Austria offers international students a broad higher-education system with hundreds of English-taught programs in fields such as engineering, medicine, business, the natural sciences, and the humanities. Competitive university and European scholarships can also provide tuition support or fully fund advanced study.
The recipient stories in this guide demonstrate what focused preparation can achieve. Rebecca’s Erasmus Mundus studies at the University of Vienna inspired fieldwork in India and a decision to pursue doctoral research, while Sarbinaz Nagyzkhan secured a fully funded PhD position at the University of Innsbruck. Afiya was selected as one of only 24 scholarship recipients from 961 applicants for a fully funded master’s involving BOKU Vienna, and Maryam Gul earned Erasmus Mundus funding for a program involving the University for Continuing Education Krems.
Below, we explore 15 of the best universities in Austria for international students, including their academic strengths, admissions information, tuition fees, scholarship opportunities, and the experiences and outcomes of successful scholarship recipients.
Top Universities in Austria for International Students
| INSTITUTION NAME | SELECTED AREAS OF STUDY OR RESEARCH |
|---|
| University of Vienna | Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Teacher Education |
| University of Innsbruck | Humanities, Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Social Sciences |
| University of Klagenfurt | Humanities, Technical Sciences, and Management & Economics |
| Vienna University of Technology | Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Technology |
| Medical University of Innsbruck | Medicine, Dentistry, Molecular Medicine, and Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| Graz University of Technology | Engineering, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences |
| Johannes Kepler University Linz | Business, Economics, Law, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Computer Science |
| University of Graz | Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Environmental Systems Sciences |
| University of Salzburg | Humanities, Natural and Life Sciences, Digital and Analytical Sciences, and Social Sciences |
| Medical University of Vienna | Medicine, Dentistry, Medical Informatics, and Medical Sciences |
| University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna | Natural Resources Management, Agricultural Sciences, and Biotechnology |
| University of Leoben | Circular Engineering, Raw Materials, Process Engineering, and Materials Science |
| University for Continuing Education Krems | Continuing Education Programs, Short Programs, and Doctoral Studies |
| Vienna University of Economics and Business | Business, Management, Accounting, Finance, and Economics |
| Medical University of Graz | Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing Science, and Interprofessional Health Care Studies |
1. University of Vienna
The University of Vienna was founded in 1365 and is one of Europe’s oldest universities. It offers a broad range of degree programs across the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and other fields. The university also provides doctoral training and teacher-education programs.
The University of Vienna has a highly international community. According to the university, around one-third of its students come from outside Austria.
Rebecca’s path to Universit yof Vienna: Italian student Rebecca completed the Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Global Studies after beginning the degree at the University of Vienna, where the program’s flexibility and Area Studies expertise helped shape her later focus on South Asia. For admission she researched the program and its partner universities in detail, reflected that fit in her motivation letter, secured proof of a required third language and advises arranging recommendation letters well before the deadline; she also believes several years of volunteering strengthened her application despite having little professional experience. Her first year at Vienna ultimately led her toward fieldwork in India and the decision to pursue doctoral research. View More University of Vienna recipients →
2. University of Innsbruck
The University of Innsbruck (Universität Innsbruck) was founded in 1669. It offers a broad range of programs across the humanities, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and other fields.
The university has a strongly international community. Its official international profile states that almost half of its students are international students. Its location in the Alps also makes Innsbruck an appealing study destination for students interested in mountain sports and outdoor activities.
Sarbinaz Nagyzkhan’s path to University of Innsbruck: Kazakhstan-born Sarbinaz Nagyzkhan became a PhD researcher in social entrepreneurship at the University of Innsbruck after building her doctoral applications around a focused research proposal and a consistently strong academic record. She reported a 3.8/4.0 bachelor’s GPA, a 110/110 master’s result and a 330/340 GRE score, prepared the GRE for about six months, and tailored each doctoral application rather than recycling generic materials. Her doctoral position is fully funded through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network. View More University of Innsbruck recipients →
3. University of Klagenfurt
The University of Klagenfurt offers programs in areas such as the humanities, technical sciences, and management & economics. Its official facts page lists bachelor’s, master’s, teacher-education, and doctoral programs.
