Education in Austria

Since 1960, education in Austria is no longer a prerogative of the elite, but a national property. Many foreign students are interested in studying in the country. There are many reasons for this: the world class universities are located here, tuition fees are low, and safety and a high standard of living promise interesting and prosperous student years. Located in the heart of Europe, Austria is renowned for its cultural and scientific achievements in various fields, from classical opera to automotive engineering. According to the survey of international students on the website StudyPortals, Austria is one of the best countries for education: it was rated 9 out of 10.

Cost and structure of education in Austria

All prices and requirements must be checked on the university websites.

Optionss and schemes of admission to Austrian universities

Admission requirements in Austrian universities

The main language of instruction at Austrian universities is German. For admission to most universities, the level of German language proficiency must be at least C1. The tests accepted by universities are listed on the websites of the universities. Usually these are ÖSD Zertifikat, Goethe Zertifikat, TestDaF and others. There are also English-language educational programs, but they are few compared to the German ones. They are common in master's programs and doctoral studies, especially in business, management, marketing and information technology. The minimum level of English proficiency is IELTS 6.0. Some specialties require a score of at least 6.5. In recent decades, Austrian university education has followed the Bologna Process. However, the old system with combined bachelor’s and master’s still exists in some specialties, for instance medicine.
There are 22 public and 16 private universities in the country that provide a wide range of degree programs. There is no unified system for admitting students in Austria, so each university puts forward its own criteria. Requirements for admission are indicated directly on the websites of universities.
As a rule, for admission you will need the following:

• Copy of your passport;
• Secondary education certificate / Bachelor's / Master's degree;
• Proof of German or English proficiency (diploma confirming prior education in German / English or a language certificates);
• Studienplatznachweis certificate (confirmation that the student has the right to be educated in a similar specialty at a higher educational institution in a home country);
• Motivation letter and letters of recommendation;
• Research proposal or project (for doctoral studies).

In addition to the standard set of documents, some admissions offices require written exams, oral tests and interviews. Since 2019, universities have begun to actively introduce entrance examinations, for example, to universities of applied sciences and medicine, to universities of arts, to programs in law, chemistry, political science and psychology. In this case, it is imperative to clarify the deadlines for submitting applications and the dates of entrance exams. The application deadline for them may end 6 months before the start of the semester. Additional information can be found on the websites of universities and on the German-language portal Studiversum.

Legalization and recognition of a diploma in Austria

Austrian universities request legalized documents (education certificate/diploma and sometimes Studienplatznachweis) from foreign applicants. If your country is part of the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, legalisation is supposed to be done by apostille. After apostillisation, the document must be translated into German and notarized. However, additional agreements may exist between the states, so you should check the requirements for your particular case.
In Austria, in turn, the apostille is affixed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the courts of first instance and by the governments of the federal provinces.

Foundation programs in Austria

The OeAD organization implements training programs for the university. They prepare foreign applicants for additional university admission exams and for study in German. These programs can be in:

• German as a foreign language;
• English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography.

University preparation programs are present in Vienna, Graz and Leoben.
To enroll in the program, you must be already admitted to the university and speak German at a level not lower than A2 (according to CEFR). Sometimes universities make exceptions, but for details you need to contact the administration directly. The winter semester runs from October to February, and the summer semester from March to June. All Foundation students have university student status and are issued student cards. Detailed information about the preparatory programs can be found here.
There are also preparatory courses and international Foundation programs at the universities themselves:

• FH Burgenland;
• University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria;
• FH Technikum Wien Academy;
• Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt;
• Paris-Lodron-University Salzburg;
• MODUL University Vienna.

Vocational education — FH in Austria

Previously existing college programs were introduced to the Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen) (UAS/FH)^[5]. FH offer students a professionally oriented higher education in bachelor’s programs (6 semesters) and master's programs (2-4 semesters). The studies can be full-time, part-time, or short-term for working students. The curriculum consists of practical activities and compulsory vocational training. The latter can take place in Austria or abroad. Such internships usually last 15 weeks. At the end of the training, students write their theses.
FH provides over 650 degree programs in areas such as business, engineering and IT, social sciences, media, design, medicine. In total, there are more than 20 universities of applied sciences in Austria. About 80 programs are taught entirely in English.
To enter, you will need:

• Secondary school / vocational education certificate / bachelor's degree;
• Motivation letter;
• Proof of German language proficiency at C1 level (ÖSD, Goethe Certificate, TELC Certificate, TestDaF) or English at B2 level (IELTS / TOEFL).

Additionally, admission tests are conducted, for example: an exam, interview, testing, portfolio review or group games. Application deadlines and requirements depend on the program and the university. It is worth noting that the number of applicants usually exceeds the number of study places at universities. The cost of studying at FH ranges from 1,749-2,332 USD per year.
UAS degrees are equated to research university degrees. Therefore, graduates of master's programs from universities of applied sciences can enter traditional universities for doctoral studies. FH programs can be found on the website of the Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences Portal .

