
Austria is home to several universities, including the University of Vienna, the largest university in the country. The University of Vienna is also the oldest university in the German-speaking world, having celebrated its 650th anniversary in 2024. Austria is a popular destination for international students, with around 15% of students enrolled at Austrian universities coming from abroad. The country's second-largest city, Graz, is known for its student population, with four universities and a reputation for a vibrant nightlife and relaxed attitude.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of universities in Austria featured in the QS World University Rankings® | 8 |
Number of Austrian universities ranked among the world's top 500 | 5 |
Number of students enrolled at the University of Vienna | 94,000 |
Number of universities in Graz | 4 |
Number of Nobel Prize winners associated with Austrian universities | 15 |
Number of degree programmes offered by Austrian universities | Nearly 200 |
Percentage of international students at Austrian universities | 15% |
What You'll Learn
- The University of Vienna is the largest university in Austria
- Austria's second-largest city, Graz, is known for its student population
- The University of Graz is the best-known of Graz's four universities
- The University of Innsbruck is Austria's most prominent university
- Austria's universities offer a diverse and multicultural study environment
The University of Vienna is the largest university in Austria
Austria is home to several universities, including the University of Innsbruck, which is ranked within the world's top 300. The University of Graz is also well-known, ranking within the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings 2024. However, the University of Vienna is the largest university in Austria, with around 94,000 students enrolled. It is also the oldest university in the German-speaking world, having celebrated its 650th anniversary in 2024.
The University of Vienna was founded in 1365 by Rudolph IV, Duke of Austria, and modelled on the Sorbonne in Paris. It is home to more than 94,000 students, including 28,000 international students. The university runs more than 180 degree programmes, with a staff of about 7,000 academics. It is renowned for its Humanities work, having produced nine Nobel Laureates, including the chemist Hans Fischer and the physician Karl Landsteiner.
The University of Vienna is the largest research institution in Austria, comprising 15 faculties and four academic centres. It is also the most diverse educational institution in the country, with a sizeable number of English-taught master's degrees. While all of its undergraduate courses require German language proficiency, some postgraduate courses are offered in English.
Vienna's University Library is the largest collection of books in Austria, with more than 4.3 million volumes. The University of Vienna, like all universities and academies in Austria, once featured a system of democratic representation, with power divided equally among students, junior faculty, and full professors. However, in 2002, the Austrian government reformed the university system, concentrating power in the hands of full professors and introducing a board of governors and tuition fees.
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Austria's second-largest city, Graz, is known for its student population
Graz, Austria's second-largest city, is known for its student population. The city has a strong tradition as an education centre, with four colleges and four universities. Combined, the city is home to more than 60,000 students, making up a significant percentage of the city's overall population. The best-known of Graz's institutions is Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz (also called the University of Graz), which ranks within the world's top 500 in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
Graz has a reputation for being a student town, with a relaxed student city feel. The city offers a vibrant nightlife, award-winning restaurants and student bars, a lively city centre and lots of green spaces. Located in the heart of the state of Styria in the southeast of the country, Graz is also renowned for its food, earning it the title of the culinary capital of Austria.
Graz's historic centre (Altstadt) is one of the best-preserved city centres in Central Europe. In 1999, it was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, and in 2010 the designation was expanded to include Eggenberg Palace on the western edge of the city. The city also boasts breathtaking views from the tree-clad Schlossberg (Castle Hill), which dominates the city centre and has fortifications dating back to at least the 10th century.
Graz is the capital city of Styria and has a population of about 280,000. It is the fastest-growing region in Austria in recent years.
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The University of Graz is the best-known of Graz's four universities
Graz, Austria's second-largest city, is known for its large student population. The city is home to four universities, the most well-known of which is the University of Graz.
The University of Graz, also known as Universität Graz and formerly Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, is a public research university located in Graz, Austria. It is the largest and oldest university in Styria, as well as the second-largest and second-oldest university in Austria. The university was founded in 1585 by Archduke Charles II of Austria and was controlled by the Catholic Church for most of its existence. It is associated with numerous Nobel prize laureates and is highly regarded. The university offers a large number of English-taught courses, including German as a foreign language.
The University of Graz is divided into six faculties, with the two largest being the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Faculty of Natural Sciences. The other faculties include the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Business, Economic and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Environmental, Regional and Educational Sciences, and the Faculty of Catholic Theology. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programmes, as well as special teaching degrees.
The University of Graz has a strong focus on sustainability, climate change, and biosciences. It enrols more than 30,000 students and is located in a historic, well-preserved, and student-oriented city. Graz is conveniently located in Central Europe, offering easy travel to nearby cities such as Vienna, Venice, Munich, and Prague.
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The University of Innsbruck is Austria's most prominent university
The University of Innsbruck is one of eight universities in Austria that are featured in the QS World University Rankings. Of these, five Austrian universities are ranked among the world's top 500, including the University of Vienna, which is the highest-ranked Austrian university at joint 137th in the world. It is also the largest university in Austria, with around 94,000 students enrolled, and the oldest in the German-speaking world, having celebrated its 650th anniversary in 2024.
Austria's second-largest city, Graz, has a reputation for being a student town, with those enrolled at its four universities constituting a major chunk of its population. The best-known of its institutions is Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz (also called the University of Graz), which ranks within the world's top 500 in the QS World University Rankings 2024. Graz offers a vibrant nightlife, a famously relaxed attitude, and is renowned for its food, earning it the title of the culinary capital of Austria.
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Austria's universities offer a diverse and multicultural study environment
The country's second-largest city, Graz, is known for its vibrant student community. With four universities, Graz has a reputation for being a student town, and its population is largely made up of those enrolled at these institutions. The best-known of these is the Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz (also called the University of Graz), which ranks within the world's top 500 universities. Graz offers a lively nightlife and a famously relaxed attitude, making it a popular destination for students from all over the world.
In addition to these well-known universities, Austria is also home to several other highly regarded institutions. The Universität Innsbruck, for example, is ranked within the world's top 300 universities. The country also boasts several universities of applied science, such as the University of Applied Sciences in Kufstein and the MCI Management Center Innsbruck.
Austria's universities are a popular choice for international students, with an average of around 15% of the student body coming from abroad. This diverse student population contributes to a multicultural study environment, offering a unique and enriching educational experience. With nearly 200 different degree programmes to choose from, many of them taught in English, it's no wonder that Austria is a top destination for those seeking a well-rounded and globally-minded education.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several colleges in Austria, including the University College of Teacher Education Styria, the University of Innsbruck, and the University of Vienna.
The most prominent college in Austria is the Universität Innsbruck, ranked within the world's top 300.
Austria's second-largest city is Graz, which has a reputation for being a student town. Those enrolled at its four universities constitute a major chunk of its population.