Admission Requirements for Austrian Universities
To be admitted as regular students in Austrian university degree programs, foreign citizens (or stateless people) must meet the following requirements:
- Availability of place: A place must be available in the desired university course.
- High school diploma or equivalent: The applicant must possess a high school diploma that satisfies an Austrian Matura examination certification. Alternatively, a proof of satisfactory completion of a minimum three-year course of study at another institution certified to offer post-secondary education can be submitted.
- Certification requirements: The certification must meet the requirements of the desired course of study in the country where it was acquired. If the Austrian course of study is not offered in the country of residence, a similar course of study can be presented as proof of eligibility.
- German language knowledge: Sufficient knowledge of German is required, and if necessary, an examination must be taken to demonstrate proficiency.
Application Deadlines:
The application deadline is every year by 5th September or 5th February for the following semester.
Exceptions:
- Foreigners applying to Austrian universities of the arts follow the same application periods as Austrian residents. Admission is based on the entrance examination.
- EU and EEA citizens have the same application periods as Austrian residents.
Documents Required:
- Passport, identity card, or proof of citizenship with an official identification containing a photo.
- A-levels, high school diploma, or equivalent certification.
- Transcript with grades from the last school year.
- Filled-out forms, including application form for admission, registration form, form for statistics, student document of identification with photograph attached, form for continuation, and a second photograph.
- Bank receipt indicating payment of the per-semester tuition fee, if applicable.
- All original documents must be presented along with a German translation that was authenticated in the originating country and authenticated again by the Austrian ambassador in that country (unless public authentication is recognized by Austria due to treaties).
Admission Restrictions:
Admission restrictions may apply to certain programs, including medicine, other medical courses, psychology, veterinary medicine, dentistry, specific bachelor studies, and courses of study in high demand.
Student Fees:
Tuition fees vary depending on the applicant’s nationality. For EU/EEA citizens, permanent residents, and those enjoying equal rights as Austrians, the fee is €363.36 per semester. For third-country students, the fee is €726.72 per semester.
Medical and Student Insurance:
Options for medical insurance include being co-insured with parents or spouse or opting for voluntary self-insurance. Student insurance is available at a discounted rate if no other protection is available.
Working as a Student in Austria:
Third-country citizens need an employment permit to work, including marginal employment. An employment permit for students is available without a labor market test, and companies can apply for the permit on their behalf.
Graduates can change their residence permit from “Students” to the Red-White-Red Card for a one-time one-year extension, allowing them to search for a job or start a business.
Please note that it is essential to contact individual universities for further information as admission procedures and requirements may vary.