AUSTRIA
AUSTRIAN
ADMISSION
Studying in Austria is regulated by each institution, but overall admission requirements are harmonized at the national level.
Universities & Fachhochschulen (Applied Sciences)
Information is accurate for academic year 2025/26; policies may change.
Admission is managed by each university—you must apply directly at your chosen institution. You typically need to submit these as part of your complete application packet.
Application Timeline
Austria offers two main intakes for higher education:
Winter Semester (starts in October)
For EU, EEA, and Swiss students the application period is from July 7 to September 5, 2025. Admission runs until October 31, 2025. The semester begins on October 1, 2025. For Non-EU/EEA students, applications are accepted from July 7 to August 1, 2025. Admission period is the same, ending October 31, 2025. Semester starts October 1, 2025. Some universities may extend deadlines in exceptional cases; always check the official university website.
Summer Semester (starts in March)
EU, EEA, and Swiss students can apply between January 8 and February 5, 2026. Admission continues until March 31, 2026. Semester starts March 1, 2026.
Non-EU/EEA students have the application window from January 8 to February 7, 2026. Admission lasts until March 31, 2026. Semester begins March 1, 2026.
Deadlines may be extended by some universities in special cases; confirm on official sites.
Entry Requirements
International students must hold a secondary school leaving certificate equivalent to Austria’s Matura, or complete at least 3 years of recognized tertiary education (≥ 180 ECTS), recognized by the university. You must demonstrate German language proficiency, unless your programme is fully offered in English. Typically a certificate of ≥ 4 years German study or a recognized German language diploma is required. For English-language programmes, proof of English proficiency (e.g. B2 or higher) may be required at certain universities.
Required Documents
A complete application generally includes: Valid passport or ID Secondary school leaving certificate (original + official/legal translation if necessary) Transcript or list of subjects (with translation if needed) Completed application and registration forms required by the university Proof of language proficiency (German and/or English) as required by your programme For third-country nationals: proof of sufficient funds, accommodation, and health insurance (if applying for residence permit)
For programmes such as medicine, psychology, arts, or technology, entrance exams or aptitude tests may be required—check specific university admission pages.
Tuition & Residence Permit (Non‑EU/EEA)
Public universities generally charge only the ÖH student union fee (≈ €21 per semester) for EU/EEA students. For non‑EU/EEA students, tuition can be around €726.72 per semester (~ €1,450/year) after the exemption period. Residence permit (“Student”) required before arrival; apply at your local Austrian diplomatic mission. Processing may take up to 90 days. You must provide: Letter of admission Proof of living cost funds (~€7,300/year for ≤ 23 years old; ~€13,200 if older) Proof of accommodation Health insurance covering minimum €30,000 medical coverage
Steps to Applying
Choose a degree program and university from UCAS.
Register and complete your application on UCAS. You can apply to up to five programs.
Submit predicted or final school results (and other relevant documents).
Await offers (conditional or unconditional) from universities.
Accept your offer through UCAS and pay any tuition deposit if required.
Apply for a student visa (Tier 4) after receiving a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Prepare for travel and arrange accommodation before the course start date.
Additional Notes
Translation and official legalization: if documents are not in German or English, they must be sworn translated and legalised per country requirements (embassy apostille, etc.). Admission for some programmes includes online pre-admission chat or scheduling at the university, such as at University of Vienna. Always refer to the official admission or international student page of your chosen Austrian university to confirm any specific requirements or deadlines.