Education in Austria

High education in Austria is winning for a greater number of applicants due to a good deal of high quality tertiary education institutions, long academic history and a wide-minded environment for those who seek in application of innovating thinking of the world. The education system in the country offers flexible opportunities to make the country the place of study destination.

High quality tertiary education and Austrian credential recognized at global level are still appealing for international students with the best educational facilities based in Vienna, Graz and Salzburg. The fundamental concept of tertiary education in Austria is liberty and creativity in study. Students can afford choosing a spectrum of disciplines to be taught, as well as diploma and term paper thesis. They are also offered the choice to assign the exam date.

Higher education in Austria

Advantages to study in Austria

• Opportunity to apply upon completion of elementary school;
• No age limits for applicants;
• Enrollment procedure may avoid admission exams although resources for such qualifications as Biology, Pharmacy, Fine Art are limited;
• Students are eligible to work for 10 hours per week with the wage to make at least €350 per month;
• It is possible to apply for tertiary education without good command of German language and proceed to its learning upon enrollment;
• The level of mean score of Leaving Certificate of Diploma work is not considered during enrollment;
• Language courses that last from 6 months to 1.5 years are arranged at tertiary education institutions;
• Lately the education system in Austria introduced programs on the base of English language;
• Admission period is from October to March, twice a year;
• High education institutions employ numerous bonuses and discounts and qualified students are provided all applicable conditions to study. Such students join the student welfare programmes to get discounts for meals, transport expenses and accommodation;
• Students and graduates have internships in European companies;
• Graduates may conclude contracts with any company in Europe and USA;
• Draft determent is applicable for male students.

Accommodation for students

Austria offers lots of accommodation options for international students and among them a separate flat is good thing for some reason. A student might apply to realtors and rent a flat based on tenancy agreement. Each semester a student should confirm on his/her study at higher education institution to prolong the agreement. Flats can be single-room or multiroom apartments. Community charges are not included in the rent amount.

Students may save more money if they come to decision to share accommodation (“Wohngemeinschaften” in German - WG). Such option of flat sharing is highly popular among Austrian students. Doing so, three types of rent contracts can be concluded between parties as follow:

• A tenancy agreement is concluded between one single tenant and a flat owner. This is unfavorable providing that the major tenant leaves the flat, the flat owner cannot prolong the rent contract with other co-tenants and all of them should leave.
• A tenancy agreement is concluded between all co-tenants and a flat owner.
• A tenancy agreement is concluded separately. The student, a party of the agreement, concludes that he or she will have a separate room with the right to share a kitchen and a bathroom. In this case, the student cannot choose roommates.

An accommodation option is a dormitory for students that offer different types of flats, both single apartments, and separate two-storeyed living communities with the private bathroom and toilet. A room in dormitory should be booked in advance, at least 6 months before the study.

Austrian educational system

The education in Austria is based on three-tier system:

1. State Universities and Universities of the Arts. Study in economics is more demanded in Vienna, Law is more studied in Salzburg and Technical Science disciplines are more popular to study in Graz. There are 6 Universities of Arts with lots of positive comments for the University in Krems an der Donau. This offers opportunities to qualify in such disciplines as Mass Media, European Law and International Relations in Europe, Economics, Ecology, Business Management and Medicine. International students may find it more difficult to apply to study Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Veterinary, Psychology, Biology, Economics and Industrial Engineering.
2. University Colleges of Teacher Education. These facilities include professional education institutions that offer 3-year study. Pedagogic facilities aim at elementary teacher education; Medical Technology academies grant degrees to medical technicians and technical assistants; and academies train community workers of specific knowledge.
3. Tertiary schools. This schooling dates back to early 90s. The schools offer 8-semester period of professional study. Upon graduation the students might apply their practical knowledge in the sphere of application with the employment suggested at ease.

The academic year in Austria takes 2-semester period: winter semester starts from October 1st and summer semester starts from March 1st.

Whereas the applicant has a Higher Education Diploma acquired earlier, he or she may apply for Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme only in the area of expertise of the previous qualification.

Enrollment requirements in Austrian universities

The following documents should be submitted to get enrolled to Austrian tertiary education institutions:

• Secondary School Leaving Certificate equivalent to Austrian Matura (Secondary School Diploma or Bachelor’s or Master’s Diploma)
• Application form should be submitted up to September 1st with the winter semester chosen and up to February 1st to apply for summer semester;
• Statement written by applicant’s parents or offered by a sponsor organization with the obligation to provide financial resources to cover student’s accommodation for the entire period of study as per the cost of living in Austria;
• A parent’s statement is required for under age applicants on the permit to study abroad that translated into German language and notarized as applicable;
• Foreign passports;
• Medical Certificate attested by the Austrian healthcare professionals at the University.
• CV with educational background (degrees, titles);

Preparatory courses in Austria

Due to fact that in most countries secondary education lasts for 11 years and 13 years referring to Austria, the applicants are allowed to have preparatory courses at universities to become correspondence-course students. To arrive in Austria, students have to get their Student Visa. They have language proficiency classes at related courses and get prepared for exams. Once they pass them successfully they are enrolled at universities. 2-year period is set as the maximum preparatory period though it varies from student to student to learn the language earlier and take entry exams in advance.

Upon graduation the student is granted Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctor’s Degree.

Grants and Scholarships in Austria

Grants for research activities are allotted to those student who choose to study Natural Sciences, Medicine, Technical Sciences, Agriculture and Forestry, Humanities and other related sciences. Project completion period is 24 months. Such grant benefits as transport expenditures and accommodation fees are paid.
The Ernst Mach Grants. It is the semester or one-year grant. The grant is allotted to PhD holders, post docs, graduates at the age of up to 35 years old. As the bonus, students do not have to pay for studies and they are offered scholarships.

Bertha von Suttner Grants on Linguistics, Humanities and Theology. It is also a semester or a one-year grant type. The target group includes Master’s Degree graduates or qualified professionals at the age of up to 27 who are on the way to get their PhD.

How to get Student Visa in Austria

Application for visa is better to start 3 to 4 month prior to entry to Austria for study. The applicant should submit documents in person. Compulsory procedures include insurance policy execution, payment of consular fee and a bank statement availability to prove creditworthiness.

Below find the list of documents to apply for Student Visa:

• Fully completed application form on the permit to entry and reside in the country;
• A letter of acceptance (original);
• Proof on sufficient financial resources, savings bank book;
• Birth certificate (original);
• Certificate of good conduct (where available);
• Valid foreign passport (a copy and original);
• Passport-sized photographs (between 3,5 x 4,5 %;
• Proof of accommodation in Austria (any type).

Perspectives of tertiary education in Austria

Austria has a lot to offer: from charming city life with great culture to striking Alps and wonderful education choices. The broad spectrum of educational opportunities offered in Austria make the graduates highly professional to be able to apply all theoretical knowledge and skills in practice in the area of expertise. The study experience in Austria with its high quality credentials will be a great bonus to get employment worldwide.

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Education in Austria - See also...

• Educational system in Germany
• Educational system in Switzerland
• Educational system in Poland