Study in Austria — universities, campus life and student cities

Austria flag Sukhada's Study Destination Guide

Study In Austria

Everything you need to know about tuition, cost of living, post-study work rights and top universities in Austria — backed by Sukhada's counselling team.

Austria at a Glance

Partner Universities 12+
Region Europe
Cost Tier Moderate
Post-Study Work 12 months
› Study Destinations › Austria

Why Study in Austria?

Austria offers low public university fees and a high quality of life, with Vienna often ranked among the world's most liveable cities. It is especially strong in music, arts and technical fields.

  • Low fees at public universities
  • Vienna ranks among the most liveable cities
  • Strong arts, music and technical programmes

Quick Facts

Europe Moderate cost tier Not specified PSW 12 months
Talk to a Counsellor

Key Numbers

12+ Partner Universities
Moderate Cost Tier
Europe Region
12 months Post-Study Work
36 Programmes
1 Universities with Scholarships

What Are the Most Popular Courses in Austria?

Our partner universities in Austria offer 36 programmes. The largest subject areas are Natural Sciences, Business & Management, Data Science & AI.

A programme can appear in more than one subject area.

Austria at a Glance

Official Name Republic of Austria
Capital Vienna
Population 9.2M
Currency Euro (EUR)
Official Language(s) German
Also Spoken English
Calling Code +43
Region Europe
Economy Developed
English Proficiency High

How Does the Education System Work in Austria?

A bachelor's degree in Austria usually takes 3 years and a master's takes 2 years. The main intakes are October, March.

Bachelor's 3 years
Master's 2 years
MBA 1–2 years
PhD 3–4 years
Academic Year Starts October
Intakes October, March

Grading system

1 (best) to 5 (fail)

Accepted tests

IELTS/TOEFL; German for German-taught courses

What Is the Application Timeline for Austria?

Most students start 10–12 months before their intake. Exact deadlines vary by university and programme.

  1. ResearchShortlist universities in Austria that match your budget, course and career goals.
  2. ShortlistNarrow down to 4–6 programmes and note each deadline for your intake.
  3. TestsBook the tests your universities ask for: IELTS/TOEFL; German for German-taught courses.
  4. ApplySubmit applications with transcripts, SOP, LORs and test scores.
  5. OfferAccept your offer and receive the Admission letter.
  6. VisaApply for the Residence Permit – Student as soon as your documents are ready.
  7. AccommodationBook on-campus or private housing before you travel.
  8. TravelArrange flights, forex and insurance, and carry original documents.
  9. EnrolComplete orientation, local registration and course enrolment.

How Much Does It Cost to Study in Austria?

Typical bachelor's tuition in Austria: About EUR 1,500/yr at public universities. Master's tuition: About EUR 1,500/yr public; EUR 10,000+ private. Living costs, covering rent, food and transport: EUR 1,000–1,300/month.

Bachelor's Tuition About EUR 1,500/yr at public universities
Master's Tuition About EUR 1,500/yr public; EUR 10,000+ private
Living Cost EUR 1,000–1,300/month
Proof of Funds Monthly amount set yearly (lower for students under 24)

Monthly budget breakdown (Vienna)

Rent (shared) EUR 450/month
Food & groceries EUR 250/month
Local transport EUR 40/month
Utilities & phone EUR 80/month
Personal & leisure EUR 80/month
Estimated Total EUR 900/month (approx.)

Accommodation options

On-campus housing EUR 350/month
Shared apartment EUR 450/month
Private studio EUR 800/month
Homestay EUR 550/month

Figures are indicative ranges for international students and change every year. Your counsellor will confirm exact fees for your shortlisted courses.

How to Get a Austria Student Visa

Indian students apply for the Residence Permit – Student after receiving the Admission letter. Visa fee: About EUR 160. Typical processing time: Up to 3 months.

Visa Type Residence Permit – Student
Visa Fee About EUR 160
Processing Time Up to 3 months
Interview Possible

Step-by-step visa process

  1. Secure your admission Apply to your chosen university and accept the offer. You will receive your Admission letter, which your visa application depends on.
  2. Arrange proof of funds Monthly amount set yearly (lower for students under 24). Keep recent bank statements, loan sanction letters or sponsor documents ready.
  3. Prepare your documents Collect your passport, academic records, English test scores, Rental contract or proof of accommodation, Health insurance.
  4. Submit the visa application Apply for the Residence Permit – Student and pay the fee: About EUR 160.
  5. Biometrics and interview Give biometrics if requested. Visa interview: Possible.
  6. Get your decision and travel Typical processing time: Up to 3 months. Once approved, book your travel and complete any local registration after arrival.

Can You Work in Austria During and After Studies?

Part-time Work Up to 20 hrs/week
Work During Breaks Within 20 hrs/week limit
Post-Study Work Job-seeker residence for up to 12 months
After a Bachelor's 12 months
After a Master's 12 months
PR Pathway Red-White-Red Card, then permanent residence
Typical PR Timeline 5 years

Immigration rules change often — always confirm on the official government website before you apply.

