Studying In Austria: Free Education For Uk Citizens?

Austria is a popular destination for international students, offering low tuition fees, a high quality of life, and a vibrant cultural scene. But can UK citizens study for free in Austria?

Austria has a similar higher education system to other European countries, with a mix of public and private universities. Public universities are state-funded and free for locals, with EU/EEA students only paying nominal fees and international students paying affordable fees. Private universities, on the other hand, are significantly more expensive and set their own rates.

So, can UK citizens study for free in Austria? The answer is a little complicated. As a non-EU country, UK citizens are considered international students and are subject to tuition fees. However, these fees are relatively low compared to other countries, with a semester fee of around €726 on average. Additionally, there are exceptions for students from certain developing countries, and some Universities of Applied Sciences offer tuition-free programs for non-EU citizens.

Therefore, while UK citizens may not be able to study completely for free in Austria, they can still benefit from the country's relatively low tuition fees and high quality of life.

UK citizens need to apply for a student 'Aufenthaltsbewilligung' entry or residence permit if they plan to study in Austria for more than six months

UK Citizens Studying in Austria for More Than Six Months

If you are a UK citizen or a citizen from outside the EU and plan to study in Austria for more than six months, you will need to apply for a student 'Aufenthaltsbewilligung' entry or residence permit. This is a mandatory requirement and must be done before entering Austria to begin your studies. The application process can take several months, so it is advisable to start the process as soon as you have chosen your programme to secure your spot.

Application Process

The application process for the permit involves providing the following:

• Proof of valid health insurance
• Sufficient financial resources to cover living expenses during your stay
• Registration of your residence with the local registration office within three working days of your arrival

Visa Application

In addition to the Aufenthaltsbewilligung, you will also need to apply for a visa to study in Austria. This can be done at the nearest Austrian embassy or consulate office in your home country or directly in Austria at the foreign registration office of the town where your university is located.

Financial Requirements

Austrian embassies will require international applicants to demonstrate financial proof. You must present sufficient financial means to finance your stay in Austria. Students up to 24 years of age must prove at least €552 per month, while students 24 years or older must show at least €1,000.48 per month. These amounts must be proven for 12 months in advance and can be demonstrated through a savings or bank account, a Declaration of Guarantee from an Austrian resident, or confirmation of a scholarship/grant award.

Accommodation

If your accommodation costs exceed €294.65 per month, which is likely, you will need to provide additional funds to cover the difference.

Educational Documents

Your educational documents, such as your secondary school certificate or diploma, must have an apostille, be translated, and notarized. The apostille should be obtained from an organization in your home country, which can take up to two months.

Entrance Examinations

Many Austrian universities require applicants to participate in entrance examinations and interviews as part of the admission process. It is recommended to travel to Austria for these tests and schedule appointments with multiple universities to complete them within 1-2 weeks.

Visa Application Timeline

The entire process, from gathering documents to receiving the residence permit card, can take around three months or more. Therefore, it is crucial to start the process early and allow ample time for each step.

To obtain a student visa, UK citizens will need to show proof of valid health insurance and sufficient funds to cover their living expenses

To study in Austria, UK citizens will need to apply for a student visa or a residence permit. This is because, since Brexit, UK citizens are now considered third-country students.

Health Insurance

Austrian authorities require foreign students to have valid health insurance before entering the country. This insurance should provide coverage for various health issues, including COVID-19 treatment. The minimum insurance cover required is typically over 30,000 EUR, including costs for recovery, repatriation, and other assistance benefits.

EU/EEA citizens can request a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in their home country, which will provide them with the same cover as the local health fund. However, the EHIC does not cover travel protection, search and rescue, emergency dental treatments, or other assistance services, so additional private insurance is highly recommended.

Sufficient Funds

When applying for a student visa, you will need to prove that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay in Austria. The required amount depends on your age:

• Students up to 24 years of age must prove they have at least 515.30 EUR per month.
• Students 24 years of age or older must prove they have at least 933.06 EUR per month.

These amounts must be proven for a maximum of 12 months and can be demonstrated in various ways, such as:

• Savings account or bank account in your name, accessible from Austria.
• Declaration of Guarantee from a person living in Austria.
• Proof of purchase of traveller's cheques for the necessary amount.
• Confirmation of a scholarship or grant award.

