Art History Schools and Programs in Austria

Art History Studies in Austria

Town hall in Vienna, Austria

In Austria, art history (Kunstgeschichte) is a university subject in the humanities. Students learn how art of all periods and genres developed, together with the practices and methods of the discipline. Degrees follow the bachelor's, master's and doctorate structure with ECTS credits, and teaching is in German.

SpainExchange lists one school in Austria for this subject: TU Wien in Vienna. At TU Wien, art history is taught as part of architecture. Full art history degrees are offered by comprehensive universities such as the Universität Wien and the Universität Innsbruck.

How the degree is organised

The bachelor's degree takes six semesters and 180 ECTS credits. At the Universität Innsbruck, the Bachelor of Arts in Art History belongs to the Faculty of Philosophy and History and is taught in German. It covers art of all periods and genres together with the methods and practice of art history, with a large part of the programme devoted to research methods.

The Universität Wien offers art history at bachelor's, master's and doctoral level. Its institute is organised into fields that range from late antique and medieval, early modern and modern art to Central European art, Byzantine art, the history of Islamic art and the art history of Asia. Innsbruck graduates can continue with a master's programme in Art Science.

For a master's degree, applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree of at least six semesters (180 ECTS credits).

Art history at TU Wien

At TU Wien, the Institute of History of Art, Building Archaeology and Restoration combines three sections: history of art, building archaeology and research, and restoration, monument preservation and building in existing structures. Its main aim is to show the relationships between architecture and art-historical movements and their meaning today, and it also teaches methods for surveying, analysing and documenting existing buildings.

Students meet these subjects in TU Wien's German-taught bachelor's programme in Architecture (six semesters, 180 ECTS credits), whose historical and theoretical foundations include the history of architecture and art, the history of construction and the conservation of historic buildings. The programme has 625 study places, so it suits students who want to combine architectural design with history rather than study art history alone.

Admission and language

Applicants with a foreign school leaving certificate need a certificate equivalent to the Austrian one, legalised documents and proof of German. Some universities ask for level B2 and others for C1. University Preparation Programmes offer intensive German courses for applicants who have already been admitted. Latin is often required as well: Innsbruck lists a supplementary exam in Latin, and the Universität Wien has a Latin requirement for its bachelor's programme. At universities, applications for the winter semester close on 5 September and for the summer semester on 5 February.

Costs and residence

All students pay the student union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) of €26.20 per semester. At public universities, students from the EU and EEA pay no tuition within the minimum study period plus two semesters, while students from other countries with a student residence permit generally pay €726.72 per semester, according to Study in Austria.

Students from outside the EU who stay longer than six months need a Residence Permit – Student, usually applied for at the Austrian embassy or consulate in their country of residence. For 2026, applicants must show funds of €722.58 per month if they are under 24 and €1,308.39 per month from the age of 24, for twelve months in advance.

Careers

According to the Universität Innsbruck, an art history bachelor's degree prepares graduates for work in art and culture, such as museums, exhibitions and monument preservation, as well as in education, the media, and politics and business, for example tourism and cultural management.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study art history in English in Austria?

The art history degrees described here are taught in German. The Universität Innsbruck states that German is the language of instruction for its bachelor's programme.

Do I need Latin to study art history in Austria?

Often, yes. The Universität Innsbruck lists a supplementary exam in Latin, and the Universität Wien has a Latin requirement for its bachelor's programme.

How is art history taught at TU Wien?

TU Wien teaches art history within architecture, through its Institute of History of Art, Building Archaeology and Restoration. A full art history degree is offered at comprehensive universities such as the Universität Wien and the Universität Innsbruck.

How long does an art history bachelor's take?

Six semesters and 180 ECTS credits, as at the Universität Innsbruck.