Vienna lifestyle.
Affordable EU degree.
Public university tuition at €726.72/semester for non-EU students, English-taught Masters, Vienna's world-#1 liveability, 20 hrs/week part-time and a 12-month post-study residence → Red-White-Red Card.
Why students are choosing Austria
Low Public Tuition
€726.72/semester at public universities — among the most affordable German-speaking EU options.
Vienna #1 Liveability
Vienna has topped global quality-of-life rankings for 10+ years — safe, cultural, affordable, world-class public services.
Full EU + Schengen
Austrian degrees recognised across the EU · full Schengen travel · founder-member of multiple EU initiatives.
English-Taught Programmes
Growing portfolio of English-taught Masters across University of Vienna, TU Wien, Graz and FH universities.
MedUni Wien for Medicine
MedUni Wien is one of Europe's top medical schools (German-taught, highly selective, affordable).
Red-White-Red Card Path
Austria's skilled-worker visa (Rot-Weiß-Rot) lets graduates transition from student → worker → PR within 5-6 years.
Why Austria is Europe's underrated study gem
Low public tuition, Vienna's unbeatable quality of life, and genuine long-term EU work rights via the Red-White-Red Card.
Affordable Public Tuition
€726.72 per semester at public universities.
Non-EU students pay only €726.72/semester (~€1,453/yr) at Austrian public universities — a fraction of UK/US tuition for Master and Bachelor programmes.
Vienna Quality of Life
The world's most liveable city.
Vienna consistently ranks #1 globally for quality of life (Mercer, EIU) — safe, cultural, affordable public transport and world-class healthcare.
20 Hours Part-Time
Legally work during studies.
International students can work up to 20 hours per week — enough to offset living costs in Vienna, Graz or Innsbruck.
12-Month Post-Study
Stay 12 months to find a job → Red-White-Red Card.
After graduation, apply for a 12-month residence permit to seek employment. Transition to a Red-White-Red Card for skilled workers, then PR in 5-6 years.
Where you can study in Austria
Three student cities — Vienna (biggest), Graz (student-dense), Innsbruck (Alpine).
Vienna
Univ. Vienna · TU Wien · MedUni · FH Wien
- World's most liveable city (Mercer, EIU)
- Univ. of Vienna, TU Wien, MedUni Wien
- Best public transport in Europe
- Highest Indian student concentration
Graz
Univ. Graz · TU Graz · MedUni Graz
- Austria's 2nd-largest city
- Four universities in one compact city
- Lower living cost than Vienna
- UNESCO heritage old town
Innsbruck
Univ. Innsbruck · MCI · MedUni
- Nestled in the Austrian Alps
- Strong Life Sciences + Tourism
- Winter sports capital
- Compact, student-dense city
Can I afford to study in Austria?
Indicative annual figures in Euros (€). Public tuition is remarkably low at €726.72/semester — your main planning number is cost of living in Vienna vs smaller cities.
Public University (Bachelor / Master)
FH University (Applied Sciences)
MedUni Wien (very selective)
Private University (Music / Arts)
Why Austria wins on value
Low public tuition · world's most liveable city · EU access
- €726.72/semester at public universities (non-EU)
- Vienna #1 liveability rankings for 10+ years
- 12-month post-study residence → Red-White-Red Card
- Full Schengen + EU recognition
Monthly living breakdown
These are indicative figures. Students must prove financial resources (~€12,000/yr for under-24, ~€15,000/yr for 24+) at visa application. Exchange rates fluctuate.
Your Austria university options
Six partners — classical universities (Univ. Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck), TU Wien, MedUni Wien and FH applied sciences.
University of Vienna
Best for: Sciences · Humanities · Business · Research
- • MSc Data Science
- • MA Business Economics
- • MSc Computer Science
- • MA English + American Studies
Technische Universität Wien
Best for: Engineering · CS · Informatics · Architecture
- • MSc Logic & Computation
- • MSc Data Science
- • MSc Mech. Engineering
- • MSc Architecture
Medical University of Vienna
Best for: Medicine · Biomedical Research
- • MD Human Medicine (German)
- • MSc Molecular Biology
- • PhD programmes
University of Graz
Best for: Sciences · Humanities · Business · Law
- • MSc Sustainability
- • MSc Molecular Microbiology
- • MA Business
- • MA English Studies
University of Innsbruck
Best for: Life Sciences · Earth Sciences · Business
- • MSc Earth Sciences
- • MSc Mountain Studies
- • MSc Information Systems
- • MA Business
FH Wien der WKW (Applied Sciences)
Best for: Business · Communication · Finance · Tourism
- • BA Marketing
- • MA Financial Management
- • BA Tourism Mgmt.
- • MA Communication Mgmt.
What can you study in Austria?
From €1,453/yr public Masters to FH applied sciences — all with growing English-taught options.
MSc / MA (Public University)
MSc / MA (FH Applied Sciences)
MSc Engineering · CS · Data
MD Human Medicine
Music / Arts (Private)
Bachelor's Programmes
Admission requirements & journey
- Bachelor's with strong GPA (relevant subject match)
- English proficiency (IELTS 6.5+ / TOEFL 90+) for English-taught
- German B2 for German-taught programmes
- Statement of Purpose + 2 LORs
- CV / work experience (FH / MA programmes)
- APS certificate (German-speaking countries)
- Valid passport · financial statements
Intakes: Winter (Oct) main + Summer (March) secondary
The Winter semester (October) is the main intake. A Summer semester (March) is available for selected programmes.
