Austria is a popular study destination with a long intellectual history and a well-established higher education system. Its universities have been connected with figures such as Sigmund Freud and Erwin Schrödinger, to name a few.
If you want to join the ranks of these bright minds, then you should try to apply to an Austrian university. Many Austrian public universities remain affordable, especially for students who qualify for tuition waivers. According to the Study in Austria website, EU, EEA, and Swiss students at public universities are generally exempt from tuition during the standard duration of their degree plus two tolerance semesters, although the compulsory Students’ Union fee still applies. Third-country students usually pay €726.72 per semester in tuition, plus the Students’ Union fee, unless they qualify for an exemption. Some public universities, like the University of Vienna, also waive tuition for students from designated developing countries. So, as you can see, the universities in Austria, especially the public ones, can be quite affordable for international students.
Now, let’s go over some of the cheapest universities in Austria for international students one by one, including the official tuition fee pages and admissions pages.
Affordable and Free Universities in Austria for International Students
1. FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: currently no tuition fee for students; all students pay the compulsory Students’ Union fee (€26.20)
Founded in 1989 as Technikum Vorarlberg, FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences has progressed into an institution that provides practice-linked degrees. Its study areas include Technology, Business, Design, Social Work, and Health.
FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences is currently a tuition-free university in Austria. In addition, the university continues to attract international students with its long list of scholarships and financial grants.
2. BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: EU, EEA, and Swiss students are generally exempt from tuition during the standard duration plus two tolerance semesters; third-country students usually pay €726.72 per semester; all students pay the Students’ Union fee (€26.20 per semester)
The university, which is also known as BOKU, was founded in 1872 as a university of agriculture and forestry. Today, it specializes in fields connected to natural resources, life sciences, sustainability, biotechnology, engineering, economics, and social sciences.
BOKU students can choose from a wide array of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, including several English-taught and international master’s options. Many students come from international backgrounds and are attracted by the school’s public-university tuition structure and available grant offerings.
3. University of Vienna
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: EU, EEA, and Swiss students are generally exempt from tuition during the standard duration plus two tolerance semesters; students from designated developing countries generally pay only the Students’ Union fee; other third-country students usually pay €726.72 per semester plus the Students’ Union fee (€26.20 per semester)
Known in German as the Universität Wien, this Vienna-based institution is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The University of Vienna is one of the cheapest universities in Austria for international students who qualify for a tuition waiver or reduced public-university tuition.
Founded in 1365 by Duke Rudolf IV, it was established following the example of the University of Paris, historically associated with the Sorbonne. Given its long and illustrious history, it is considered one of the most reputable European universities, especially in the humanities and social sciences.
The university offers a wide selection of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs across more than 180 subject areas. While most programs are taught in German, the university also offers English-taught and other foreign-language master’s programs. Around one-third of the university’s students come from abroad.
4. Medical University of Vienna
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: EU, EEA, and Swiss students are generally exempt from tuition during the standard duration plus two tolerance semesters; students from designated developing countries generally pay only the Students’ Union fee; other third-country students usually pay €726.72 per semester plus the Students’ Union fee (€26.20 per semester)
The Medizinische Universität Wien became an independent university in 2004 after separating from the University of Vienna. Its roots go back to the Medical Faculty of the University of Vienna, which was founded in 1365.
As a major medical university in Austria, it is known for competitive admission. Medical University of Vienna recorded 8,235 MedAT registrations for medicine and dentistry and offered 784 places in Vienna. Its degree offerings include Medicine, Dentistry, Medical Informatics, Molecular Precision Medicine, PhD programs, and the Doctoral Programme of Applied Medical Science.
With around 9,000 students, the Medical University of Vienna is the largest medical training center in the German-speaking countries and welcomes students from Austria and abroad.
5. University of Salzburg
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: EU, EEA, and Swiss students are generally exempt from tuition during the standard duration plus two tolerance semesters; third-country students usually pay €726.72 per semester; all students pay the Students’ Union fee (€26.20 per semester)
The University of Salzburg, which is based in Salzburg, was founded in 1622. It is named after its founder, Prince-Archbishop Paris Lodron.
Re-established in 1962, the university is now the largest educational institution in Salzburg, with six faculties, 34 departments, and around 90 study programs. Students can study in areas such as natural and life sciences, digital and analytical sciences, social sciences, cultural studies, law, economics, and theology.
6. Vienna University of Technology
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: EU, EEA, and Swiss students are generally exempt from tuition during the non-contributory period; third-country students usually pay €726.72 per semester; all students pay the Students’ Union fee
Technische Universität Wien, also known as the Vienna University of Technology, is a major institution founded in 1815 as the Imperial and Royal Polytechnic Institute of Vienna. True to its name, the school is best known for technology, engineering, computer science, and natural sciences.
As with many Austrian universities, TU Wien is known for its international environment. It has more than 26,000 students, and more than one-third come from outside Austria.
FAQs: Studying in Austria
Are there Tuition-Free Universities in Austria for International Students?
The answer depends on the student’s nationality, university type, and study duration. If you are from an EU or EEA member state, or Switzerland, many public universities in Austria waive tuition during the standard duration of the degree plus two tolerance semesters. However, the Students’ Union fee still applies each semester.
In some special cases, public universities also waive tuition for exchange students, scholarship holders, and students from designated countries. These rules vary by institution, so students should check the university’s official fee page before applying.
Third-country students at public universities usually pay €726.72 per semester in tuition, plus the Students’ Union fee. Universities of applied sciences and private universities may have different tuition rules.
Examples of affordable public universities in Austria include the University of Vienna, Johannes Kepler University Linz, University of Graz, Medical University of Vienna, University of Innsbruck, and the University of Leoben.
Can International Students Study in Austria for Free?
Some international students can study in Austria for free, but not all. Students who qualify for a tuition waiver usually still need to pay the Students’ Union fee each semester. Students who do not qualify for a waiver should budget for tuition, compulsory fees, living costs, health insurance, and residence-related expenses.
Do Universities in Austria Offer English-taught Programs?
Yes. At FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, English-taught semesters are available in all full-time bachelor’s programs, and several master’s programs are also offered in English. At the University of Vienna, most programs are taught in German, but the university offers several English-taught and other foreign-language master’s programs. Students should always confirm the teaching language on the official program page before applying.
We hope that this article on affordable and tuition-free universities in Austria was helpful. To know more information like this, check out the Austria Study Guide and Programs in Europe for International Students!
