Hi there guys! I am going to list some observations regarding studying in Austria! If you’re thinking about studying in Austria, read on!
- There are mostly 4 types of higher education institutions in Austria: public universities, universities of applied sciences, private universities and teacher education colleges. Which type of institution you will be studying in depends on your field of study. You will most likely be studying in one of the first 3 types of institutions mentioned above. Teacher education colleges are for students who want to become school teachers.
- Austria has adopted a three-cycle degree system established by the Bologna process where Bachelors programs take 3 years, Masters programs take 1-2 years and PhD takes 3-4 years. Admission requirements vary depending on the degree program, institution and which country you’re from. I will provide specific information on this later.
- Public universities do not charge tuition if you are a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland. However, keep in mind that even for international students from other countries, tuition fees are not that high; you might be exempted from paying tuition, depending on which country you’re from! Universities of applied sciences charge minimal tuition fees if you are a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland while fees for students from other countries are higher and depend on the institution. Private universities charge substantially higher fees for all foreign students!
- There are grants/scholarships/fellowships etc for international students mostly at the Masters/PhD level offered by universities and external organizations! I will definitely elaborate on this later.
- Living expenses can add up to quite a lot, depending on where you live, so keep that in mind.
- Regarding employment prospects in Austria, I would like to warn you that it’s not easy to find a job. Most people I know who studied there, could not find a decent job. It’s somewhat better for a technical person and networking helps. So keep that in mind!
- Austria is beautiful! On top of having a social life and making connections make sure you take part in outdoor activities and enjoy nature, specially during the summer! Winters are cold and snowy, so make sure you’re prepared for that!
Cheers and have fun!