Your application journey
Free Consultation
Patrick's Austria specialist assesses your profile + target intake.
Profile Assessment
Shortlist public vs FH based on budget, programme and city.
APS + Language Prep
APS certificate + German A2–B2 OR English IELTS prep.
Applications
Documents, SOP, LORs + university-specific application portals.
Receive Offer
Admission letter + university enrollment confirmation.
Student Visa + Residence
Visa D (short stay) or Residence Permit — Student (long-stay).
Pre-Departure
Health insurance (€65/mo WGKK), winter clothing, flight, banking prep.
Arrival Support
Meldezettel registration, bank account, SIM, dorm/flat move-in.
Work during studies. Stay 12 months after.
Austria lets graduates stay 12 months post-study, then transition to the Red-White-Red Card for skilled work.
20 hrs/week part-time
Admin, tutoring, hospitality, research · Vienna has strong student job market.
12 months + Red-White-Red Card
12-month residence → RWR Card after hire → PR in 5 years continuous residence.
The full picture
- International students can work up to 20 hours per week during studies, full-time during holidays.
- After graduation, Master's and PhD graduates can apply for a 12-month residence permit for job search.
- Once hired, switch to a Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte) for skilled workers.
- Permanent residency possible after 5 continuous years in Austria.
- Austria has a shortage occupation list — if your field is listed, Red-White-Red Card is easier to obtain.
- Common hiring sectors: IT, Engineering, Life Sciences, Finance, Hospitality, Research.
Red-White-Red Card requires minimum salary thresholds (around €2,900/mo gross for university graduates — lower for shortage occupations). Policies evolve — we help you verify what's current.
🇦🇹 Austria at a Glance
Where is Austria?
Central Europe · full EU + Schengen member · bordered by Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland.
Pros, cons — and whether Austria is right for you
Why choose Austria
- €726.72/semester tuition — among the most affordable in the EU
- Vienna is the world's most liveable city (10+ years running)
- Full EU + Schengen access
- Growing portfolio of English-taught Masters
- 20 hrs/week legal part-time work
- 12-month post-study residence → Red-White-Red Card
- Strong hiring in IT, Engineering, Life Sciences, Hospitality
What you should know
- German language is a real advantage (B1+ for most jobs)
- Vienna rents are moderate-high (€600-€1,000/mo for private flat)
- MedUni admission requires MedAT exam + German B2/C1
- Winters are cold (-5 to 5°C) and long
- APS certificate adds a step to the application
- Bureaucracy (Meldezettel, insurance) takes time to learn
Is Austria right for you?
- You want an affordable EU degree in a safe German-speaking country
- Vienna lifestyle (culture, music, parks, coffee) matters to you
- You're open to learning German (A2–B2)
- You value a 12-month post-study residence + Red-White-Red Card path
- You want public tuition at €1,453/yr all-in
- You expect everything in English (daily life needs German)
- You want MedUni as a backup — it's highly competitive
- You cannot show €12k–€15k/yr financial resources at visa
- You expect warm weather year-round
- You prefer short / fast-track programmes
Life in Austria as an Indian student
Indian Food
Vienna has excellent Indian restaurants + groceries (Naschmarkt + 10th district). Graz + Innsbruck have smaller but reliable options.
Community
2,500+ Indian students in Austria · ISA (Indian Student Associations) in Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck.
Weather
Four seasons · cold snowy winters (-5 to 5°C) · pleasant summers (18-28°C). Alps = winter sports haven.
Language
Many English-taught Masters · A2-B1 German makes daily life + part-time + full-time job dramatically easier.
Accommodation
Student dorms (OeAD · ÖJAB) €350–€600/mo · Private flats €600–€1,000/mo · Vienna is highest.
Money
Euro (€) · open an Austrian bank account (Erste, Raiffeisen, BAWAG) · UPI not available.
A day as a student in Austria
Breakfast
Melange coffee + Semmel bread at your dorm.
University
Lectures at Univ. Vienna / TU Wien / Graz / Innsbruck.
Mensa
Mensa subsidised meals (€5-€7) or local Würstelstand.
Research
Lab work · library · group seminar.
Part-time
20 hrs/week — admin, tutoring, hospitality, research.
Culture
Classical concert, Opera (student tickets €4-€15), Prater walk.
Dinner
Cook with flatmates — Austrian Schnitzel night is iconic.
Wind Down
Study German · plan a weekend Alps or Prague trip.
Our students in Austria
Adding fresh Austria stories soon. Meanwhile — we can share stories relevant to your programme.
📸 Austria through our eyes
Placeholder tiles — real Austria photos can be dropped in later.
Austria — frequently asked questions
We guide you into Austria — step by step.
Ready to explore Austria?
Whether it's a Masters at TU Wien, Business at Univ. Vienna, or MedUni Wien — we'll help you shortlist and prepare.
Talk to an Austria Specialist
A senior counsellor will call you within 24 hours — free and no obligation.