Documents You'll Typically Need

Exact document requirements vary by university and visa category. This is a general checklist — we'll confirm the precise list for your course.

Checklist

Academic transcripts & certificates
Valid passport
English proficiency score (IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / DET)
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
Proof of funds / financial statements
Resume / CV (for PG programs)
Offer letter (once admitted)
Rental contract or proof of accommodation
Health insurance

What Is the Weather Like in Austria?

Continental: cold snowy winters and warm summers. Summers: Warm, 22–30°C. Winters: Cold and snowy.

Average temperatures in Vienna

January -1°C to 4°C
April 7°C to 16°C
July 17°C to 27°C
October 8°C to 15°C

How Do Students Open a Bank Account in Austria?

Open an account with passport, residence permit and registration (Meldezettel).

Popular banks for students

Erste Bank Raiffeisen Bank Austria

Documents usually needed

Passport
Residence permit
Meldezettel
Student ID

Is Austria Safe for International Students?

Safety: Very high. Healthcare: Excellent.

Health Insurance Yes
Typical Insurance Cost About EUR 70/month (student self-insurance)

Common insurance options

ÖGK (public health insurance) Private student plans

Safety tips

  • Register your address within 3 days
  • Use the semester ticket for transport
  • Save local emergency numbers on your phone
  • Keep digital copies of your passport, visa and admission letter

What Is the Job Market Like in Austria?

Graduate job demand in Austria is moderate. Entry-level salaries are roughly EUR 38,000–45,000/yr, rising to about EUR 50,000–65,000/yr with experience.

Top hiring sectors

Engineering High demand
Tourism Medium demand
IT Medium demand

Skills in demand

Engineering Music Tourism

Salary figures are indicative gross annual ranges and vary by city, role and employer.

What Is Student Life Like in Austria?

Formal and cultured, with coffee-house traditions and classical music.

Student life

  • Opera and concerts
  • Skiing
  • Coffee houses

Major religions

Christianity (Catholic) Islam

Indian community

Community Size About 30,000 people of Indian origin
Indian Food & Groceries Available in Vienna

Which Scholarships Can Indian Students Get for Austria?

Well-known options for Austria include OeAD scholarships, Ernst Mach Grant, University merit scholarships. Eligibility and deadlines change every year, so check the official page before applying.

OeAD scholarships Amounts vary; check the official page for current details
Ernst Mach Grant Amounts vary; check the official page for current details
University merit scholarships Amounts vary; check the official page for current details

Scholarships for Austria

Our team tracks live scholarship listings across 150+ university and government portals. Here are the common categories students in Austria typically qualify for — talk to a counsellor for current deadlines and amounts.

All Levels Merit-Based

Merit Scholarships

Awarded by universities based on academic performance
Austria
UG / PG Need-Based

Need-Based Financial Aid

Partial tuition waivers based on demonstrated financial need
Austria
PG / PhD Government

Government & Institutional Grants

Country and institution-run funding programs for international students
Austria
All Levels Sukhada

Sukhada Partner Discounts

Fee-waivers and priority processing through our university partnerships
Austria

Partner Universities in Austria

We work directly with 12 verified universities across Austria — browse the full list and filter by course, budget and intake.

View All 12+

Top-ranked universities in Austria

University of Vienna Vienna · Est. 1365
QS #152
QS #197
Vienna University of Technology Vienna · Est. 1815 · $ 800–25,000/yr
QS #197
Central European University Vienna · Est. 1991 · EUR 800–25,000/yr
QS #239
Universität Innsbruck Innsbruck · Est. 1669 · EUR 800–25,000/yr
QS #350
University of Innsbruck Innsbruck · Est. 1669 · EUR 800–25,000/yr
QS #350
Graz University of Technology Graz · Est. 1811 · EUR 800–25,000/yr
QS #427
TU Graz - Graz University of Technology Graz · Est. 1811 · EUR 800–25,000/yr
QS #427

Frequently Asked Questions

Typical tuition for international students in Austria: About EUR 1,500/yr at public universities for a bachelor's degree and About EUR 1,500/yr public; EUR 10,000+ private for a master's. Living costs: EUR 1,000–1,300/month, depending on the city.

The visa you need is the Residence Permit – Student, and the application is based on the Admission letter. Visa fee: About EUR 160. Typical processing time: Up to 3 months.

Monthly amount set yearly (lower for students under 24). The exact amount is revised from time to time, so confirm it with the official immigration website before applying.

Student work rules in Austria: Up to 20 hrs/week.

Post-study work in Austria: Job-seeker residence for up to 12 months. Long-term settlement route: Red-White-Red Card, then permanent residence.

Safety in Austria: Very high. Healthcare: Excellent.

Yes. Typical cost: About EUR 70/month (student self-insurance).

