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Studying in Austria

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Requirements for the Admission to Austrian Universities

The following requirements must be fulfilled for the matriculation of a foreign citizen (or a stateless person) as a regular student in Austrian university degree programmes:

  • A place is available at the university for the desired course of study.
  • The applicant has an A-level or high school diploma [Reifeprüfungszeugnis], that can be considered equivalent to an Austrian Matura examination certification, or can furnish proof of completion of a three-year (minimum) study at another certified post-secondary educational institution.
  • The certification must be sufficient for acceptance to the desired course of study [Studienrichtung] at a university in that country in which it was acquired. Any study-related requirements (entrance examination) must be fulfilled in the country in which the A-level or high school diploma was issued.
  • If the desired course of study in Austria is not offered in the home country, then proof of next closest course of study is to be furnished. Only if the country does not have a university [Universität] does this proof not need to be submitted.
  • In addition, the applicant must have sufficient German knowledge. If necessary, an examination is to be taken.
The Federal Ministry of Science and Research [Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft und Forschung] provides information on the recognition of diplomas, certificates and examinations [Anerkennung von Reifeprüfungszeugnissen und Prüfungen].
Deadline:

Lately to the 1st of September or the 1st of February every year for the following semester.

Exceptions:

To foreign citizens who are on an equal footing to Austrians, the same application periods apply as to residents.

EU and EEA citizens who are authorised for the corresponding study in the country where they received university level entrance examination certification are on an equal footing. They become certified in Austria without regard to placement quotas and deadlines for foreigners, and are in this connection on an equal basis with Austrians.

At the universities of the arts [Universität der Künste] the same application periods apply to foreigners as to Austrian residents, and admission is based on the entrance examination.

Please note: Only those foreigners who come to Austria for a short time in the context of a LLP/Erasmus programme (and thus do not intend to complete an entire course of study) do not need to take an entrance examination.

Responsible authority:

The respective university (the decision is made by the vice chancellor).
Detailed information (in English and German) about the universities and universities of the arts can be found on the pages of the Federal Ministry of Science and Research [Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft und Forschung].

Documents to be presented:
  • Passport, identity card or proof of citizenship in combination with an official identification with photo [amtlicher Lichtbildausweis]
  • A-levels, high school diploma or equivalent certification
  • Transcript with grades from the last school year
  • Various filled-out forms (available at the registry offices of the respective universities):
    • Application form for admission
    • Registration form
    • Form for statistics
    • Student document of identification with photograph attached
    • Form for continuation
  • Second photograph
  • Bank receipt indicating payment of the per semester tuition fee [Studienbeitrag] if the applicant is not otherwise exempt
Important:

All documents are to be submitted in the original and in a German translation which was publicly authenticated in the originating country and was last authenticated by the Austrian Representation Agency [Österreichische Vertretungsbehörde] in that country. The last authentication is not necessary in those countries whose public authentication is recognised by Austria because of treaty agreements. Please enquire with the respective university [Universität] whether or not a final authentication is necessary.

Further information concerning transfrontier recognition in the field of higher education can be obtained at the National Academic Recognition and Information Centre (NARIC) [NARIC Austria].

Access restrictions

Access restrictions may be in effect for the following courses of study:

  • Medicine
  • Psychology
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Dentistry

The vice-chancellor of the respective university decides on the type of admission procedure. This can be implemented either before the studies are begun or within or after the first two semesters.

Detailed information can be obtained from the respective universities.

Please note: EU and EEA citizens are in principle on an equal footing with Austrian citizens.


Tuition Fee

In summer semester 2009 a revised system of tuition fees came into force. Degree programme students [Ordentliche Studierende] who do not exceed the minimum period of study [Studiendauer] by more than two semesters are exempt from tuition fees for enrolment [Studienzulassung] or continued study [Studienfortsetzung] at an Austrian university [Universität].

This exemption applies – in addition to Austrian students – to the following groups of students in particular:

  • Students from other EU states
  • Foreign students from states with which Austria has signed international agreements granting citizens of such countries the same access to the labour market as Austrians
  • Students who are third country nationals with the right to long-term resident status in Austria pursuant to Directive 2003/109/EC
  • Students who have been recognised as refugees under the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees
  • Students from least developed countries as defined by the Decree on Tuition Fees [Studienbeitragsverordnung 2004]


Important:

Students who are not exempt from the payment of tuition fees or who have no right to apply for exemption from tuition fees, must continue to pay them. Tuition is to be paid only once in each term, even if several courses of study are followed at the same time.

If you are simultaneously attending a university and a speciality college which charges tuition, the amount is to be paid twice.

Amount of tuition

363.36 Euro per semester

In addition to the tuition the following fees are also to be paid:

  • Student fee (Austrian Student Union fee): 15.50 Euro per semester
  • Insurance premium: 0.36 Euro per semester

A request for a scholarship grant [Studienbeihilfe] is possible for EU or EEA citizens under certain conditions: e.g. if at least one parent works in Austria or the student him or herself has been employed for at least two years in Austria and the study can be regarded as further training for that job.


Health Insurance

Co-Insurance

If you fulfil the prerequisites for co-insurance (under 27, proof of achievement, etc.), then you can apply to be co-insured with your parents (also grandparents or stepparents) who are insured in Austria, or with your spouse. Whether co-insurance is possible with family members in the country of origin must be clarified with the social insurance system in that country.

Student Insurance

If no other insurance protection is available, then the student has the possibility to insure him/herself at a preferential rate, currently 23.84 Euro per month.

Prerequisites:
  • Total income of less than 8,000 Euro per year
  • Adherence to the duration requirement (minimum period plus one semester per study period plus four semesters)
  • At most two course of study changes
  • No completed course of study

Voluntary Self-Insurance

If none of the above-mentioned possibilities is applicable, you can insure yourself with voluntary self-insurance. In order not to be immediately classified at the maximum rate, you should apply for reduction of the fee basis directly with the application for voluntary self-insurance [freiwillige Selbstversicherung].

Important:

All these insurance possibilities are only available by applying to a health insurance institution [Krankenversicherungsanstalt]. They must be renewed after each break during the study (e.g. in the case of obligatory insurance with a holiday job).

Further information is available e.g. from the Vienna District Health Insurance Fund [Wiener Gebietskrankenkasse].

Please note: There is detailed information in the Internet under Austrian Student Union (ÖH) [Österreichische Hochschülerschaft (ÖH)]. There you can also get the Austrian Student Union social brochure and the brochure, "Studying and Working".

Further information for all students, including those from non-EEA countries, is available at the Austrian Academic Guest Service (OEAD) [Österreichischer Akademischer Gästedienst (OEAD)].

Specialised Colleges

Specialised College education courses [Fachhochschul-Studiengänge] were created as an independent supplement and alternative to the existing courses of study at universities. Particular features of this type of education are:

  • Admission regulations specific to individual colleges (FH)
  • Profession-oriented and experience-oriented organisation
  • Short study duration (two to four years, obligatory attendance)
  • Award of an academic degree to the graduates
  • These courses of study are generally privately subsidised

Students at a college are on an equal footing with students at universities.


Measures concerning academic subsidies [Studienförderung] or subsidies of studies abroad also apply to students at colleges.


Please note: Since 1996 courses of study have also been offered for working people (work and study at the same time in contrast to full-time study).

The Federal Ministry of Science and Research [Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft und Forschung], as well as the College Council (FHR) [Fachhochschulrat (FHR)] offer detailed information and all important addresses concerning this topic.

Link to the Specialised Colleges

Status: 1.1.2009