Bachelor’s in Austria — Undergraduate

Bachelor’s programs are held by research universities and universities of applied sciences. Education is offered in a variety of disciplines, for example: arts and humanities, economics, engineering, law, medicine, veterinary medicine, natural and social sciences, education, theology.
Universities and programs put forward their own criteria for admission. Usually the requirements are as follows:

• Secondary education certificate, or bachelor's/master's degree;
• Transcript with grades from the last completed education;
• Studienplatznachweis certificate (confirmation that the student has the right to be educated in a similar specialty at a higher educational institution in a home country), or if the student is already studying at a higher educational institution, a certificate from the university;
• Proof of German language proficiency at A2/C1 level (ÖSD, Goethe Zertifikat, telc Deutsch, DSH2, DSD II, TestDaF 4);
• Passing an entrance exam (not for all programs);
• CV;
• Copy of the passport.

Documents not in English/German must be translated and notarized. In large universities, it takes several weeks to process applications from international students. This period often coincides with visa applications, which can lead to missed deadlines. Therefore, it is advisable for applicants to start collecting documents and submitting an application as early as possible. In some cases, the letter of admission may be conditional: the candidate will be required to pass additional exams (English, mathematics, history or geography) and improve the German language proficiency from A2 to C1. In this case, the student needs to complete the preparatory program and pass the exam upon completion.

Typically, bachelor’s programs last for 4 years in engineering and 3 years in other fields. The number of ECTS credits is 180-240. Austrian universities do not have a fixed curriculum: the student himself chooses the schedule, professors and exam dates. At the end of their studies, students take final exams and defend their graduation work.

Master’s in Austria — Graduate/Postgraduate

Master’s programs are offered by private, public and universities of applied sciences. Before Austria joined the Bologna Process, the Master's degree was merged with the Bachelor's degree and lasted much longer. Such programs were called the Diploma program (Diplomstudium) or Magister. Now they can still be found in some universities (about 6 years of study), but most universities have switched to standard master's programs. They usually last 2 years at universities and 1-2 years at Fachhochschulen.
The curriculum includes compulsory and elective courses. During the first year, students learn general subjects, and in the second year, turn to elective disciplines. All master’s students do research and write term papers and/or dissertations. For some one-year programs at Fachhochschulen, academic work is not required. In other cases, the thesis is worth about 20-40 ECTS credits and its defense takes place orally. Throughout their studies, students attend lectures, conduct research, and work on group and individual projects.
There is no centralized application system in Austria. Universities accept applications through websites. Usually the following documents are required:

• Apostilled bachelor’s diploma (for most programs it is compulsory to have a degree in a related specialty);
• Transcript with grades;
• Studienplatznachweis certificate (not required if the bachelor’s has been completed in Austria);
• Language certificate German/English (C1/B2);
• GRE/GMAT exam results (rarely);
• CV;
• Motivation letter and letters of recommendation.

The documents must be translated and notarized. Terms and criteria are indicated on the websites of programs and universities.

Doctoral studies in Austria — Postgraduate

Universities in Austria implement doctoral studies in various fields of science. Some programs are general and cover a wide range of disciplines, while others are structured and focused on research of specific topics. The latter are usually offered at selected doctoral schools (Doktoratskollegs) created by universities.
Doctoral studies in Austria last from 3 to 4 years. Often, the duration of study depends on the student's qualifications: with a master's degree, doctoral studies will last 3 years, without it (with a bachelor's degree) — 4.
The first part of the study includes usual lectures and seminars aimed at gaining knowledge and developing research skills. Towards the end of the first year of study, candidates choose a thesis topic. Once it is approved, the remaining time is allocated to writing a scientific paper.

In Austrian universities, PhD candidates are often assigned two academic advisors. The delivery of the thesis takes place in the form of presentation and oral defense (Rigorosum) before the commission.
In Austria, there is an opportunity to work during your doctoral studies. This is how the student becomes an employee of the university and receives a salary. In return, he teaches, helps in labs, and does paperwork.

The admission process for doctoral studies is similar to applying for a bachelor’s or master’s program. The candidate is required to present the following:

• Master's degree in the relevant field;
• Transcript with grades (from master's and bachelor's degrees);
• Studienplatznachweis certificate (confirmation that the student has the right to be educated in a similar specialty at a higher educational institution in a home country);
• Language certificate for German/English;
• Motivation letter;
• Letters of recommendation from several people;
• Research project / proposal;
• Interview.

All documents must be translated into English or German and notarized. Applicants are also encouraged to find a scientific advisor for future research in advance.

Scholarships and grants in Austria

In Austria, scholarships and research funding for foreigners does exist, however, there are few of them and they are mainly offered for master's and doctoral students. The types of grants also depend on the country of origin of the applicant. It is worth noting that in Austria, the cost education is rarely fully covered. Grants cover expenses only in part or in a single payment.

