STUDY IN AUSTRIA

It may be relatively small, but Austria has much to offer as a study destination, including a number of universities which rank among the world's best.
In terms of area, Austria is no bigger than the US state of Maine, and in terms of population, it is home to fewer people than London or Paris – but Austria should not be judged by its size.
This is, after all, the nation which gave us Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sigmund Freud and Ludwig Wittgenstein (and let’s not forget: Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Von Trappe family).

Once upon a time, this alpine nation was also the dominant political and military force in Europe, and though it perhaps doesn’t quite enjoy this level of power today, it is still an influential and eminent part of the continent.
Sandwiched between Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary (with which it was once unified), Switzerland, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Lichtenstein, Austria is located pretty much in the dead center of Europe, forming a bridge between east and west.
It is dominated by the Alps in its southeast and center, and the Danube – 10% of which lies within the nation’s borders – on which the capital city Vienna was built.
Said city is home to over a quarter of Austria’s population, and boasts the world’s highest quality of living (according to the Economist Intelligence Unit and the Mercer Survey). It is one of Europe’s great cultural capitals, and for fans of architecture, music and art is not to be missed.
In terms of higher education, Austria’s system is extremely internationalized. More than 15% of the total tertiary enrolment in the country is made up of international students, rising up to more than 20% if only advanced research programs are considered.
In fact, according to the OECD, 1.6% of all international students study in Austria – not a bad figure at all for a nation of such diminutive proportions.
The nation’s leading university, Universität Wien, sits at 160 in the 2012/13 QS World University Rankings, and is joined by Technische Universität Wien (274), Universität Innsbruck (276), Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz (373), Johannes Kepler Universität Linz (451-500), Paris Lodron Universität Salzburg (551-600) and Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt (601+).

• Federal republic, split into nine states
• Parliamentary democracy, headed by president and chancellor, with bicameral legislature
• Landlocked country in central Europe, with an estimated population of 8,217,280 (according to the CIA World Factbook) and a total area of 32,377 square miles
• Dialling code is +43
• Uses Central European Time (UTC+1)
• Austrian males must serve for six months in the military on reaching 18, and remain on reserve duty for eight years
• Official language is German
• Currency is euro (€)
• Predominantly Roman Catholic
• Capital city is Vienna, which is by far the largest city in the country

Find out more about some of Austria's top student cities...

VIENNA

Austria’s capital and biggest city by far is home to a number of universities, among them the country’s two best according to the QS World University Rankings. Combined with a diverse student population and high quality of living, this propels Vienna into the top ten of the QS Best Student Cities ranking.
Unsurprisingly given the city’s cultural heritage, Vienna is also home to a number of prestigious academies dedicated to fine art and music. If you’re inclined towards these disciplines, where better than the city of Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart, Fuchs, Klimt and Loos – amongst others?
It is a famously beautiful city – almost half of which is given over to green spaces – dominated by baroque architecture, magnificent palaces and some of the world’s most celebrated museums, and is also renowned for its cafes and desserts.

INNSBRUCK

Twice host to the Winter Olympics, alpine city Innsbruck is a paradise for those with a passion for the piste.
It is also known for being a student-friendly town, with a large number of pubs, bars and clubs, for those who are that way inclined. And during the day, you’ll be met with a charming historical town surrounded by lush greenery and imposing mountains.
The city’s leading institution, Universität Innsbruck (which dates back to the 17th century), is joined by a number of others, including medical and management schools.

SALZBURG

Salzburg is one of Austria’s most popular tourist destinations. It is a well preserved historical city, presided over by the imposing Festung Hohensalzburg, a 16th century (in its current form – construction actually started in the 11th) fortress that sits on a mountain overlooking the town, and boasts an old town that has earned World Heritage Site status.
But it’s no time capsule, and in its bars, cultural institutions (modern and traditional), and winter sport there’s no shortage of things to do once you’re done with the tourist trail.

GRAZ

Austria’s second largest city has a reputation for being a student town. Indeed, around one in five people who live in the Graz are studying in one of its many universities, the best known of which is Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz.
Unsurprisingly then, it offers a vibrant nightlife, offsetting the famously relaxed attitude of the city during the day. It is also renowned for its food, due to its location at the heart of Styria, which means that a wide range of fresh produce is always available.
The city itself has been afforded the status of a culinary region as a result of the Krauthäuptel – a unique variety of lettuce.

LINZ

Perhaps not as well known as the historical and alpine cities which tourists tend to favour, Linz is nonetheless Austria’s third biggest city.
Don’t think that this thoroughly modern city is devoid of the cultural draw of the country’s other cities – it was, as a matter of fact, European Capital of Culture in 2009.
This was largely the result of a drive to enliven a less aesthetically charming city with daring contemporary architecture, which has seen the city transformed into a gleaming, sleek 21st urban space.
However, this is not to say that Linz lacks old world charm either – there are plenty of traditional cafes and bars, and you can always catch a concert at the Brucknerhaus - named after one of the region’s most famous sons, Anton Bruckner - or enjoy a day at the Lentos Art Museum.
To apply to study in Austria, you should apply directly to the university at which you wish to study.
Your secondary qualifications must be considered to be of an equivalent level to those offered in Austria, and must be sufficient to gain entry to a similar program in the country where it was earned.
You will also need to prove that you speak German to the level stipulated by the university. The vast majority of courses in Austria are taught in German, though English is widely spoken as a second language.
If you are applying to a universität der künste (university of the arts), then you will have to sit an entrance examination.
As with other countries in the EEA, fees and visa requirements depend on whether or not you are a citizen on of an EEA nation.