The university is located in the Austrian state of Carinthia. It has more than 13,300 students, including around 3,000 students from outside Austria, and is organized into four faculties.
4. Vienna University of Technology
“Technology for people” is the guiding principle of Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien). TU Wien is a major Austrian institution for research and education in technology and the natural sciences. It has eight faculties and more than 26,000 students enrolled in 62 degree programs.
TU Wien is ranked joint 197th in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Students should review the university’s current program pages to confirm the language of instruction and admissions requirements for their intended degree.
5. Medical University of Innsbruck
The Medical University of Innsbruck is an institution for medical education and research in western Austria. It has around 3,800 students and offers programs in medicine, dentistry, molecular medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, and doctoral fields.
The university also provides information for incoming students who are interested in observerships and clinical electives. Students should check the relevant department page for current eligibility criteria and application procedures.
6. Graz University of Technology
Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) is a technical university in Graz. Its teaching and research are organized across seven faculties and 96 institutes.
The faculties cover areas such as architecture, civil engineering, electrical and information engineering, computer science and biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, and mathematics and physics. Prospective students should consult the official program pages for current admissions requirements and language options.
7. Johannes Kepler University Linz
Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) offers around 100 academic programs. Its subject areas include business and economics, law, medicine, engineering, computer science, education, the natural sciences, and the social sciences.
JKU offers a range of English-language and dual-language study options. Some dual-language programs are generally taught in German, but selected courses may be available in English depending on demand. Prospective students should check the language requirements for their chosen program.
8. University of Graz
The University of Graz was founded in 1585. It is Austria’s second-oldest university and one of the country’s largest universities.
The university has more than 30,000 students and offers more than 120 programs. Its academic portfolio covers areas such as the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, law, business, and environmental systems sciences. Around 15% of its students are international students.
9. University of Salzburg
The University of Salzburg (Paris Lodron University of Salzburg) was founded in 1622 and re-established in 1962. It has six faculties, 34 departments, and around 90 programs.
The university has almost 18,000 students. Its international office states that more than 36% of its students are international students. Many of its buildings are located in and around Salzburg’s historic center.
10. Medical University of Vienna
The Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Vienna) combines medical education, research, and patient care. Its current study portfolio includes degree programs in medicine and dentistry, a master’s program in Medical Informatics, a master’s program in Molecular Precision Medicine, PhD programs, and doctoral programs in Applied Medical Science.
MedUni Vienna also supports international mobility and cooperation. Students should consult the official program pages because admissions procedures and language requirements vary by degree.
11. University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna
The institution is officially known in English as the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, and is commonly referred to as BOKU University. BOKU is dedicated to teaching and research in sustainability and the management of natural resources.
BOKU offers programs in areas such as natural resources management, agricultural sciences, biotechnology, and environmental fields. It also operates support services for international students, including a buddy network.
Afiya’s path to BOKU: Indonesian environmental-engineering graduate Afiya secured a place in the IMSOGLO Master’s, whose degree route includes BOKU Vienna, after connecting her undergraduate soil-contamination research directly to the Soil-Plant System Processes track. She spent December preparing for IELTS, completed her documents and motivation and recommendation letters in January, and was selected as one of 24 scholarship recipients from 961 applicants in the 2024 cohort. Her multi-university master’s was fully funded through the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. View More University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna recipients →
12. University of Leoben
Technical University of Leoben focuses on future-oriented technical fields. It offers 13 bachelor’s programs and 27 master’s programs.
The university’s core fields include circular engineering, raw materials, process engineering, and materials science. Its stated goals include energy efficiency, climate neutrality, sustainability, zero waste, and circular design. Technical University of Leoben is in the 801–1000 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.
