic experience both on and off campus during their stay.
Austria has a central location in Europe; its neighboring countries include the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Germany. Thus, studying in Austria allows international students to discover Central Europe easily. Furthermore, many Austrian universities have multicultural student populations, and the official Study in Austria portal lists around 575 programs taught in English. Many universities also continue to offer German-medium instruction. Read more to learn about five Austrian universities with English-taught study options.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Austria
Studying in Austria can be an excellent opportunity for international students, especially for those seeking research-oriented public universities and English-taught study options. Below, we highlight Austrian universities offering English-taught programs or courses for international students.
1. University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is among Europe’s long-established research universities and Austria’s largest research and educational institution. Founded in 1365, it has around 85,000 students and 11,000 staff members. The university is connected with major research achievements, including the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to Anton Zeilinger, an emeritus professor at the university.
The University of Vienna offers English-taught bachelor’s and master’s options, although German remains the general language of instruction for most degree programs. Current English-taught offerings include the bachelor’s program in Mathematical Foundations of Data Science and master’s programs such as computer science, neuroscience, molecular biology, business analytics, banking and finance, and more. English proficiency requirements vary: most English-taught programs require B2 English, while some English studies programs require C1 and Translation may require C2 if English is a working language. Non-EU/EEA students generally pay €726.72 in tuition plus the Students’ Union fee per semester, while exemptions may apply for some students.
2. Vienna University of Technology
Vienna University of Technology, or TU Wien, is a prestigious technical university recognized for engineering, technology, and applied research. Its predecessor opened in 1815 as the Imperial and Royal Polytechnic Institute of Vienna, making TU Wien one of Austria’s historic technical universities.
TU Wien has a substantial student body; in winter semester 2024, it reported 26,585 active students. The university offers 17 bachelor’s programs, 33 master’s programs, 17 of which are English-taught, seven joint master’s programs, and three doctoral programs. Master’s programs generally last four semesters and carry 120 ECTS, while doctoral programs usually last six semesters and comprise 180 ECTS. Students can also explore faculty-based grants and merit scholarships for eligible studies and research.
3. Graz University of Technology
Dating back to the Joanneum’s teaching activities in 1811, TU Graz is another respected technical university with strong engineering and natural sciences programs. It operates seven faculties and offers 19 bachelor’s programs, 36 master’s programs, 22 of which are taught in English, and doctoral programs in 14 doctoral schools, all of which are taught in English.
TU Graz is located in Graz, Styria, and offers English-medium options for master’s and doctoral studies. As of December 31, 2024, TU Graz had 13,529 students in total, 27.3% of whom were international students. With three main campus locations, TU Graz provides laboratories and research facilities that support study and research in engineering, technology, and the natural sciences.
4. University of Innsbruck
Located in Innsbruck in western Austria, the University of Innsbruck is a public research university distinguished by its strengths across the social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, engineering, and other disciplines. Founded in 1669, it is the largest and most important research and educational institution in western Austria, with about 28,000 students and 5,800 employees.
International students can find English-taught master’s and doctoral options at the University of Innsbruck, including programs such as banking and finance, computer science, pharmaceutical sciences, software engineering, and more. Tuition depends on citizenship and exemption status: when tuition is due, the standard amount is €363.36 per semester for Austrian, EU/EEA, and Swiss students and €726.72 per semester for third-country students, plus the Austrian Students’ Union fee.
5. Johannes Kepler University Linz
Johannes Kepler University Linz is a younger Austrian public university, founded in 1966. JKU has four faculties and six schools and currently enrolls approximately 27,000 students. More than 21% of the student body is international, representing over 120 countries.
International students at JKU can choose from a broad portfolio of around 100 academic degree programs and more than 1,800 English-language courses offered during the academic year. Degree options span undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, with subjects such as artificial intelligence, biological chemistry, computer science, economics, education, physics, engineering, business, and the social sciences appearing across JKU’s academic portfolio.
Austrian universities are distinguished by their rich history, research activity, and strong programs in science and technology. With hundreds of English-taught programs available across Austria, international students can find study options that fit their academic and career goals. Explore the official program pages and admissions requirements before applying to the English-taught universities in Austria listed above.
We hope this article on English-taught universities in Austria was informative and helpful. You can also find more information in the Austria Study Guide and Available Courses for International Students!
