As a country of picturesque landscapes, fascinating architecture, and an extraordinary quality of life, Austria is one of the top destinations for international students! Apart from offering all-year-round scenic vistas, Austria is the home to some of the best universities in the world.
More than 70 000 students from all over the world are already charmed enough by the breath-taking beauty Austria has to offer! Studying in Austria is entirely cost-free for all the students coming from EU countries. However, there are multiple scholarships in Austria for international students coming from abroad and many are worth looking into them.
Living costs in Austria for international students
Choosing to live and study in Austria’s capital, Vienna, is a high-priced decision, therefore it’s not uncommon to pick a university located outside of the country’s most expensive city. The living expenses in this magnificent country also depend on whether you select a private or a public university.
However, the Austrian Student Union and the Austrian Exchange Service provide international students with the options of affordable shared housing and dormitory stay. Students who choose this option pay approximately $300 a month, whereas the expenses of students who live alone can go up to $500.
The average cumulative expenses of living in Austria vary from $1,000 to $1,200 a month, including food, transportation, and entertainment.
Can international students work in Austria?
As is the case with tuition-free studying, students from the EU countries planning to study in Austria might be delighted to know that they can work while studying without any additional paperwork. However, students whose permanent residency is outside this area need to provide their Student Residence Permit. Holding this document allows international students to obtain a work permit and seek out potential job opportunities.
Top universities in Austria
If you decide to study in the land of Mozart, you will quickly discover that apart from its incredible culture, Austria holds some of the most prestigious universities in the world!
University of Vienna
One of the largest and oldest universities in Europe, the University of Vienna, is the choice of 90 000 students. Welcoming students from 140 different countries and offering their students more than 170 different degree programs is what places this university at the top of any list of noteworthy universities.
University of Innsbruck
Located in a mountain area, the University of Innsbruck is a top priority choice for all winter sports enthusiasts. With more than 100 academic programs, this university quickly became a highly sought renown institution.
University of Graz
The second oldest university in the country, situated at the heart of the European Capital of Culture, offers more than 120 programs to its prospective students. If you dream of pursuing your degree at a university where 6 Nobel laureates have done the same, the University of Graz is a perfect place for you!
Best Scholarships in Austria
1. University of Vienna Summer School Scholarships
Students looking for an amazing opportunity to learn German and understand the EU political culture and institutions should be thrilled to find out about this opportunity. Mainly targeted towards students of Humanities and Social sciences, this Austria scholarship covers the expenses of the European studies section of the summer school.
However, the accommodation and other expenses which sum up to 3585$ should be covered by the applicants. Students who have successfully completed two years of studies in their native country and achieved academic excellence are welcome to apply. Apart from providing evidence of proficiency in English, applicants need to fill in a form for financial assistance.
2. Central European University Scholarships and Tuition Awards
If you are looking for a chance to pursue your Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree in Social Sciences or Humanities, CEU grants can help you fulfill your dreams. In search of highly-talented academics, Central European University offers fully funded scholarships in Austria to international students from all around the globe.
The awarded grants are mainly based on students’ academic merits, but financial need is also taken into consideration. Upon successfully submitting their documents, the next part of the selection process is an interview with prospective scholarship holders.
3. DOC (Doctoral Fellowship Programme of the Austrian Academy of Sciences)
Not limited to any field of research, the DOC program offers Austria scholarships up to $45,000 per year to outstanding researchers who intend on completing their doctoral thesis in Austria. However, although the fellowship is open to academics from all over the world, in order to be eligible to apply, they need to be enrolled as a doctoral candidate at an Austrian university beforehand.
The selection is mainly based on candidates’ qualifications and their publications. Although there is no age limit for the prospective candidates, they are supposed to have obtained their Master’s degree not prior than 2 years before applying for this program.
4. University of Klagenfurt Technology Scholarships
If your academic goals are to reach your excellence in Austria, University of Klagenfurt offers international students a chance to pursue their academic work here. Recent graduates who want to pursue a Master’s degree programme in Mathematics, Computer science or Engineering are welcome to apply.
However, although these Austria scholarships are open to international students, only students from a limited list of countries are eligible to apply. Therefore, it would be best to check if your country is on the University’s list. Successful scholarship holders will be awarded a monthly scholarship of 770$, exemption from any tuition fees and covered travel costs.
5. Scholarship Foundation of the Republic of Austria
Students who dream of spending some time exploring the diverse academic life in Austria may apply for the Austrian Government scholarship. Although limited to only 4 months stay, this is a perfect opportunity for foreign students, given that it’s open to all degree levels and various areas of study. This scholarship in Austria awards around 1300$ each month to the holders, with the additional sum for travel expenses granted to the applicants outside of the EU.
Whether you decide to study in Austria due to its awe-striking mountaintops, or you prefer to spend your time in bustling cities, you will likely find the best financial solution to pursue your desires with these scholarships in Austria!
