Foreigners' Access To Free Education In Austria

Austria has a free and public school system, and education is mandatory for nine years. After this, students can choose to attend an academic school or a vocational secondary school. Expats in Austria can obtain secondary and higher education free of charge if they enrol in public educational institutions. However, foreigners often opt for international or public schools, which can cost anywhere from EUR 5,000 to EUR 60,000 per year. In terms of higher education, public universities in Austria are free for Austrian citizens and those from EU countries, while students from other countries are required to pay tuition fees.

Public schools in Austria are free for Austrian citizens and expats' children

Austria has a free and public school system, and education is mandatory for the first nine years. After four years of elementary school, students spend another four years in a school for lower secondary education or a grammar school. The final year of compulsory education is spent at a polytechnic institute.

After nine years of compulsory education, students can either take up an apprenticeship or continue their education at an institution of higher education or a vocational school. Higher education is not free for all. Austrian universities and schools are highly ranked globally, and public universities are free for Austrian and foreign students who are EU citizens. For non-EU/EEA students, tuition fees at public universities are approximately €1,500 per year, and private universities range from €3,000 to €35,000 or higher.

Foreign students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can study for free at public universities in Austria

Students from third countries (those who are not EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens) with a Residence Permit-Student are generally required to pay €726.72 per semester. This includes students from countries outside of the EU/EEA and those who do not have the same status as Austrians.

Additionally, all students, regardless of nationality, must pay a compulsory student union membership fee and a student accident insurance fee, which together amount to €24.70 per semester.

It is worth noting that Universities of Applied Sciences and private universities in Austria are entitled to charge tuition fees, which vary depending on the institution.

Overall, Austria offers a range of educational opportunities for foreign students, with public universities providing free education for those from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, under certain conditions.

Foreign students from non-EU/EEA countries pay €1,452/academic year at public universities

Foreign students from non-EU/EEA countries pay €1,452 per academic year at public universities in Austria. This is a very affordable rate when compared to other popular study destinations such as the US, UK, or Australia.

Austria has a free and public school system, and education is mandatory for nine years. After this, students can choose to attend an institution of higher education or a vocational school with a higher education entrance qualification. The final exam for either of these options is the matriculation (Matura).

The matriculation is a set of written and oral exams. The written exams consist of 3-4 exams, each lasting 4-5 hours, and are taken on consecutive mornings. The oral exams consist of 2-3 exams and are taken on the same afternoon about a month later. All examinations are held at the school the candidate last attended.

In addition to the matriculation, students need to submit a Diplomarbeit, a research paper of about 100 pages on average.

To be admitted to Austrian universities, foreign citizens must meet certain requirements. These include having an A-level or high school diploma that is equivalent to an Austrian Matura examination certification, sufficient German language knowledge, and meeting any study-related requirements such as entrance exams.

While public universities are free for Austrian citizens and EU/EEA students, private universities in Austria have their own tuition fees, which can range from €3,000 to €23,000 per year. Some business programmes are more expensive, with tuition costs of €35,000 per year or more.

Overall, Austria offers a high-quality education system with affordable tuition fees for international students, making it an attractive destination for those seeking to pursue their studies abroad.

Private universities in Austria have their own tuition fees, ranging from €3,000 to €23,000 per year

Austria has a long history of public education, and its universities and schools consistently rank highly globally. The country's higher education system includes public and private universities, colleges, and Universities of Applied Sciences.

Private universities in Austria set their own tuition fees, which can vary significantly. Fees at these institutions can range from €3,000 to €23,000 per year, with some business programmes charging upwards of €35,000 annually.

The cost of attending a private university in Austria depends on various factors, including the specific institution, programme, and an individual's circumstances. For instance, scholarships and grants may be available to help offset the cost of tuition.

While private universities charge tuition, public universities in Austria are generally free for Austrian citizens and students from EU/EEA countries. However, non-EU/EEA students typically pay around €727 per semester at public universities.

Overall, the tuition fees at private universities in Austria reflect the institutions' autonomy in setting their fees and cover a wide range, from €3,000 to over €23,000 per year.

Foreign students can benefit from various study grants and scholarships in Austria

Foreign students in Austria are required to pay tuition fees, which vary depending on their country of origin. Students from EU/EEA member states are charged €363.36 per semester if they exceed the minimum duration of their study programme by more than two semesters. Students from non-EU/EEA countries, or "third countries", are typically charged €726.72 per semester.

However, foreign students can benefit from various study grants and scholarships in Austria. There are several scholarship opportunities and possible project funding options available for international students. These include scholarships offered by a wide variety of institutions, such as the OeAD scholarship programmes and institutional scholarships offered directly by higher education institutions.

Austria's most comprehensive database for scholarships and research grants is grants.at, where students can search for funding opportunities. Additionally, the Euraxess – Researchers in Motion initiative provides access to information and support services for researchers wishing to pursue research careers in Europe, including job vacancies and fellowships.

The Austrian government also provides support for students through the Student Support Act, which outlines a range of funding sources for degree programme students, including those from other countries under certain circumstances. The Austrian Student Support Authority is responsible for allocating this aid and provides detailed information on eligibility and application procedures.

Furthermore, other public and private institutions in Austria offer allowances and awards to students or their parents. For example, the Austrian National Union of Students (ÖH) provides financial support in cases of hardship through its Social Fund.

Overall, while foreign students in Austria may face higher tuition fees, there are numerous grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities available to help offset these costs and make studying in Austria more accessible.

Frequently asked questions