Applicants from the EEA (and Switzerland)

• Entitled to the same free education as local students. However you will have to pay fees if you take over two semesters more than the standard amount of time to complete your course.
• Do not require a visa to enter or study in Austria.
• Must demonstrate you have enough money to pay your living expenses and have purchased medical insurance (preferential rates of EU$32 per month are available to students) to local municipal authority.

Applicants from outside the EEA

• Must pay fees of US$485 per semester
• Must apply for the appropriate residence permit (D) from local Austrian embassy (if you are from a nation which does not require a visa to enter the country you can do this in Austria, otherwise you must apply from your country of residence).
• In order to get this, you must show a letter of acceptance, proof that you have found somewhere to live, proof that you have purchased medical insurance, a photo, your birth certificate, proof of sufficient financial means (deemed to be €438 – or US$585 – per month; you need to have enough for 12 months), proof you have somewhere to stay, and a police certificate where appropriate.
• If you have to sit an entrance exam, you will be issued a conditional letter of admission and only have to demonstrate credibly that you will have sufficient financial means and accommodation when applying for your permit. Pass your exam and you will have to provide more solid proof.
• However, if you do not need a visa to enter Austria, then you can simply sit your exam and then apply for a residence permit while there.
• Must apply to Labour Service if you want to work.

UNIVERSITIES IN AUSTRIA

Rank  Universities             Locations

1  Universität Wien

Vienna

2  Technische Universität Wien

Vienna

3  Universität Innsbruck

Innsbruck

4  Technische Universität Graz

Graz

5  Universität Graz

Graz

6  Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

Vienna

7  Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien

Vienna

8  Johannes Kepler Universität Linz

Linz

9  Donau-Universität Krems

Krems an der Donau

10  Universität Salzburg

Salzburg

11  Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt

Klagenfurt ...

12  Medizinische Universität Wien

Vienna

13  Montanuniversität Leoben

Leoben

14  Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz

Graz ...

15  Medizinische Universität Graz

Graz

16  FH Joanneum

Graz

17  FH Oberösterreich

Wels ...

18  Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien

Vienna

19  Fachhochschule Salzburg

Puch bei Hallein ...

20  Akademie der Bildenden Künste Wien

Vienna

21  Universität Mozarteum Salzburg

Salzburg

22  Universität für Künstlerische und Industrielle Gestaltung Linz

Linz

23  Fachhochschule Technikum Wien

Vienna

24  MCI Management Center Innsbruck

Innsbruck

25  Fachhochschule Vorarlberg

Dornbirn

26  Fachhochschule Kärnten

Spittal an der Drau ...

27  Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien

Vienna

28  Private Universität für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Medizinische Informatik und Technik

Hall

29  Fachhochschule Kufstein

Kufstein

30  IMC Fachhochschule Krems

Krems an der Donau

31  Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien

Vienna

32  Medizinische Universität Innsbruck

Innsbruck

33  Fachhochschule Campus Wien

Vienna

34  Fachhochschule Wiener Neustadt

Wiener Neustadt

35  Fachhochschulstudiengänge Burgenland

Eisenstadt ...

36  Fachhochschule St. Pölten

St. Pölten

37  FHWien der WKW

Vienna

38  Fachhochschule des bfi Wien

Vienna

39  Pädagogische Hochschule Wien

Vienna

40  Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität

Salzburg

41  Webster University, Vienna

Vienna ...

42  CAMPUS 02 Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft

Graz

43  Katholisch-Theologische Privatuniversität Linz

Linz

44  MODUL University Vienna

Vienna

45  Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität

Linz

46  Diplomatische Akademie Wien

Vienna

47  Sigmund Freud Privatuniversität Wien

Vienna

48  Pädagogische Hochschule Oberösterreich

Linz

49  Pädagogische Hochschule Kärnten

Klagenfurt

50  Lauder Business School

Vienna

51  Pädagogische Hochschule Steiermark

Graz

52  Konservatorium Wien Privatuniversität

Vienna

53  Hochschule für Agrar- und Umweltpädagogik

Vienna

54  Pädagogische Hochschule Tirol

Innsbruck

55  Pädagogische Hochschule Salzburg

Salzburg

56  Privatuniversität der Kreativwirtschaft

St. Pölten

57  Pädagogische Hochschule Vorarlberg

Feldkirch

58  Pädagogische Hochschule Niederösterreich

Baden

59  Private Pädagogische Hochschule der Diözese Linz

Linz

60  Kirchliche Pädagogische Hochschule Graz

Graz

61  PEF Privatuniversität für Management Wien

Vienna

62  Kirchliche Pädagogische Hochschule Wien/Krems

Vienna ...

63  Privatuniversität Schloss Seeburg

Seekirchen am Wallersee

64  Private Pädagogische Hochschule Stiftung Burgenland

Eisenstadt

65  Kirchliche Pädagogische Hochschule Edith Stein

Innsbruck ...