Why Study in Austria

 

Quality of life

• Austria is widely recognized as one of the most livable countries in the world. In 2018, the Institute for Management Development (IMD) awarded Austria the number one spot in terms of quality of life. The IMD uses a wide range of metrics to identify the world's most livable countries, including economic growth, innovation, and cultural heritage, as well as important indicators of individual well-being such as community spirit, mental health, and job satisfaction.

• Austrians scored high across all the metrics, but the highest levels of happiness came from people living in its capital. Vienna was recently named as the most liveable city in the world for the second year running by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Vienna scored top marks in economic stability, infrastructure, and education -- making this beautiful European capital the ideal place to start an academic career.

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A rich intellectual history

•  Nobel Prize-winning physicist Erwin Schrodinger did much of his early research in Vienna and would go on to formulate revolutionary new theories in the fields of quantum theory, general relativity, and thermodynamics. Fellow Nobel laureate Friedrich Hayek studied economics at the University of Vienna before going on to positions at the London School of Economics and the hugely influential Chicago School of Economics. Hayek's seminal work The Road to Serfdom has now sold over two million copies and is still regarded as one of the best arguments for economic and political liberalism. In 2004, the novelist Elfriede Jelinek became the 15th graduate of the University of Vienna to be awarded a Nobel peace prize. 

 

World-class universities

• Austria has some of the best universities in the world. In 2018, seven Austrian universities were included in the QS World University Rankings, with five institutions making it into the top 500. The University of Vienna, Austria's oldest and most famous university, ranked the highest (154th.) With a student body of around 94,000, it's one of the largest universities in Europe and attracts undergraduate and postgraduate students from all over the world. Like many Austrian universities, the majority of courses are taught in German, although there are many English-only programs, especially at master's level.

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It welcomes applications from international students

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• Always research the specific entry requirements of whatever course you're interested in before applying. But, generally speaking, people looking to study abroad in Austria need a secondary school leaving certificate that qualifies for admission to university in your home country. You will also need evidence of German language proficiency. This can be a school certificate confirming at least four years of German lessons or a German-language diploma. If you decide to take a diploma independently, make sure you find a school or college that awards certificates recognized by your desired university.

• Students from inside the EU do not need a visa, although they must register with the local authorities three months after entering Austria. All other international students require a residence permit for stays above six months. You should start your visa application as early as possible and certainly no later than three months before the start of your course. Without a valid student visa, you will not be allowed to enroll.

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Education System

• Overall, Austria offers six types of higher education institutions: 22 public universities, including 6 Universities of the Arts, 3 Medical Universities and 3 Technical Universities, 16 private universities, 21 universities of Applied Sciences (Fachho-chschulen) and 14 University Colleges of Teacher Education (Pädagogische-Hochschulen).

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Requirements to Study in Austria

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Visa Requirements

Generally speaking, there are two types of Austria student visas; a short-term visa and a long-term visa. You should apply for the type of visa which suits the length of your study program:

• Visa C (short-term). This is a short-term visa that allows you to stay and study in Austria for up to three months.

• Visa D (long-term). This is a long-term visa that is valid for up to six months, and which you can then switch to a Student Resident Permit. This is the type of visa you need if you will pursue higher education or long-term studies in Austria.

The Austrian authorities are likely to ask for the following documents when you’re applying for a visa or residence permit:

• A completed and signed visa application form.

• A completed and signed residence permit application form.

• An enrollment letter from your university.

• Original photographs of your face against a white background.

• Passport or travel documents that are valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date.

• Proof of finances.

• Proof of health insurance.

• Proof of travel insurance with at least €30,000 of cover.

• A cover letter stating your reason for visiting Austria.

• Flight dates and numbers detailing your arrival and exit from the country.

Other requirements 

• A place to study has to be available at the University for the Desired Course of studies.

• The applicant must have an A-level or high school diploma, that can be considered equivalent to an Austrian Matura examination certification (either regulated by an agreement or in individual cases decided by the vice chancellor, possibly with certain requirements) or 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 at a university in the country in which it was acquired. Any study-related requirements (e.g. 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 this proof is to be furnished regarding the most similar course of study. Only if the country does not have a university, this proof does not have to be submitted.

