As one of the most livable countries in the world, Austria is renowned for its higher education. This claim is strengthened by so many things, most notably the nation’s intellectual history. After all, its universities have produced the likes of Sigmund Freud and Erwin Schroedinger, 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. More than just being world-renowned, some of them are quite affordable too. Listed below are some of the cheapest universities in Austria for international students.
Affordable and Free Universities in Austria for International Students
1. FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences
Founded in 1989 as the Technical School of Vorarlberg, the university has progressed into an institution that provides practice-linked degrees. To date, its students major in bachelor’s and master’s programs that focus on Business, Design, Engineering, and Social Work.
FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences is 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
The university, which is also known as BOKU, was founded in 1872 as a research center for renewable resources. Currently, it specializes in the fields of Engineering, Natural Science, Biotechnology, Economics, and Social Science.
The strong BOKU student population is immersed in the school’s wide array of bachelor’s and MSc programs. A good percentage comes from foreign backgrounds, who have taken hold of the school’s cheap tuition and many grant offerings.
3. University of Vienna
Known in German as the Universität Wien, this Vienna-based institution is the oldest in the German-speaking world. The University of Vienna is one of the cheapest universities in Austria for international students.
Founded in the year 1365 by Duke Rudolph, it is modeled after the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris. Given its long and illustrious history, it is considered one of the most reputable European universities – especially in the field of Humanities.
The university offers a wide selection of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. While most lessons are taught in German, some of them are offered in English to attract students from all around the world. This technique has been more than effective, with around 30% of the university’s student population coming from various parts of the globe.
4. Medical University of Vienna
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: free to EU, EEA, Swiss, and students from developing countries | around € 726/sem (third country)
The Medizinische Universität Wien, a university in Austria, was established in 2004 as the successor of the University of Vienna’s Faculty of Medicine. Despite its year of founding, its roots make it the second-oldest medical faculty after the Charles University of Prague.
As one of the best medical schools in Europe, it is known for its competitive admission – accepting only about 9% of its 8,000 applicants to its programs. These are Medicine, Dentistry, an MA in Medical Informatics, and a Ph.D. in Applied Medical Science.
Despite having only a small population of students, the Medical University of Vienna is home to a lot of foreigners. In fact, 30% of its population comes from various countries all around the world.
5. University of Salzburg
The University of Salzburg, which is based in the fourth-largest city in Austria, was founded in the year 1622. It is named after its founder, the Prince-Archbishop Paris Lodron.
Closed in 1810 and re-established in the year 1962, the university is home to thousands of students coming from across the globe. These international students enroll at the university to study in the following fields of study: Law, Cultural and Social Science, Natural Science, and Catholic Theology.
6. Vienna University of Technology
Technische Universität Wien, also known as the Vienna University of Technology, is a major institution founded in the year 1815. True to its name, the school is best known for its computer science, engineering, and natural science courses.
As with most Austrian universities, TU Wien is known for its conducive environment for international students. To date, 30% of the school’s 10,400+ students come from various foreign backgrounds.
7. University of Applied Arts Vienna
We end our list of free universities in Austria with the University of Applied Arts Vienna. Known colloquially as the Die Angewandte, the University of Applied Arts Vienna is an institution that specializes in the arts. Founded in 1867 and granted university status in 1970, the predecessor of the Vienna School of Arts & Crafts has produced many influential artists throughout the years.
Although the University of Applied Arts Vienna only has a small number of students, 15% of them come from 70+ countries all around the world. Overseas students are given the opportunity to major in Bachelor’s degrees such as Art Education, Cross-Disciplinary Strategies, Language Arts, and TransArts. Available Master’s degrees include Architecture, Social Design, and Arts & Culture Studies.
FAQs: Studying in Austria
Are there Tuition-Free Universities in Austria for International Students?
The short answer is yes and no. It will really depend on the student’s nationality. If you are from the EU or EEA member state, then many public universities in Austria will not charge you for tuition.
In some special cases, some public universities also provide free tuition such as being a participant in an exchange program, scholars, and students of certain countries. However, these vary per institution, so, it is recommended to directly check with the university to see if they offer such exemptions.
Students from third countries need to pay a small amount of tuition, which is around €730 per semester for public universities and much higher costs for universities of applied sciences and private universities.
Here are some of the free public universities in Austria: the University of Vienna, Johannes Kepler University Linz, University of Graz, Medical University of Vienna, University of Innsbruck, and the University of Leoben.
Check Also: Programs in Europe for International Students
Can International Students Study in Austria for Free?
Yes, international students can study in Austria for free. As mentioned above, if you fit into the free tuition category for international students, then you are exempted from paying tuition. If you are not, then you have to pay €730 per semester, but that can be easily paid by working part-time during the academic semester and full-time during the break. This will definitely help to lower your academic costs while studying in Austria.
What are the General Requirements to Study in Austria?
Undergraduate students need a high school certificate equivalent to the Austrian Matura Exam Certification. As for graduate applicants, a bachelor’s degree in a related field is necessary. Sufficient German knowledge is required as well.
Other vital application documents include the following: transcript of records with grades , accomplished application forms, passport or identity card, and ID photos.
Do Universities in Austria Offer English-taught Programs?
Yes. At the FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, one semester of undergraduate education is taught in English. Some of its Master’s degree courses are delivered in English as well.
At the University of Vienna, students can take hold of Master’s degrees that are fully taught in English. Some other courses are taught in English as well.
We hope that this article on the free universities in Austria was helpful. To know more information like this, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students!
