How to choose the right program in Austria

Choosing where to study is the highest-leverage decision you'll make as a non-EU student. Get it right and the visa, financing, and admission steps all fall into place; get it wrong and you'll fight uphill for a year. Here's how to turn 2,000+ programs into a shortlist you can trust.

At a glance

Institution types: 23 public universities, 21 universities of applied sciences (FH), 17–19 private universities, 14 university colleges of teacher education (PH)
Tuition (public uni, non-EU): €726.72/semester + ÖH fee €25.20 = €751.92
Tuition (FH): Up to €363.36/semester for most; some charge cost-covering fees
Tuition (private uni): No legal cap — varies widely, often €5,000+/year
Where to search: studienwahl.at (2,000+ programs) and studyinaustria.at
Uni application deadlines: 5 September (winter), 5 February (summer) — earlier for restricted programs

Understand the four types of higher-education institution

Austria's system has four sectors, and the type matters more than the brand name.

Public universities (Universitäten) — 23 of them, including 6 universities of the arts, 3 medical and 3 technical universities. Research-driven, broad subject range, mostly open admission (with notable exceptions below). Cheapest for the depth on offer.
Universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen / FH) — 21 institutions. Practice-oriented, with mandatory internships, small cohorts, and fixed curricula. Every FH program runs a selection procedure (interview, test, or both), so places are limited and competitive.
Private universities — 17–19 accredited institutions. Flexible admission and English-heavy offerings, but tuition is uncapped and often several thousand euros per semester.
University colleges of teacher education (Pädagogische Hochschulen / PH) — 14 colleges that train teachers. Almost entirely German-taught; less relevant for most international students unless you plan to teach in Austria.

FH vs. public university — the practical difference

Choose an FH if you want a structured, job-focused path with a guaranteed study plan and industry contacts. Choose a public university if you want academic flexibility, research, or a PhD track later. FH programs are harder to get into but easier to finish on time.

Know the degree types before you filter

Austrian degrees follow the Bologna system, so they're internationally comparable:

Bachelor — usually 180 ECTS (6 semesters); some 240 ECTS.
Master — usually 120 ECTS (4 semesters); some 90.
Diplom (Diplomstudium) — a single long program (e.g. human medicine, law, some arts) instead of split Bachelor/Master.
Doctorate / PhD — typically 6 semesters minimum.

One semester equals 30 ECTS of workload. Counting ECTS tells you the real length and helps you compare a "2-year master" in one country against an Austrian 120-ECTS master honestly.

Decide your language of instruction — and verify it

The default language at universities and FHs is German. English-taught programs exist and are growing, especially at master's level — but never assume. The official program database studienwahl.at lets you filter by language (German, English, Partly English), location, degree type, and institution across more than 2,000 programs.

Filter to English or Partly English on studienwahl.at first if your German is below B2
Open the program's own page and find the exact language requirement — 'Partly English' often means German is still needed for some modules
Check whether any German is required even for English-taught programs (common in FH practical units)
If a program needs German, confirm the level (B2/C1) and whether a preparatory year (Vorstudienlehrgang) is offered

The hidden German requirement

Many "English" bachelor's programs at public universities still list a German language proof (often B2) for admission, because German is used in seminars or daily life. Always read the official admission page — a search filter is a starting point, not a guarantee.

Check the admission type: open vs. restricted

This determines your timeline and your odds.

Open-admission programs — most public-university bachelor's and many master's. You apply within the general admission period and, if your prior qualification is recognized, you're admitted.
Restricted programs (Aufnahmeverfahren / entrance exam) — by law, universities may cap demand-heavy fields. These include medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, psychology, biology/biochemistry, pharmacy, architecture, computer science, business/economics, law, communications, and teacher training. Selection happens either before admission (entrance exam) or as a selection procedure within the first two semesters.
FH and arts programs — always have an entrance/aptitude procedure, and application closing dates for entrance exams can fall up to six months before the semester starts.

Deadlines are not uniform

The general university deadlines are 5 September (winter) and 5 February (summer). But restricted programs, FHs, arts universities, and private universities set their own — often much earlier — dates. Build your shortlist around the earliest deadline among your choices, not the latest.

Budget realistically: tuition is only the start

For non-EU/third-country degree students, tuition at public universities is €726.72 per semester, plus the compulsory ÖH (student union) fee of €25.20 — €751.92 total per semester in 2025/26. (The ÖH fee rises to €26.20 from 2026/27.) That's roughly €1,500 per year — genuinely low by international standards.

Other sectors differ sharply:

| Sector | Typical tuition for non-EU students | | --- | --- | | Public university | €726.72/semester (+ ÖH fee) | | University of applied sciences (FH) | Up to €363.36/semester for most; some charge higher cost-covering fees for third-country students | | University college of teacher education (PH) | Same model as public universities | | Private university | No legal cap — set by each institution, frequently €5,000+/year |

Living costs dwarf tuition

Your biggest expense is living, not tuition. For the student visa/residence permit you must prove sufficient funds (roughly €11,000+ for a year, set annually). Vienna is the priciest city; Graz, Linz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, and Leoben are noticeably cheaper. Factor rent, the city's job market for your field, and part-time work limits into the choice.

Build the shortlist, then go deep

Search broad, then verify everything on official pages before you commit.

Build your shortlist

0/8 done

List your field, target degree (Bachelor/Master/PhD), and minimum language level
Search studienwahl.at and studyinaustria.at; filter by language, location, and institution type
Save 5–8 programs across at least two institution types (e.g. some public, some FH)
On each official page, confirm the exact language requirement and level
Note the admission type: open, entrance exam, or selection procedure
Record every deadline — and flag the earliest one
Estimate total cost: tuition + ÖH fee + living costs for your city
Confirm your prior qualification gives general university entrance eligibility

Common mistakes to avoid

Trusting aggregators for figures. Fees, deadlines, and language levels change yearly. Verify on the institution's own site or the official OeAD/BMFWF pages.
Ignoring the admission type. A perfect-fit program with an entrance exam six months out can be unreachable this cycle — apply or pick a backup early.
Assuming "English" means no German. Many English programs still expect German for admission or daily study.
Optimizing only for tuition. A "free-ish" public university in expensive Vienna can cost more overall than a modest-tuition FH in a cheaper city.
Picking one institution type. Mixing public, FH, and a private safety option spreads your admission risk.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost a non-EU student to study at a public university in Austria?

€726.72 in tuition per semester plus the compulsory ÖH (student union) fee of €25.20, for €751.92 total in 2025/26. The ÖH fee rises to €26.20 from 2026/27. Private universities and some FHs cost considerably more.

Where can I search all Austrian study programs in one place?

Use studienwahl.at, the official OeAD database of 2,000+ programs at 70+ institutions, with filters for language, location, degree type, and institution. studyinaustria.at gives the broader context and admission guidance.

Are there English-taught programs in Austria?

Yes, especially at master's level, and the number is growing. Filter for English or Partly English on studienwahl.at, then confirm the exact requirement on each program's official page — some still require German.

What is the difference between a university and a Fachhochschule (FH)?

Public universities are research-oriented with broad, flexible programs and mostly open admission. FHs are practice-oriented with mandatory internships, small fixed cohorts, and a selection procedure for every program.

What are the main application deadlines?

At public universities, 5 September for the winter semester and 5 February for the summer semester. Restricted programs, FHs, arts and private universities set their own — sometimes up to six months earlier — so check each one.

Which fields have restricted admission?

Demand-heavy fields such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, psychology, biology, pharmacy, architecture, computer science, business/economics, law, and teacher training may use an entrance exam or a selection procedure in the first two semesters.

Sources

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