• In addition, the applicant must have sufficient German knowledge. If necessary, an examination is to be taken..

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Application Requirements for Austria Universities

 

• Begin your application process as early as possible, so as to have enough time for the university to decide

• Gather all the necessary documents timely and carefully.

• Many institutions in Austria require that foreign documents should be legalized and translated to Austrian. You will be advised if this is required of you.

• Scan all your documents clearly and visibly.

• Passport photographs must be clear and in 300 dpi resolution.

• All documents must be in PDF format.

• All photos must be in JPEG or PNG format.

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Cost of Studying in Austria for Indian Students

 

• For international students, the fees are usually around €726.72 per semester. This applies to nearly any degree program.

• However, fees at private universities are far higher because these institutions are free to set their own rates. Nevertheless, they are still usually cheaper than in other countries. Depending on your university and course, you should expect to pay anywhere from €3,000 to €25,000 a year.

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Living Expenses 

In the following listing you will find an estimate of the monthly living costs for students (in euros). These figures only serve as a guideline and cannot be seen as binding. Under accommodation costs, a place in a student hall of residence has been used as the basis of calculation.

Accommodation 

The costs depend on the city in which you want to study, what is included in the rent and the arrangements made by the institution. Housing in Vienna, for example, is more expensive than in smaller towns. You can find more information about housing in our section on accommodation.

Food

Fortunately, Austria has many discount supermarkets, which offer food at reasonable prices. Many universities have so-called self-service student cafeterias (Mensa) where you can get a good meal at a good price. But the cheapest way to eat is to do your own cooking. Some average prices: a cup of coffee/tea in a café: 3 euros, a sandwich at a bakery: 3,50 euros, and dinner in a typical student restaurant: 10 euros.

Studies and personal requirements 

A metro or bus ticket cost around 2,20 euros for a single fare in the city, a cinema ticket cost approximately 9 euros and a ticket for a museum about 8 euros. However, students are eligible for a number of price concessions. Public transportation authorities and many museums, cinemas, theatres and other cultural venues give student discounts when you show your student card.

 

Travelling In and Around Austria

Austria has an extensive public transport system. Students can travel in and around Austria by trains and bike at a reasonable price.

Getting Around by Train:

• Travelling via train is the most convenient way to travel around the country. The OeBB (Osterreichische Bundesbahn)   is the public railway company and provides special rates for taking a trip within Austria or to neighboring nations. A SparSchiene Ticket is available for 9 euros by which you can travel in and around Austria and if you want to discover beautiful cities of Europe, you can travel with a SparSchiene ticket that is available at just 19 euros.

 

• The Westbahn  is the first private railway company in Austria, which provides a passenger train service with low-priced fare between Vienna and Salzburg. Visit Westbahn  to book the tickets and to know more about the costs. 

Travelling in and Around by Bike:

• The bike is a really economical way to travel around Austria. In Vienna you can use the CityBike , which permits you to drive around Vienna at free of cost. To become a Citybiker you need to register one time only and pay a registration fee of 1 euro. After registration, you can hire a bike from any bike station. No charge is being levied on the first hour of using the bike.

Insurance for International Students in Austria

• Students admitted to a university of the arts or Austrian university or University of Applied Science degree program as regular degree program students may go for comprehensive health insurance with one of the regional public haulers. This insurance is only available to Austrian and International Students who have set up a legal residence in Austria. To apply for this insurance coverage, forms can be taken from the respective local public carrier’s branch offices and the Austrian Student Union.

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                                                                 Scholarship to Study in Austria

 

With so many Indian students applying to Austrian institutions, different facilities and exemptions have been made available to help them. These scholarships assist Indian and foreign students in decreasing the expenditure and cost to study in Austria. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, academic performance, or potential abilities. Interested students must contact our consultants for applying in the scholarship program.

 

 

 

 

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