Are you planning to enroll in a university in Austria? You are on the right track: the country is an excellent choice for pursuing higher education. Austria is known for its quality of life, and Vienna remains one of the world’s top-ranked cities for liveability. Its location in Central Europe also makes travel across the continent convenient, with landscapes and cultural destinations that change beautifully with every season.
Studying in Austria provides numerous academic and career opportunities to international students, including the opportunity to enroll in renowned universities, apply for funding options, access low-cost education, and more. In the 2023/24 academic year, 387,993 people studied at Austrian higher education institutions, and about 30% of them were international students.
Along with receiving a high-quality education, you may be able to study in Austria with little or no tuition, especially at public universities if you are an EU/EEA student, qualify for a tuition exemption, or receive a scholarship. This article explains the main cost-free and low-cost study options available to international students in Austria. Let’s explore below!
How to Study in Austria for Free
We’ll talk about the application process in this part for overseas students wishing to study in Austria. There are a few steps you need to take to improve your chances of being accepted into an Austrian university.
1. Prepare All the Necessary Requirements Including Supplementary Documents
Admissions requirements vary by institution and program. Public universities typically ask for proof of nationality, an eligible secondary school leaving certificate for bachelor’s admission, a relevant bachelor’s degree of at least 180 ECTS for master’s admission, or a relevant master’s degree for doctoral admission. Many German-taught programs require German language proof, and some programs use entrance exams or interviews.
Aside from the required documents, you may include supplementary credentials if the university allows them. For example, a certificate of German language competency can strengthen your application for German-taught programs. Some universities and programs require German at B2 or C1 level, while English-taught programs set their own English-language requirements.
When it comes to submitting your application, the earlier you do it, the better your chances of getting noticed. Along with sending your application early, make sure that all attached documents are free of errors. Create a checklist of all the things you need to accomplish so you won’t miss anything. If you are applying to multiple universities, organize the requirement lists and be sure to submit them before the deadline.
2. Apply for a Scholarship
Scholarships can make a big difference because tuition is only one part of the cost of studying in Austria. At Austria’s public universities, EU/EEA students generally do not pay tuition during the standard duration of their degree plus two tolerance semesters; after that, a tuition fee applies. Most other third-country students generally pay tuition from the first semester, though exemptions and refunds may be available for specific scholarship holders, exchange students, and students from certain countries.
The good news is that Austria provides financial support options for international students, although fully funded whole-degree scholarships are limited and competitive. A useful place to start is grants.at, Austria’s database for grants and scholarships. For example, female master’s students in computer science can apply for the Helmut Veith Stipend at TU Wien, which provides €7,000 per year and a tuition waiver. Additionally, scholarships are available from the Austrian Development Cooperation for the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management diploma course in Salzburg for students from ADC priority countries and other developing countries.
Austria has several universities and organizations that offer scholarships to international students. Check the eligibility rules, deadlines, and coverage carefully before paying registration fees or sending your application, since some awards cover only tuition, while others also help with living costs.
3. Find an Affordable University
Austria can be expensive, especially in larger cities, so attending an affordable institution can greatly reduce your academic expenses. Public universities are usually the most affordable option. TU Wien, also known as the Vienna University of Technology, for example, charges a tuition fee of €726.72 per semester for many non-EU nationals, plus the compulsory Austrian Student Union fee.
Some of the country’s affordable universities are the University of Vienna, the Medical University of Graz, and Johannes Kepler University Linz. At public universities, exact fees depend on nationality, residence status, study duration, and any exemption. Combining an affordable university with scholarships or tuition exemptions can help you study in Austria at very low cost.
Tuition-free Options for Bachelor’s Studies in Austria
Several bachelor’s degrees at public universities in Austria can be tuition-free for EU/EEA students during the tuition-free period, although all students still pay the compulsory Austrian Student Union fee. FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences is one of the institutions that currently does not charge tuition fees to students. The FHV states that it currently waives tuition fees but reserves the right to charge them in the future; students still pay the Austrian Student Union fee each semester.
