General requirements for studying in Austria
In order to study in Austria, you will have to meet certain requirements. As such, you should make sure that you meet the language, visa, and qualification requirements before you move to the country to begin your studies.
Visa requirements
If you are a citizen of an EU country, you can freely study and work in Austria without a visa. However, if you’re a student from a non-EU country, you must get a student visa. However, there are several types available.
For short-term or exchange students, you need a Visa C or D. The first allows you to study in Austria for up to three months; the latter gives you up to six months. However, if you plan to study in Austria for longer than that, you need a Resident Permit – Student visa.
To get this visa, you should submit an application to the local Austrian embassy in your country of residence and wait for a decision before you move to Austria. However, if you are able to enter Austria without a visa under normal circumstances, it is possible to apply for your student visa once you arrive in the country. That said, be aware that your application can take up to 90 days to process.
To get your student visa, you have to submit the following documents along with a signed application form:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Photo
- Confirmation of admission to an Austrian university
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover living costs for 12 months (between €533.85 and €1,524.99 per month)
- Declaration of loans, maintenance payments, or other debts
- Proof of accommodation in Austria for at least three months
- Police clearance certificate from your country of residence
- Travel medical insurance
- Health insurance (Austrian student health insurance)
In addition, all foreign documents should be accompanied by a legal German translation. Companies such as lingoking can provide a fast and flexible translation service. You will also have to pay a total of €160 to get your visa and resident card.
Language requirements
As a foreign student, you will likely have to prove your German language skills if you want to study in Austria at the university level. This is because most programs are delivered in German and most universities require knowledge of German as part of the admissions program. As such, you might need to prove your skills with existing qualifications or take a German exam.
If you don’t meet the requirements, however, you can take a language course to brush up on your skills. There are many ways to do this, including online platforms, apps, and language schools.
Getting overseas qualifications recognized
Some university programs may need to see your previous qualifications to allow you to study in Austria. This particularly applies to Master’s degrees and Ph.D. programs. If your previous qualifications are from an EU university, you should be fine. However, other overseas qualifications may need to be translated into German to be approved as part of your application.
Costs of studying in Austria
As previously mentioned, public universities in Austria are free for locals and EU 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.
On top of tuition fees, your university may require you to pay additional charges to study in Austria. For example, you may need to pay a registration fee and €20 per semester for the student union.