Graduate job demand in Austria is moderate, led by Engineering, Tourism, IT. Entry-level salaries are roughly EUR 38,000–45,000/yr.

About 30,000 people of Indian origin. Indian food: Available in Vienna.

The main intakes in Austria are October, March. A bachelor's degree usually takes 3 years and a master's takes 2 years.

IELTS/TOEFL; German for German-taught courses. Minimum scores differ by university and course, so check each programme page.

We currently work directly with 12 verified universities in Austria, spanning a range of budgets and course levels.

Ready to start your journey to Austria?

Book a free session with a Sukhada counsellor — no obligation, no pressure, just a clear plan for Austria.

Free Counselling Zero Hidden Charges 94% Visa Success 12,000+ Students Guided
Handpicked For You

Top Universities Worldwide

A closer look at some of the institutions our students are applying to right now.

United States flag United States Cambridge
  • IntakesFall and Spring
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20 hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, United States Est. 1861
QS WORLD#1
Annual Tuition US$66,720 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 93%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #4
Employer Reputation
100/100 #2
Faculty / Student
100/100 #16
Citations / Faculty
100/100 #7
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #63
Intl. Students
91.6/100 #153
Intl. Student Diversity
92.3/100 #130
Intl. Research Network
94.1/100 #98
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #7
Sustainability
93.8/100 #33
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-C4CA
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom London
  • IntakesSeptember
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study WorkUp to 2 years (Graduate visa)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Imperial College London

London, United Kingdom Est. 1907
QS WORLD#2
Annual Tuition £42,700 – £58,600 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 94%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
99.6/100 #22
Employer Reputation
100/100 #9
Faculty / Student
99.3/100 #42
Citations / Faculty
95/100 #69
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #74
Intl. Students
100/100 #35
Intl. Student Diversity
100/100 #22
Intl. Research Network
97.5/100 #28
Employment Outcomes
95.9/100 #68
Sustainability
98.3/100 #7
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-C81E
United States flag United States Stanford
  • IntakesFall and Spring
  • Visa Success82
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Stanford University

Stanford, United States Est. 1885
QS WORLD#2
Annual Tuition USD67,731 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 90%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #5
Employer Reputation
100/100 #3
Faculty / Student
100/100 #17
Citations / Faculty
99.7/100 #24
Intl. Faculty
94.2/100 #188
Intl. Students
73.5/100 #261
Intl. Student Diversity
76.1/100 #230
Intl. Research Network
96.5/100 #49
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #2
Sustainability
95.4/100 #19
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-ECCB
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom Oxford
  • IntakesOctober (Michaelmas term)
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work2 yrs; 18 months from Jan 2027
  • Cost of LivingGBP 1,405-2,105 / month
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

University of Oxford

Oxford, United Kingdom Est. 1096
QS WORLD#4
Annual Tuition GBP 39,620-66,580 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 90%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #
Employer Reputation
100/100 #
Faculty / Student
100/100 #
Citations / Faculty
91/100 #
Intl. Faculty
98.8/100 #
Intl. Students
98.6/100 #
Intl. Research Network
100/100 #
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #
Sustainability
77.9/100 #
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-A87F
United States flag United States Cambridge
  • IntakesFall
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Harvard University

Cambridge, United States Est. 1636
QS WORLD#5
Annual Tuition USD 62,226 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 87%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #1
Employer Reputation
100/100 #1
Faculty / Student
98.3/100 #50
Citations / Faculty
100/100 #1
Intl. Faculty
79.1/100 #300
Intl. Students
81.4/100 #217
Intl. Student Diversity
60.6/100 #335
Intl. Research Network
99.4/100 #8
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #1
Sustainability
77.8/100 #201
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-E4DA
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom Cambridge
  • IntakesSeptember
  • Visa Success95
  • Post-Study WorkUp to 2 years (Graduate visa)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

University of Cambridge

Cambridge, United Kingdom Est. 1209
QS WORLD#6
Annual Tuition £29,052 – £70,554 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 95%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #3
Employer Reputation
100/100 #5
Faculty / Student
100/100 #23
Citations / Faculty
88.6/100 #107
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #80
Intl. Students
93.1/100 #144
Intl. Student Diversity
93.6/100 #120
Intl. Research Network
99.2/100 #12
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #5
Sustainability
78.4/100 #194
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-8F14
This Week's Picks

Scholarships worth applying to right now.

A rotating shortlist our counsellors flag as genuinely worth the paperwork.

Netherlands flag
Maastricht University Netherlands
All Levels Funding + benefits

Maastricht University High Potential Scholarship

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
Canada flag
McGill University Canada
Bachelor's Funding + benefits

McGill Major Entrance Scholarship

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
Canada flag
University of Montreal Canada
Bachelor's CAD 6,358 - 14,015 / year

UdeM Exemption Scholarship (UG)

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
China flag
Nankai University China
All Levels Tuition exemption

Study-at-NKU President Scholarship

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
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