Tuition-free education is available to EU/EEA students within the standard study period plus two tolerance semesters at public institutions such as the University of Salzburg, the Medical University of Vienna, the University of Vienna, and many other public universities. Some universities may also remit or reduce tuition for students from designated developing countries or other eligible groups, depending on the institution’s rules.
Tuition-free Options for Master’s Studies in Austria
Austria is also a popular option for master’s and doctoral study because public-university tuition is relatively low compared with many English-speaking destinations.
If you plan to complete an MBA in Austria, applying to the WU Executive Academy of Vienna University of Economics and Business may make you eligible for partial, need-based scholarships or early-bird tuition discounts, but these are not the same as full tuition-free study. Vienna University of Technology has financial support options such as merit scholarships and funding grants, usually with specific eligibility rules.
The University of Klagenfurt offers Technology Scholarships for selected master’s students in technology-related fields. Current official information lists a monthly scholarship of €800 for up to 12 months and a one-time travel-cost lump sum of €25 to €1,100, along with possible tuition support depending on the award conditions.
When compared with many other European and English-speaking destinations, master’s degrees at Austrian public universities can be quite affordable, especially for students who qualify for tuition exemptions or scholarships.
Tuition-free Options for Ph.D. Studies in Austria
Prospective doctoral students can find excellent research opportunities in Austria, but “free” Ph.D. study is usually connected to a funded doctoral position, employment contract, tuition exemption, or scholarship. International applicants should check each university’s doctoral schools, grants.at, and research institute vacancy pages.
International students interested in research in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, and related fields can consider the ISTA PhD program. ISTA does not charge tuition or an application fee for its Ph.D. program, and admitted Ph.D. students receive full financial support through the program. The former IST-BRIDGE program is a postdoctoral fellowship, not a Ph.D. scholarship.
Central European University offers doctoral funding through its financial aid system. Current CEU information lists a doctoral stipend of €2,002 gross per month for up to 48 months; students should check the latest program page for tuition-waiver and health-insurance details.
FAQs: Studying in Austria as an International Student
Are there Opportunities for International Students to Study in Austria?
Renowned academic institutions in Austria can be found in attractive student cities such as Salzburg, Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz, and Vienna. Institutions in Austria offer a wide array of academic degrees at all levels, from undergraduate to graduate study. With that said, Austria can be a strong choice if you are considering higher education in Europe.
A vibrant society and exciting student experiences are only two of the many things this place has to offer. Austria currently has 77 higher education institutions, so there are plenty of options for you to explore and look for programs that best suit your interests.
How Much is the Annual Academic Cost in Austria?
The cost of living in Austria is an important consideration for families and international students. Study in Austria estimates average student living expenses at about €1,300 per month. Tuition at public universities is often low by international standards: many third-country students at public universities pay about €726.72 in tuition per semester, plus the compulsory Austrian Student Union fee, while EU/EEA students usually pay no tuition during the tuition-free period.
For planning purposes, students should budget for tuition, the Austrian Student Union fee, housing, food, transport, health insurance, and residence-permit financial requirements. For a Residence Permit–Student, Austria’s 2026 proof-of-funds amounts are €722.58 per month for students under 24 and €1,308.39 per month for students aged 24 or older, with additional amounts required if rent exceeds the set threshold.
To lower academic costs, international applicants can apply for an extensive number of scholarships. Some public universities grant tuition waivers to students from developing countries or other eligible groups.
It can be challenging to find a fully funded study program in Austria since only exceptional students are offered scholarships. However, if you thoroughly research all the scholarship opportunities and affordable universities, you are likely to find options that work for your budget.
We hope that this article has given you valuable information about studying in Austria. Make sure to also check out the Austria Study Guide and Programs in Europe for International Students to learn more!
