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Study in Austria: Step by Step guide for international students

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Study in Austria: Step by Step guide for international students. Planning to study in Austria? Ask scholars presents a complete guide for International Students in this blog.

This blog covers the following points.

General Information about Austria

Austria is a member of the European Union. It has been located in the centre of Europe. It borders eight countries, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia and Lichtenstein. Vienna is the Capital of Austria. Other large cities are Graz, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck.

The quality of life is generally very high in Austria. It is a small country, but the transport system is quite advanced. Normally busses, trams and trains are available to move around. It has a very strong economy. 

The country is full of lakes (natural and artificial) and rivers.

It is one of the greenest countries in Europe as Forests cover 46% of the country.

Austria is the perfect place for international students from all over the world. While, Many international students come for higher education in Austria every year.

Higher Education system of Austria

Austria has more than 80 Higher Education Institutions in all nine federal provinces. It has a three-cycle higher education system consisting of bachelors, masters and doctoral studies. 

Diploma studies have a duration of 8 to 10 semesters. Bachelor’s programmes have a duration between 6 and 8 semesters. While master’s programmes last between 2 and 4 semesters. Doctoral programmes have a duration up to 6 semesters. 

Austria has more than 25% of international students at the moment in universities. The main language of instruction is German in Austrian universities while programmes taught in English also.

There are Public Universities, Private Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences for international students. While, Public Universities have an enormous variety in terms of educational offerings. So, These universities are categorized as follows.

  • General & specialized universities.
  • Medical universities.
  • Universities of the Arts.
  • Technical Universities.

Austrian private universities offer innovative and high-quality education and provide students with personal attention at the highest academic level.

Academic Calendar in Austria:

The academic year in Austria begins on October 1st and ends on September 30th of the following year.

It consists of two semesters, including winter and summer semester. 

Winter semester has a duration from October 1st to January 30th. Deadline to apply in the university for the Winter semester is 1 May to the 5th of September each year.

While Summer semester starts from March 1st to September 30th.Deadline to apply in the university for the Summer semester is 1 December to 5th of February each year.

Admission dates for both intakes can vary for each university.

How to apply in Austrian University? 

Universities organize admission process by themselves in Austria. Once a student has shortlisted a programme, he/she should contact the university offers a specific programme. Admission department can exactly inform you of complete information and requirement about the course or programme. 

Application forms can be found on the university website.

While, Students need to fill out an application form and submit an application directly to the Admission office of selected university with all required documents.

Send one hard copy of the complete application by post on university address. The registrar’s office will notify you of the outcome of your application in writing after the decision is made.

Sometimes the university conducts a special admission process, for a particular course.

The special admission process is being carried out by the university as the number of registrations exceeds the specified limit.

Let suppose the university will award 50 study places in a programme but registrations in programme are more than 50. Then through the special admission process, 50 candidates are shortlisted for programme.

Entry Requirements for a University in Austria 

So, What are the entry requirements of the university, clearly depends upon which programme you have in mind. While, You must take the entry test of the university in most cases. If you clear the entry test, then you can start the further process.

Entry Requirements For Diploma studies & Bachelor Degrees

An applicant must have 12 years of education, either he/she wants to take admission in diploma studies or a bachelor’s degree in medicine, engineering, arts or any other field of study.

For each university and course, entry requirements are different.

It’s always recommended checking the university website to understand the basic criteria for a particular course.

If the school-leaving certificate is not equivalent to the Austrian one, then the applicant needs to appear in the entrance exam to get admission.

Required Documents for Diploma studies & Bachelor Degrees admissions

  • Proof of nationality (photocopy of your passport).
  • An equivalent secondary School leaving Certificate.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) & Motivation Letter. 
  • One Academic reference & one personal reference letter. 
  • TOEFL internet-based test (95 points minimum) or  IELTS (6 points minimum).
  • German language proficiency proof for courses taught in German.
  • Attach Tuition Fee Receipt of course in which you are enrolled.
  • University entrance qualification certificate.

Entry Requirements for a Master Degree

So, To meet the entry requirements for master’s level studies, the student must have 16 years of education from the university in his/her homeland.

That means you should have a Bachelor’s degree in hand to get admission to a master’s degree. 

While, An English language test is required for admission in master’s courses.

Required Documents for Master’s degree admissions

  • Proof of nationality (photocopy of your passport)
  • An equivalent secondary School leaving Certificate.
  • Bachelor’s degree Certificates & Transcripts.   
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) & Motivation Letter. 
  • One Academic reference & one personal reference letter. 
  • TOEFL internet-based test (95 points minimum) or  IELTS (6 points minimum).
  • German language proficiency proof for courses taught in German.
  • Payment Proof of University Tuition Fees. 
  • University entrance qualification certificate.

Important points for preparation to get admission 

Procedure for Entrance Exams 

The University gives you notice of admission with the condition of completing your admission by taking an entrance exam.

You register as a non-degree student during this period and submit your entrance exam.

Once you pass the exam, inform university. Now the university will register you as a regular student in the degree programme specified in your notice of admission.

University preparation Programmes 

These programmes offer many courses for international students to prepare them for entrance exams.

You can enroll in German and English language courses.

Other programmes that you can enroll are in Mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history and geography.

Application Process for visa in Austrian Embassy 

Once you get an acceptance letter from the university and submit following documents in Austrian Embassy. Make an appointment before visiting embassy. While, You are expected to wait for one to four weeks for the processing and approval of your student visa. It’s better to start the process early. 

