Becoming a nurse in Austria involves studying for a three-year undergraduate degree which grants a qualification as a general nurse. With further training, nurses can then become qualified as specialized in various areas of interest.
The Austrian education system includes nursing programs at Bachelor’s level, and students need to apply to university with their high-school GPAs as well as pass entrance examinations before they can study further. While most programs are delivered in German, there are some English-language seminars and courses. However, you will need to be fluent in German to study nursing in Austria.
Here is a guide to the best nursing schools in Austria.
Best Nursing Schools in Austria
1. University of Vienna
- Nursing Program
- Degrees offered: Master’s in Nursing, PhD
- Language of Instruction: German
The University of Vienna has an illustrious history, having been founded in 1365 by Duke Rudolph IV and being, therefore, the oldest university in the German-speaking world. It is one of the most highly reputable universities in Europe, particularly in Humanities and Social Sciences, of which Nursing is also considered to be part. The University of Vienna is the best nursing school in Austria because of its prestige and academic excellence.
The Department of Nursing Science at the University of Vienna was founded in 2005, being one of the first dedicated academic departments for nursing in Austria. While they don’t yet offer a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, the department has created a Master’s degree in Nursing Science and a Ph.D.
The Master’s degree is 2 years long and requires that applicants have completed a nursing school program with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Its aim is to both deepen and expand the scientific and research methodological knowledge that students would have acquired in a Bachelor’s degree. There is also a strong practical component to the program, and particular attention is given to application-oriented research.
2. IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems
- Nursing Program
- Degrees offered: Bachelor of Nursing
- Language of Instruction: German
The IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems is focused primarily on health and life sciences, as well as business and engineering. It offers degrees in nursing and midwifery. The origins of the university as it can be found today date back to 1994 when the International Management Center (IMC) was founded, offering a degree program in Tourism and Leisure Management. In 2002, the IMC was awarded the status of the university and in 2008, the first nursing program launched – the Bachelor in Advanced Nursing Practice.
Today, the main nursing program is the Bachelor’s in General Nursing, run over three years and allowing students to build towards their nursing career through knowledge and clinical practice. The program is taught in German and includes a 52-week internship.
3. Medical University of Graz
- Nursing Program
- Degrees offered: Master’s in Nursing Science, PhD
- Language of Instruction: German
The Medical University of Graz, a top nursing school in Austria, used to be a part of the Karl-Franzens-University of Graz, established in 1863 and became an independent university in 2004.
The university houses a department dedicated to nursing science, focusing on the various needs and challenges in the field of nursing and general care. While there is no Bachelor’s degree offering, the Master’s degree is aimed at those who have obtained an undergraduate degree in nursing and wish to deepen their knowledge, especially after having acquired practical knowledge as practicing nurses.
4. Salzburg University of Applied Sciences (FH Salzburg)
- Nursing Program
- Degrees offered: Bachelor of Science in Health Studies
- Language of Instruction: German
The Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, one of the best nursing schools in Austria, have a Nursing department where students can obtain a degree in Health Studies, qualifying them to become a registered nurse. This is a 3-year program teaching students how to work in a challenging environment, with patients with varying conditions. It is offered at the Salzburg campus as well as at the Schwarzach campus.
As part of the course, you will not only acquire the necessary technical skills and knowledge but also an array of social skills required to cope with the diverse scenarios and patients you will be required to deal with as a nurse. The program enables you to become a professional intermediary between patients and doctors. It includes innovative learning methods such as e-learning and scientific research, as well as casework, literature studies, and practical exercises.
Overall, the aim of the program is to end up with empowered nurses who can implement their own research and practical projects competently, serving the communities they work with to the best of their capabilities.
5. Paracelsus Medical University
- Nursing Program
- Degrees offered: Bachelor in Nursing Science, postgraduate options
- Language of Instruction: German
Paracelsus Medical University is a private institution with campuses in Salzburg, Austria, and Nuremberg, Germany. It was created in 2002 and relies on a mix of private and public funding to offer a multitude of programs in medicine and nursing. It also has many constructive partnerships around the world, such as with Cambridge University in the UK, the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University and Yale University in the US, the University of Milan in Italy, and many others.
This top nursing school in Austria is dedicated to educating nurses with a combination of research and teaching, theory and practice. There are a few different ways to obtain a Bachelor of Nursing here: a fully online course with one week per year on campus in Salzburg is one of them. This offers a fully flexible online lecture environment to suit every student’s schedule, accompanied by a 4-week professional internship with clear objectives. There are options for exchange programs as well, for studying abroad or domestically.
Additionally, Paracelsus offers a Nursing Science 2-in-1 degree, whereby in seven semesters, you will obtain both the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a certificate for general health care and nursing care, for psychiatric health care, and for children and youth care. This combination is a very intense program of study, with theoretical and practical work, individual research, and associated internships, but it delivers a full package of nursing certification and training.
We hope that this article on the best nursing schools in Austria was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Programs in Europe for International Students to know more about studying abroad!
