Do I need a preparatory year?

Austria has no compulsory Studienkolleg like Germany. If your certificate is recognized as equivalent and grants access to your field, you can enroll directly. The preparatory course (Vorstudienlehrgang, VWU) is only for sitting required supplementary exams (Ergänzungsprüfung) or improving your German. We map the exact path during a consultation.

Can I study in English?

Yes, there are English-taught programs. German-taught ones usually require an ÖSD or Goethe certificate at the required level (the level depends on the program).

Is studying really free?

It's free only for EU/EEA citizens within the standard duration of study. Non-EU students pay 726.72 € per semester at public universities. Everyone pays the ÖH fee. So “free” applies to the EU, not to everyone.

How much money do I need for the residence permit?

Non-EU applicants need the “Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Student” permit: proof of sufficient means per the official monthly rate (Richtsatz, which differs by age and changes every year) for 12 months ahead. It's a means threshold, not a blocked account as in Germany. We'll give you the exact figure during your consultation.

Is there a central application system like uni-assist?

No. In Austria you apply directly to each university — there's no central platform or uni-assist equivalent. Documents and deadlines differ by university; programs with entrance procedures have separate registration and dates.

Medicine — how do I apply?

Through the MedAT entrance exam (once a year, usually in July, in German). Human medicine has quotas: at least 75% of places go to Austrian Matura holders, at least 95% to the EU, and at most 5% to third-country applicants. For non-EU applicants this is very competitive; we handle it separately, tailored to your profile.

What are the application deadlines?

There's a winter and a summer intake. The general admission deadline usually ends around 5 September and 5 February, but it's earlier and separate for non-EU applicants and programs with an Aufnahmeverfahren. Exact dates depend on the university and program and need to be confirmed individually.

Admissions · Austria

Studying at universities in Austria

Free for EU citizens (non-EU: 726.72 €/semester), with programs in German and English and often a more direct path with no compulsory preparatory year. We'll map a route for your situation and guide you through to enrollment.

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Admission pathway

After secondary school

certificate · equivalence check

VWU / Ergänzungsprüfung (if needed)

German · missing subjects

Bachelor's at a university

direct application · enrollment

Admission is usually direct; a Vorstudienlehrgang is needed only for missing subjects or German — depending on your situation.

Why Austria

Strong universities and modest fees in the German-speaking EU

Free for EU, low fees for non-EU

EU/EEA students study free within the standard duration; non-EU students pay 726.72 € per semester. Plus the mandatory ÖH fee.

Programs in German and English

You can study in English; German-taught programs require a language certificate at the required level.

Degrees recognized worldwide

Austrian university degrees are recognized across the EU and worldwide.

A future in the EU job market

A degree opens the door to a career in Europe and a post-study job-search year.

How it works

Admission to Austria — step by step, fact by fact

The essentials at a glance: certificate and recognition, language, applications, deadlines, residence and finances. Exact figures change every year — we mark them “to be confirmed.”

School & recognition: Your school-leaving certificate must be equivalent to the Austrian Matura; non-EU applicants also need eligibility for the chosen field back home (Studienplatznachweis). Missing subjects or German are made up through supplementary exams (Ergänzungsprüfung). The exact path depends on your situation.
Language of instruction: German or English; German-taught programs usually require ÖSD or Goethe at B2–C1 — level depends on the program
How you apply: Directly to each university — Austria has no central platform or uni-assist; medicine (MedAT) and some fields run a separate Aufnahmeverfahren with earlier deadlines.
Semesters & deadlines: Winter and summer semester; the general admission deadline is usually around 5 September and 5 February, but earlier for non-EU applicants and entrance-exam programs — dates depend on the program
Residence & finances: For non-EU applicants: the “Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Student” residence permit, with proof of means per the annual rate (Richtsatz) for 12 months ahead depends on your situation plus insurance. This is a means threshold, not a German-style blocked account.
Extra costs: ÖH fee (≈ 26 €/semester, insurance included), ÖGK health insurance, consular fee, language courses or the VWU, accommodation — amounts depend on your situation

Figures (tuition, ÖH fee, means threshold, deadlines, language levels) are updated every year and confirmed for your specific program, your current education and your individual circumstances. We'll give you the exact numbers during your consultation.

Admission pathways

Choose a path based on your starting point

Bachelor's

Requirements, programs and applying for your first degree.

Open path

We'll guide you all the way to enrollment

The Complete Admission Programme (UniApply) runs all 16 steps — from strategy to enrollment and your first steps on the ground.

3 997 €

a reference price for the entire cycle. The final cost depends on the scope of work: with a strong profile and less work involved it is lower. We will tell you your price at the eligibility interview.

Covers our work for the entire admission cycle. University/uni-assist fees, visa fees, insurance and the blocked account are paid separately.

Guarantee Year¹ — if you are not admitted on the first attempt, we run a repeat support cycle at no additional service fee. This is not a guarantee of admission.

About the Complete Programme Guarantee+ tier premium

Not ready for the Complete Programme?

Start with a single service — the payment is credited when you move up.

Career Guidanceif you haven't chosen a field yet · 297 € Admission Assessment & Strategyyour chances and a step-by-step plan · 197 € University Programme Selectionup to 10 university degree programmes matched to your profile · 197 €

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Where you are now — and what to do next

Answer 2 questions about your situation — we'll suggest the method step and a suitable service.

2 000+

admitted

500+

universities we place into

50+

method partners

20+

years of work

100%

admitted via the full package²

Method partners

The StudyInFocus method is supported by

Banks, insurers, language schools and Studienkollegs at the finance and preparation stages. This is not a list of universities we place into.

How the method works

FintibaExpatrioCoracleTKBarmer Language schools Private Studienkollegs

Names and logos are the property of their owners; mentioned as StudyInFocus method partners. Not advertising of third parties.

FAQ

Admission

Let's find your path to Austria

Tell us your level and field — we'll show you the right page and your next step. Not ready? Start with a free service consultation.

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¹ Guarantee year. A repeat support cycle at no extra service fee — per the contract terms. Applies to the full package and admission to a public university. Not a guarantee of admission; the decision is made by the university/government body.

² 100%. Over the last 8 years among clients who chose the full programme. "2,000+ admitted" is counted across all clients — these are different bases.