Austria, known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is a popular study destination and a hub for higher education. The country has 23 public universities. Universities in Austria offer programs across a wide range of academic fields and maintain established teaching and research standards. Public-university tuition follows national rules: Austrian and EU/EEA students generally pay no tuition during the standard program duration plus two semesters, while most other third-country students holding a Residence Permit–Student generally pay €751.92 per semester. All students must also pay the compulsory Austrian Students’ Union fee. Students comparing costs can review our guide to affordable universities in Austria.
To help with the decision-making process, this article presents a non-ranked selection of seven public universities in Austria and highlights some of their principal academic areas and international-student resources.
Top Public Universities in Austria
| INSTITUTION NAME | SELECTED ACADEMIC AREAS |
|---|
| Vienna University of Technology | Engineering, Natural Sciences, Architecture, and Computer Science |
| Graz University of Technology | Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, and Materials Science |
| University of Vienna | Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Computer Science |
| University of Innsbruck | Business and Economics, Physical Sciences, and Mountain Research |
| University of Salzburg | Arts and Humanities, Natural and Life Sciences, and Digital and Analytical Sciences |
| Johannes Kepler University Linz | Business and Economics, Law, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Computer Science |
| University Klagenfurt | Humanities, Business and Economics, Technical Sciences, and Sustainability Research |
1. Vienna University of Technology
Vienna University of Technology, commonly known as TU Wien, was founded in 1815. Its eight faculties cover major engineering and natural-science fields, including architecture, civil and environmental engineering, electrical engineering and information technology, informatics, mechanical and industrial engineering, mathematics and geoinformation, physics, and technical chemistry.
TU Wien reports approximately 4,000 scientific staff working across 50 institutes. It offers 17 English-taught master’s programs in addition to several hundred individual courses taught in English. Eligible students may also apply for financial support, including merit scholarships awarded for outstanding academic performance.
2. Graz University of Technology
Graz University of Technology, also known as TU Graz, offers 20 bachelor’s programs and 37 master’s programs, 23 of which are taught in English. As of December 31, 2025, the university reported 13,529 students, with international students accounting for 28.7% of the student body. Its Welcome Center provides services such as international welcome events and a Welcome Buddy program, while language courses are available at multiple proficiency levels.
TU Graz maintains partnerships with universities, research organizations, and industry, including cooperative research and shared research infrastructure. Its degree portfolio includes programs such as Computer Science and Advanced Materials Science alongside a broad range of engineering and natural-science programs.
3. University of Vienna
The University of Vienna was founded in 1365 and is one of Europe’s oldest universities. It has approximately 87,000 students and offers 188 degree programs through 20 faculties and centers. Its academic portfolio spans the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, law, economics, theology, and computer science.
In the latest available editions of two major institutional rankings, the University of Vienna was ranked 95th equal in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and 140th equal in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Its Language Center offers general and specialized courses in more than 30 languages. Most degree programs are taught in German, although the university also offers selected programs in English and other languages.
4. University of Innsbruck
The University of Innsbruck was founded in 1669 and has approximately 28,000 students. Its academic structure includes 16 faculties, and mountain research is one of its prominent interdisciplinary areas. Current mountain-related study options include the Extension Programme Mountain Regions and the interdisciplinary master’s program in Environmental Management of Mountain Areas, which is offered jointly with the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano.
The university’s International Affairs office supports students with international study opportunities, internships abroad, exchange programs, and funding information. Prospective and current students can also obtain guidance from the university’s admissions and student advisory services.
5. University of Salzburg
The University of Salzburg has six faculties, 34 departments, and approximately 90 degree programs. Its academic fields include digital and analytical sciences, natural and life sciences, social and cultural sciences, law and economics, and theology. The university has almost 18,000 students, and its Career Center provides guidance and resources related to career entry.
The university maintains agreements with partner institutions around the world and offers opportunities for students to spend one or two semesters abroad. It also participates in international exchange networks that provide access to universities in numerous countries.
6. Johannes Kepler University Linz
- Admissions
- Selected Academic Areas: Business and Economics, Law, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Computer Science
Johannes Kepler University Linz offers approximately 100 academic programs across fields such as business and economics, law, engineering, computer science, natural sciences, social sciences, education, and medicine. Its joint master’s program in Digital Business Management, offered in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, covers areas such as digital marketplaces, business models, entrepreneurship, and management in the context of digital transformation.
Robotics is taught and researched through JKU’s Institute of Robotics and within related fields such as mechanical engineering and mechatronics; the university does not currently list a standalone bachelor’s degree in Robotics. JKU also offers exchange opportunities through partnerships with universities around the world.
7. University Klagenfurt
The University of Klagenfurt was founded in 1970 and is one of Austria’s publicly funded broad-spectrum universities. It has approximately 13,300 students, including about 3,000 international students, and offers 59 degree programs. Its interdisciplinary research initiatives include Energy Management and Technology, Sustainability, Self-Organizing Systems, and Visual Culture.
The university provides information about scholarships and grants, including merit-based funding for strong academic performance. Admission requirements vary according to the program, the applicant’s previous qualifications, and the country in which those qualifications were obtained.
Overall, Austria offers a range of public universities with teaching and research opportunities across the humanities, sciences, business, law, and technical fields. Prospective students should compare programs carefully and consult each university’s current official admissions and fee information.
We hope this article explained the important details you need to know about some of Austria’s public universities. To learn more about studying abroad, start by visiting our Study in Austria Page. If you are interested, you can also the available program opportunities for international students through these available courses for international students!
