Universities in Austria

Austria's university landscape has four sectors: public universities, universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen), private universities and university colleges of teacher education. According to the Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research, more than 390,000 students are registered across these sectors, most of them at one of the 23 public universities. Study in Austria, the national portal run by the OeAD (Austria's agency for education and internationalisation), counts 23 universities, 21 universities of applied sciences, 19 private universities and higher education institutions and 14 university colleges of teacher education, and states that international students make up 30% of the student population.

German is the predominant language of teaching, but more and more programmes are taught in English, especially at master's level.

Types of universities

• Public universities (öffentliche Universitäten): the core of the system, with a focus on research and teaching; they include universities of the arts and medical universities. Since the Universities Act of 2004 they are independent legal entities, financed by the state through three-year performance agreements
• Universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen, FH or UAS): practice-oriented bachelor's and master's programmes, funded according to the number of study places they offer, with an entrance procedure for all applicants
• Private universities and private university colleges: 19 institutions since the winter semester 2023-24, accredited but privately financed, with no federal funding
• University colleges of teacher education (Pädagogische Hochschulen): teacher training, together with the public universities

Degrees and credits

Degrees follow the Bologna structure of bachelor's, master's and doctoral studies with ECTS credits; one year of study corresponds to 60 ECTS. Admission to a master's programme requires a relevant bachelor's degree of at least six semesters (180 ECTS), and doctoral programmes require a master's degree in the same field. Since 2004, all universities and universities of applied sciences have been required to issue a Diploma Supplement.

Admission

Admission is handled by each institution, and applications go directly to the university or university of applied sciences. A foreign school-leaving certificate counts as a general university entrance qualification if it gives access to higher education in the country that issued it; the institution checks this itself. Foreign documents must be submitted in the original with a copy and must be legalised, and documents in languages other than German or English need legalised translations.

At public universities, the application deadlines are 5 September for the winter semester and 5 February for the summer semester. Some programmes, such as architecture, biology, business, computer science, medicine and psychology, may have admission restrictions, with an entrance examination or a selection process. Universities of the arts, private universities and universities of applied sciences run their own entrance procedures, often with tests and interviews, and have different deadlines. For German-taught programmes, universities usually ask for level B2 or C1; admitted students who still need German can attend a University Preparation Programme, which requires at least level A2. Study in Austria lists around 580 programmes taught in English.

Costs and funding

At public universities, EU and EEA students pay no tuition fee within the minimum duration of their programme plus two semesters; after that the fee is 363.36 euros per semester. Students from third countries generally pay 726.72 euros per semester, with some exemptions. All students pay the student union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) of 26.20 euros per semester. Universities of applied sciences may charge tuition fees, and fees at private universities differ from one institution to the next. Non-EU students applying for a residence permit must prove funds for twelve months: in 2026, 722.58 euros per month under the age of 24 (OeAD, checked on 7 October 2026).

Examples from the universities listed

• The University of Vienna, founded in 1365, offers more than 186 degree programmes
• TU Wien, founded in 1815, has more than 26,000 students in 62 degree programmes
• WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) has 33% international students and nine English-taught master's programmes
• The University of Innsbruck, founded in 1669, has 28,000 students, 49.9% of them international
• The University of Graz, founded in 1585, is Austria's second oldest and second largest university
• The mdw (University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna) has over 3,000 students from around 70 countries and 115 programmes; the Mozarteum University in Salzburg teaches all its programmes in German, with an entrance examination
• The University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria offers more than 70 bachelor's and master's programmes, 13 of them taught entirely in English, at four campuses including Wels; Salzburg University of Applied Sciences offers 20 bachelor's and 16 master's programmes
• Modul University Vienna is a private university whose programmes are all taught in English and accredited by AQ Austria

How to choose

• Type of institution: research-based university, university of the arts, practice-oriented university of applied sciences or private university
• Language: German-taught programmes require B2 or C1; check whether your programme is taught in English
• Entrance procedure: arts, medicine and UAS programmes have tests and earlier deadlines, sometimes up to six months before the semester
• Fees: public universities charge low fees, while UAS and private universities set their own
• City: Vienna has the largest choice of institutions; Graz, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Klagenfurt, Linz and Leoben are smaller university cities

Frequently asked questions

Are public universities in Austria free?

For EU and EEA students, there is no tuition fee within the minimum study duration plus two semesters. Students from third countries generally pay 726.72 euros per semester, and all students pay the ÖH fee of 26.20 euros per semester.

What is a university of applied sciences in Austria?

A Fachhochschule offers practice-oriented bachelor's and master's programmes. All applicants go through an entrance procedure, and tuition fees may be charged.

When do I have to apply to an Austrian university?

At public universities, by 5 September for the winter semester and by 5 February for the summer semester. Universities of the arts, universities of applied sciences and private universities set their own, often earlier, deadlines.

Can I study at an Austrian university in English?

Yes. Most programmes are taught in German, but Study in Austria lists around 580 programmes taught in English, many of them at master's level.