Required documents for Visa:

  • High School certificate for Admission in Bachelor’s Degree.
  • Bachelor’s Degree for Admission in Master’s Program.
  • Master’s Degree or Equivalent for Admission in Post Graduate (PhD Program).
  • Transcripts of Academic Certificates.
  • IELTS or TOEFL.
  • Passport.
  • Two Recent Passport size photographs.
  • Letter of Health Insurance & Police clearance certificate. 
  •  Bank Statement.

What is Total Cost for Austrian Student Visa?

The cost has been broken into two parts. Austria is considered one of the richest countries in the world. The currency in Austria has been Euro since 2002.

What is Tuition fee in Austria?

At Public Universities, Tuition fee range from 370 EUR to 750 EUR per semester.

Private universities charge tuition fee and it varies for each Institution. The Universities of Applied Sciences also charge tuition fees.

What is Living Cost in Austria?

The living cost is not high in Austria as compared to other European universities. living cost depends upon the students and how they want to live. Big cities are more expensive than in smaller towns.

We present standards here set by universities and Government in terms of accommodation and other daily charges. While, The average monthly living expenses for a student in Austria are approximately 950 EUR.

During the visa process, a student needs to show a bank statement for one-year living expenses to get approval from the embassy. Total EUR 11400 should be shown in the Bank statement as one-year living expenses.

But the cost can be reduced by sharing accommodation and managing other daily expenses.

If a student lives in a student hall of residence provided by the university, the Accommodation charges are EUR 400 approximately, which includes rent and other arrangements from the university.

Private flat-sharing has rent per month from EUR 200 to EUR 400. 

Private flat-sharing is another option, it’s cheaper for study in Austria also.  

Food expenses in Austria are EUR 250 per month approximately.

There are many discount stores, which offer food at reasonable prices. While, Universities have cafeterias with cheap meals and cafe. 

Public transport and other cultural places like theaters and museums offer discounts to students. 

Are you planning to move to Austria with your family with Study visa?

While, Check all particular information about matters related to family mobility on www.euraxess.at

Scholarships for in Austria 

So, There are different kinds of scholarships in Austria for International students.

The biggest online database for scholarships and research grants in Austria www.grants.at. It is always up to date with systematic search options. The information about more than 1200 financial support funds available here.

On grants.at, you can find grants for whole degree programmes. Even grants for one semester or one year are also available here. While, You can find allowances details, subsidies, awards and prizes in a particular course or programme here. Meanwhile, Information about research grants and universities’ individual grants in different field of studies available here.

OeAD scholarship programmes for undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates, doctoral  Students and researchers. 

The LogiCS doctoral program is a PhD degree program funded. While, This LogiCS program is aimed at highly motivated students. There are many Universities which are collaborating with LogiCS doctoral program to create opportunities for young researchers.

Republic of Austria is foundation which offers fully funded scholarships for Undergraduates, Graduates, and Postgraduates studies.

Austrian Government Scholarship program for developing countries students. It is called The International Civilian Peacekeeping and Peace-building Training Programme (IPT). This program offers training in different fields to International applicants.

The Province Of Burgenland is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by Austrian Government. While, It can be applied for Undergraduates, Graduates, and Postgraduates studies.The value of the scholarship is EUR 600 per semester. 

Talent Austria Scholarships For Doctoral Candidates is a Partial Funding international scholarship offered by the Austrian Government.

ImPulsTanz danceWEB Scholarship is another fully funded scholarship offered by Austrian Governement.

While, Universities offer scholarships  to international students directly. Meanwhile, You can check here 20 Universities in Austria offer Free Education (Low tuition fee & Scholarships). So, Contact directly to particular institutions for details about scholarships.

So, Here are more scholarship’s links in Austria. While, Majority of them are fully funded scholarships and are available for International students. So, Check these links for details.

How to Stay in Austria after completing studies?

Non-EU students need a valid resident permit to stay in Austria, once the study visa expires. While, Austria gives job search visa of one year to Non-EU students who have completed studies. Meanwhile, This rule applies on bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and PhD. 

Job search visa should be applied before a student visa expires.

Once you have found job during your stay on the job search visa. While, You will get 2 years’ work visa by attaching job contract from your employer. Meanwhile, This 2 years’ work permit is renewable. 

While, You can start your own business after studies and can convert job search visa into business visa. 

Job Opportunities in Austria

You can work part-time during your stay as a student. While, You are allowed to work 20 hours per week.

Just check around, you would find part-time job opportunities and pick one suitable to your needs. 

While, Part-time jobs can be  as restaurant waiters, hotel staff, bartenders, sales person, store clerks, delivery jobs, cashiers and tutoring a foreign language.

So, You can earn between EUR 600 and EUR 1000 per month with part time jobs. 

While, the best way to start your professional career is internships. Meanwhile, These internships are available in many areas. Universities also recommends students for internships. You cannot rule out on campus job opportunities also.

Once you complete your degree, that you would like to start your professional career. While, The most common jobs are in these fields.

  • Engineering
  • Business management 
  • Web developer 
  • Marketing 
  • Medicine 

Universities in Austria 

Universities of the Arts

General & specialised universities

Medical universities

Technical Universities

Finally, You can approach Consult Studies Abroad for Guidance about scholarships, University admissions, and much more useful information. Because We prepare a strong Scholarship Application by emphasizing Personal statements and Motivation letters. Meanwhile, We Prepare Scholarship Applications for all countries.

Lastly, write your questions about ” Study in Austria: Step by Step guide for international students ” in comment section.

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