One student’s journey: Muhammad Aiesh Ghayoor entered the European Mining Course triple-degree program, including University of Leoben, after deliberately searching for internationally focused metallurgy and mineral-processing programs and consulting previous EMC students about the selection process. He built his motivation letter around the match between his metallurgy background, sustainable raw-materials research and the program’s focus on innovation and the circular economy, then used alumni feedback to sharpen that narrative. At Leoben he reached his thesis semester working on battery recycling and critical-raw-material recovery in an industry-linked research project. View More University of Leoben recipients →
13. University for Continuing Education Krems
The University for Continuing Education Krems is one of Austria’s public universities. It describes itself as the only public university for continuing education in the German-speaking countries.
The university offers continuing-education bachelor’s and master’s programs, short programs, and doctoral studies. Admissions requirements vary by program. A completed bachelor’s degree is not a universal requirement for every program because the university also offers bachelor’s-level options.
One student’s journey: Maryam Gul, who had spent more than a decade working in university student support, chose the MARIHE Master’s involving the University for Continuing Education Krems because its higher-education management focus matched institutional problems she had encountered professionally. She treated the application as a structured project, mapping individual modules to those problems, preparing before the application window opened and framing her motivation letter as an evidence-based case rather than a list of achievements. The joint degree was fully funded through the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. View More University for Continuing Education Krems recipients →
14. Vienna University of Economics and Business
Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) focuses on business, economics, and related fields. WU holds the AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA accreditations.
International students can also use services such as the Business Language Center and Tandem Learning. Through Tandem Learning, students with different native languages can be matched to practice languages together.
15. Medical University of Graz
The Medical University of Graz (Med Uni Graz) offers programs in medicine, dentistry, nursing science, psychotherapy, interprofessional health care studies, and doctoral fields.
Students applying to medicine or dentistry must meet the university’s German-language requirements. The university states that C1 German is required after the successful admissions procedure for those programs. Med Uni Graz also offers Peer2Peer support, through which trained students assist peers who are experiencing academic or personal difficulties.
FAQs: Studying in Austrian Universities
Is Austria Good for International Students to Study In?
Yes. Austria has more than 77 higher-education institutions. These include public universities, universities of applied sciences, private higher-education institutions, and university colleges of teacher education. Vienna, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Graz, and Linz are among the cities with established higher-education communities.
Tuition-fee rules depend on the type of institution, the student’s nationality or legal status, and the individual program. Some students may qualify for an exemption or reimbursement in specific circumstances, such as certain scholarship programs, exchange arrangements, or country-based exemptions. Students should confirm their eligibility with the university directly.
Austria offers around 580 programs taught in English. Language requirements vary by university and program. Students should review the admissions page for their intended degree rather than assume that a specific German-language level applies to every program.
Can International Students Work in Austria While Studying?
EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals can work in Austria under the same conditions as Austrian citizens.
Third-country nationals who hold a Residence Permit – Student may obtain a work permit for employment of up to 20 hours per week. The employer must apply for the permit through the Austrian Public Employment Service before the student begins working. The permit can be granted without a labor-market check.
Can International Students Stay in Austria After Graduation?
EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may take up employment in Austria under the applicable free-movement rules.
Eligible third-country nationals who complete a qualifying degree in Austria may renew their Residence Permit – Student once for up to 12 months to look for a job or start a business. Graduates who receive a qualifying job offer may be eligible to apply for a Red-White-Red Card for university graduates.
A Red-White-Red Card is generally issued for up to 24 months and is linked to a specific employer. Eligible holders may later apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus, which provides unlimited access to the labor market. Applicants should review the official government criteria before applying.
Austria offers international students a wide range of educational options, including English-taught programs and opportunities to study in culturally rich cities. Students should compare universities carefully and confirm the latest admissions, tuition, and immigration requirements through official sources.
We hope this article on universities in Austria for international students was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
