Austria, a nation known for its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, is a popular study-abroad destination for students pursuing a quality education. International students in Austria can choose from a broad range of degree programs and academic subjects.
Additionally, Austria offers relatively affordable tuition, a wide range of universities, and opportunities to explore Europe and its cultural destinations. At public universities, Austrian students and nationals of EU and EEA countries generally do not pay tuition if they remain within the minimum duration of their program plus two additional semesters. However, the mandatory Austrian Students’ Union fee still applies, and different rules may apply at private universities and universities of applied sciences. With that said, if you are an international student curious about the programs offered at Austrian universities, this article introduces subjects you may consider studying.
Top Courses to Study in Austria
1. Medicine
Austria’s public medical universities offer clinically oriented diploma programs in human medicine. At the Medical University of Vienna, for example, the Human Medicine program lasts 12 semesters, carries 360 ECTS credits, and includes clerkships and a 48-week clinical practical year. Students can find additional information about medical schools in Austria. Institutions offering Human Medicine include the Medical University of Innsbruck, the Medical University of Vienna, and the Medical University of Graz.
Admission to public medical universities in Austria involves more than completing a science-focused secondary education. First-time applicants must pass the MedAT admission test and meet the university’s general admission requirements, which normally include a qualifying secondary school-leaving certificate. Both admission and continued enrollment in public medical programs require German proficiency at the C1 level. Applicants should review the applicable language requirements and admission deadlines before applying.
2. Engineering
Engineering is another major field available in Austria. Austrian universities offer engineering programs in areas such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, electronics, information technology, and mechatronics. Examples of universities offering engineering degrees include Johannes Kepler University Linz, TU Wien, and TU Graz.
These institutions offer engineering education at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Their programs combine scientific and mathematical foundations with laboratories, exercises, projects, and other forms of practical learning. Program length, language of instruction, and admission requirements vary, so applicants should review the details of their chosen degree.
Engineering offers numerous career pathways. Graduates may work in fields such as software engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing, research, and technology development. Salaries vary according to the engineering discipline, position, qualifications, and level of experience.
3. Business Administration
Business administration is a versatile subject to study in Austria. At the institutions listed above, related bachelor’s programs generally comprise 180 ECTS credits and are designed to be completed in six semesters, or three years. The language of instruction depends on the program. For example, the University of Vienna’s Business Administration bachelor’s program requires German, while the Vienna University of Economics and Business offers an English-taught Bachelor’s Program in Business and Economics. Programs in this field commonly cover areas such as management, marketing, accounting, finance, economics, quantitative methods, strategy, and human resources.
Depending on the institution and program, students may gain practical experience through projects, optional internships, or professional-experience tracks. Many business-related programs in Austria also incorporate international perspectives and offer opportunities to study abroad or participate in exchange programs. Students should compare curricula carefully because internship requirements and specialization options are not the same at every university.
4. Computer Science
Computer science is an established and continually developing academic field in Austria. The bachelor’s programs offered by TU Wien and TU Graz each comprise 180 ECTS credits and are designed to last six semesters. Their curricula cover subjects such as programming, algorithms, computer systems, data structures, software engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, databases, and information security. Both programs are primarily taught in German, although TU Graz states that many courses are available in English.
Students also have opportunities to work on software and research projects and explore developing technologies. Applicants generally need a recognized secondary school-leaving certificate or an equivalent university entrance qualification. Requirements differ by institution. For example, TU Wien requires C1 German proficiency and has a selection procedure for its computer science bachelor’s programs. However, TU Wien states that prior programming or computer experience is not required. Prospective students should review the specific admission rules for their chosen computer science program in Austria.
5. Tourism and Hospitality Management
Tourism and hospitality management is relevant to Austria because of the country’s large tourism sector, cultural heritage, and extensive network of hotels, resorts, and visitor destinations. Among the institutions listed above, Modul University Vienna offers dedicated bachelor’s programs in tourism and hospitality management. The Vienna University of Economics and Business offers broader business and economics programs and conducts tourism-related research, but its current bachelor’s program list does not include a dedicated tourism or hospitality management degree.
Modul University Vienna’s three-year BBA in Tourism and Hospitality Management includes a compulsory internship of 960 hours, allowing students to gain practical industry experience. Other programs may have different internship requirements. Tourism and hospitality curricula can prepare students for work in hotels, resorts, tourism organizations, destination management, event management, travel services, and other service-focused businesses.
Austria offers international students a diverse selection of academic subjects and institutions. Students can pursue programs at the country’s universities while experiencing its cultural heritage and central European location.
We hope this article on subjects to study in Austria has been helpful to your international student journey. If you are interested, check out the Study in Austria and Available Programs for International Students!
