Architecture Schools and Programs in Austria

Architecture Studies in Austria

Die Neue Burg, Vienna

In Austria, architecture is taught at public universities of technology, comprehensive universities and universities of the arts. Programmes follow the bachelor's and master's structure with ECTS credits, and most are taught in German. Places are limited, so most applicants go through a selection procedure before they can enrol.

SpainExchange lists three schools in Austria for architecture: two in Vienna and one in Innsbruck. They are TU Wien, the Universität Innsbruck and the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien), one of Austria's universities of the arts.

How the degree is organised

The first cycle is a bachelor's degree of six semesters and 180 ECTS credits. At TU Wien and the Universität Innsbruck it leads to a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and is taught in German. TU Wien describes the design of buildings, spaces and cities as the central focus, complemented by structural design, building physics, planning law, and the history and theory of architecture. In Innsbruck, design is developed in practical design studios.

The second cycle is a master's degree. At the Universität Innsbruck it lasts four semesters (120 ECTS credits) and leads to the title Diplom-Ingenieurin or Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.). The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna offers a three-year Bachelor Program in Architecture (BArch) and a two-year Master Program (MArch). Its teaching is built around five research platforms, with design projects at the centre.

A bachelor's degree alone does not lead to the protected title of architect. According to TU Wien, anyone who wants to work as a licensed architect must complete a master's degree and meet the national requirements of the Chamber of Civil Engineers.

Admission and language

Architecture is one of the subjects in which Austrian universities may restrict admission. The procedures differ by school:

• TU Wien has 625 places in its bachelor's programme and admits students through a two-stage selection process; no specific prior knowledge is required
• The Universität Innsbruck offers 340 places for 2026-27. Applicants register online, submit a letter of motivation built around six architectural images and pay a €50 fee; a written entrance exam is held only if more than 340 people register
• The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna selects students through an entrance examination with set exercises, a portfolio, a letter of intent and interviews with the admission jury, and asks for German and English at level B2

Applicants with a foreign school leaving certificate need a certificate that is 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. The Universität Innsbruck also lists a supplementary exam in descriptive geometry (Darstellende Geometrie) among the requirements for its bachelor's programme.

For a master's degree, applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree of at least six semesters (180 ECTS credits). Taught-in-English options are limited; TU Wien, for example, teaches its master's programme in Building Science and Environment in English.

Costs

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. Some scholarship holders and exchange students are exempt.

Visa and residence

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. The authority has 90 days to decide. Everyone who moves to Austria must register their address within three working days.

Where to study architecture in Austria

• TU Wien, Vienna: Faculty of Architecture and Planning at Karlsplatz; BSc in Architecture, German-taught master's in Architecture and an English-taught master's in Building Science and Environment
• Universität Innsbruck: Faculty of Architecture with a BSc (180 ECTS) and a master's degree leading to Dipl.-Ing. (120 ECTS)
• Academy of Fine Arts Vienna: BArch and MArch at the Institute for Art and Architecture, with admission by entrance examination

Careers

Graduates work in architecture and planning offices, in public administration and building authorities, in the construction and planning departments of companies, and in project development and consulting.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study architecture in English in Austria?

The bachelor's programmes at TU Wien and the Universität Innsbruck are taught in German. Some master's programmes are in English, such as TU Wien's Building Science and Environment.

Is there an entrance exam for architecture?

Usually there is a selection procedure. TU Wien uses a two-stage process, Innsbruck holds a written exam only if applicants exceed its 340 places, and the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna runs an entrance examination with a portfolio and interviews.

How much does it cost to study architecture at a public university?

EU and EEA students pay only the €26.20 student union fee per semester within the standard period. Students from other countries generally pay €726.72 per semester plus that fee.

Is a bachelor's degree enough to work as an architect?

No. According to TU Wien, a licensed architect needs a master's degree and must meet the requirements of the Chamber of Civil Engineers.