Study in Vienna, Austria

About Vienna

Vienna (Wien) is the capital of Austria and by far its largest city: according to the city's statistics office, 2,040,914 people lived there on 1 January 2026. The city sits on the Danube in the east of the country, close to the borders with Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary, and it combines imperial architecture and a lively cultural scene with the services of a modern capital.

Students choose Vienna for its large public universities, its specialised schools for music, art and international affairs, its English-taught private programmes and, of course, for learning German. The city is also home to many international organisations, which makes it attractive for students of diplomacy and international relations.

Studying in Vienna

Our directory lists 12 schools in Vienna, most of them universities. The large public universities include the University of Vienna (Universität Wien), TU Wien for technology and engineering, and the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (WU Vienna) for economics and business. WU reports 21,833 students, 36% of them international, and more than 240 partner universities. For the arts there are the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and the mdw – Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, where applicants register for an entrance examination.

The Diplomatic Academy of Vienna has trained diplomats since 1754 and today offers postgraduate programmes such as the Master of Advanced International Studies (MAIS) and master's degrees in environmental technology and international affairs and in digital international affairs. MODUL University Vienna is a private university that teaches all its programmes in English; they are accredited by AQ Austria, the national quality assurance agency.

For German, the directory lists several language schools. The abc Bildungszentrum has run courses since 1988 and prepares students for the ÖSD exams, and DeutschAkademie Wien offers ÖSD and telc exam preparation. Most bachelor's programmes at public universities are taught in German, so many international students start with a language course.

Cost of living for students

Public universities in Austria charge low fees. Students from the EU and EEA pay no tuition as long as they stay within the minimum duration of their programme plus two semesters, while students from other countries generally pay €726.72 per semester. Every student also pays the students' union fee of €26.20 per semester. Study in Austria, the official portal of the OeAD agency, estimates average student living costs in Austria at about €1,300 a month, including €450 to €700 for a room in a student residence, and notes that housing in Vienna is more expensive than in smaller towns. University canteens (Mensa) help keep food costs down.

Students from outside the EU need a residence permit for students. For 2026 they must prove funds of €722.58 a month if they are under 24 and €1,308.39 a month from the age of 24, for twelve months in advance. Courses that only teach a language do not qualify for this permit. In most cases you apply at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence, and the authority decides within 90 days.

Getting around and daily life

Vienna has a dense network of underground lines, trams and buses run by Wiener Linien; a single ticket costs around €3.20, according to Study in Austria, and students get discounts on public transport and in many museums, theatres and cinemas. The city centre and the inner districts are easy to explore on foot or by bike. Vienna has a continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers.

Frequently asked questions

How much are tuition fees at public universities in Vienna?

EU and EEA students pay no tuition within the minimum study period plus two semesters. Students from other countries generally pay €726.72 per semester, and all students pay a students' union fee of €26.20 per semester.

Can I study in English in Vienna?

Yes, at some schools. MODUL University Vienna teaches all its programmes in English, and the Diplomatic Academy offers English-taught postgraduate programmes. Most bachelor's programmes at public universities are in German.

How much money do I need for an Austrian student residence permit?

For 2026, students under 24 must prove €722.58 a month and students aged 24 or over €1,308.39 a month, for twelve months in advance.

Can I get a student residence permit for a German course?

No. According to the OeAD, a course that serves only to learn a language does not qualify for the student residence permit.