Types of scholarships:

• From Institutions. They can be foundations as well as large companies and NGOs. Current opportunities are listed in the Austria Scholarship and Research Grant database. A separate list of programs can be found on the OeAD page.
• University. Some higher education institutions provide grants and scholarships to international students. The options can be found in the same search engine or directly on the university website. Usually the financial aid department at universities deals with grants and provides details.

Student visa in Austria

Nationals of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland do not need a visa to come to Austria. However, if the planned period of study exceeds 90 days, one should register with the municipal authority (Magistrat, Bezirkshauptmannschaft) and get a residence permit within 4 months upon arrival.
When it comes to students from other countries, in order to legally enter the country for education for a period exceeding 6 months, one must apply for a D study visa at the Austrian embassy. The list of documents required for obtaining a visa depends on the citizenship of the applicant and the country of submission. Standard requirements:

• Completed and signed visa application form;
• Passport and its copy;
• Photo 3.5 x 4.5 cm;
• Booked or purchased air ticket;
• Medical insurance;
• Letter of admission from an Austrian university;
• Proof of funds (for ages up to 24: 533.99 USD per month, over 24: 966.76 USD per month);
• Confirmation of the future place of residence in Austria (rental agreement, booking in a hotel or a hostel);
• Police certificate with an apostille.

The documents must be translated into German/English.
The cost of the visa depends on the country of application. Consideration of documents is done in a maximum of 3 months. The earliest deadline for submission is six months before the trip. Visa documents are submitted personally by the applicant and directly to the Austrian embassy.

A student visa is a single entry visa. After arriving in the country, the student must register at the Magistrat office at the place of residence within 3 working days from the date of arrival. He must also apply for a residence permit (only from October 1, if it is the fall semester). The residence authority considers an application for a residence permit within 90 days (usually done in a week, then a work permit is given). The total cost of filing documents and obtaining a residence permit is 187 USD. After obtaining a residence permit, a student visa becomes a multiple entry one. The necessary documents and additional information on obtaining a residence permit are indicated on the website of the Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research.

Opportunity to work while studying

Nationals of EU member countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein are eligible to work in Austria without any limitations or additional requirements.

At the same time, according to Austrian law, international students from the rest of the world have the right to work no more than 20 hours a week. The salary will be around 408 USD per month. Knowledge of the language for work is advised, especially in small towns. Positions that a student can have are usually the simplest ones: waiter, courier, etc. It should be kept in mind that before starting work, the boss must issue a work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilling), and its issuance is limited by a quota set by the Austrian government. This can be an obstacle to successful employment in the country. If the student intends to undertake a paid internship, a work permit will not be required.
Also, students have the opportunity to work without permission (Werkvertrag). These can be one-time results-oriented services (for example, addressing 1000 envelopes). When performing this work, the student should not be bound by a fixed time and place of work. However, here you need to be careful and understand exactly the difference between contract work and the services provided by self-employed (Werkvertrag). The legal consequences of illegal labor can cause deportation from the country. Therefore, before starting work, the student is advised to contact the Labor Chamber (Arbeiterkammer, AK) or the State Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice, AMS) and consult about the legality of the work.

Opportunity to stay and immigration to Austria

Graduates from the EU/EEA member states and Switzerland enjoy the opportunity to stay and work in Austria with no further requirements.

As for citizens of other countries, after graduation from an Austrian university, they have the right to stay in the country for 12 months to look for a job or start a business. To extend the residence permit, you must provide:

• Proof of funds. For a person who is unmarried, the monthly income must be 966.76 USD;
• Medical insurance, covering all risks;
• Proof of residence in the country (such as a rental contract).

If during this year a young specialist has found a position corresponding to his qualification level, he can receive a work permit (Red-White-Red Card). Requirements for obtaining this permit are:

• The minimum salary must be at least 2416.58 USD per month (for 2020);
• The same requirements as stated above.

The cost of applying for a Red-White-Red Card is 140 USD. The initial validity period of the card is 1 year, subsequently it can be renewed for 3 years.
The required documents and details are listed on the Federal Government for Immigration to Austria website.

Job prospects and opportunities

It will not be easy to find a job in Austria after graduation. Firstly, knowledge of the German language is mandatory, and secondly, it is worth remembering that Austria is a rather conservative country, where ‘who you know’ plays a role in job search, so it would not hurt a foreigner to start networking as early as possible. However, the country's economy is stable and prosperous: in 2019, the unemployment rate in Austria was only 4.67%^[7]. The state itself is ranked 13th in the list of the richest countries according to the IMF in 2019^[8].
In Austria, almost all sectors of the economy are developed, in particular the service sector (tourism, finance, legal advice), industrial production (electrochemistry, engineering, mechanical engineering, machine tools, equipment manufacturing) and agriculture^[9]. Also, job prospects depend on the specialty of the graduate. Highly paid specialists in management, financial services, marketing, consulting, accounting, sales and business^[10].
When looking for work in other European countries, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of a particular state. For example, knowledge of the German language will come in handy when applying for a job in Germany. In general, an Austrian diploma, like almost any European one, is highly regarded in many countries of the world.

Photographs of Austrian universities