If your accommodation costs exceed 294.65 EUR per month, you will need to provide additional funds to cover this.

In summary, to obtain a student visa for Austria, UK citizens must demonstrate valid health insurance with comprehensive coverage and sufficient funds to support themselves during their studies. This proof of financial stability and health coverage ensures that students can focus on their academic pursuits without undue financial or health-related concerns.

UK citizens will need to register their residence with the local registration office within three working days of their arrival in Austria

UK citizens who wish to study in Austria need to be aware of several important factors. Firstly, while education in Austria is indeed free for citizens of EU/EEA countries, UK citizens are now considered third-country nationals and will need to pay tuition fees. These fees vary depending on the type of university and programme but can range from €363.36 to €726.72 per semester for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at public universities. Private universities have higher fees, starting at €1,000 per year and going up to €40,000 per year.

Secondly, to be eligible to study in Austria, UK citizens must obtain a residence permit. This is a crucial step and needs to be done before entering Austria. The application process can take several months, so it is important to apply as early as possible. The specific rules and application process depend on the length of stay and the chosen programme.

Once UK citizens have obtained their residence permit and arrived in Austria, they will need to register their residence with the local registration office within three working days. This is a mandatory step and is separate from the residence permit application.

• Locate the local registration office (Gemeindeamt or Magistrat) in the town or city where you will be living.
• Gather the required documents, which typically include your passport or identity card, proof of address (such as a rental contract), and proof of health insurance.
• Visit the local registration office in person within three working days of your arrival. It is important to respect this deadline.
• Fill out the registration form and submit it along with the required documents. Make sure to bring all the necessary translations of your documents, as mentioned earlier.
• Pay the relevant fees, if applicable. There may be a small administrative fee for the registration process.
• Wait for the confirmation of your registration. This may take a few days to process.

By following these steps, UK citizens can ensure they comply with the legal requirements for residing in Austria and can focus on their studies and enjoying their time in this beautiful country.

UK citizens will need to provide proof of German language proficiency to be admitted to an undergraduate programme

Austria is known for its high quality of life and its universities are accessible to international students. Education is free for EU/EEA students, while non-EU/EEA students have to pay a small fee.

German is the official language of Austria and, as such, proficiency in the language is usually required for admission to an undergraduate programme. This is because German is the primary language of instruction for most undergraduate courses.

German language proficiency is assessed through examinations that test reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. These examinations are designed to ensure that applicants have the necessary language skills to succeed in an Austrian university, where the language of instruction is predominantly German.

Students can prepare for these examinations by enrolling in German language courses offered by many universities and public and private institutes. The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) and the Austrian Institute (ÖI) offer a comprehensive overview of available courses at any level through their online language portal (Sprachportal). Additionally, the EU-backed project Deutsch.info offers free online German courses for levels A1, A2, and B1 in 13 languages.

It is important to note that some Austrian universities may offer intensive German courses as part of their University Preparation Programme (UPP), allowing students to improve their language skills while also preparing for their academic studies.

UK citizens can benefit from scholarships and grants to fund their studies in Austria

UK citizens who want to study in Austria can benefit from various scholarships and grants to fund their studies. While Austria is known for its free education, this only applies to EU/EEA students. UK citizens, therefore, need to pay tuition fees, but there are still funding opportunities available to them.

The OeAD is Austria's largest scholarship and research grant database, with opportunities for undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates, doctoral students and researchers. The OeAD also provides accommodation for some grant recipients, with monthly costs ranging from 220 to 550 EUR. The application process for an OeAD scholarship depends on the specific programme, and some require admission to an Austrian university, while others do not.

There are also scholarships offered by individual universities, although these are rarer. These are worth looking into, as is the Ernst Mach Grant for doctoral students.

The Turing Scheme is another UK government programme that helps students find funding for overseas studies. To be eligible, your university must have a partnership agreement with an Austrian university.

International students in Austria can also benefit from scholarships and grants offered by Austrian organisations. These can be found on the OeAD database, grants.at. The amount of these grants is typically between 475 EUR and 679 EUR per month.

To study in Austria, UK citizens will need a student 'Aufenthaltsbewilligung' entry or residence permit. This requires proof of valid health insurance and sufficient financial resources to cover living expenses.

Frequently asked questions