Austria's Free College Education: What's The Catch?

Austria is known for its picturesque landscapes, friendly locals, and rich culture, making it a popular destination for international students. The country offers a free and public school system, with nine years of mandatory education. Beyond that, there are several options for higher education, including public and private universities, colleges, and Universities of Applied Sciences. So, is college free in Austria? The answer depends on several factors, including the type of college and the student's nationality.

Public universities are free for EU/EEA students

Austria has a free and public school system, with nine years of mandatory education. The Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research is responsible for the entire educational system, from early childhood education to higher education entrance examinations.

Public universities in Austria are free for Austrian students and students who have the same status as Austrians (i.e. EU and EEA member country nationals). This is provided they have not exceeded the minimum duration of their study programme plus two semesters. After this, students are given a "tolerance" period of two semesters before fees must be paid. These fees are 363.36 euros per semester.

All students, regardless of nationality, must pay a student union membership fee and student accident insurance, which is 24.70 euros per semester.

There are 22 public universities in Austria, with a total of around 387,800 university-level students. The University of Vienna, for example, offers over 50 undergraduate programmes and more than 100 postgraduate programmes. EU and EEA students who exceed the designated duration of their programme pay 402 USD per semester, while non-EU and non-EEA students pay 801 USD.

Austria is a popular destination for international students, ranking 16th in the Best Student Cities ranking. The country offers a high quality of life, a low crime rate, and picturesque landscapes.

Non-EU/EEA students pay €1,452 per year at public universities

Austria is a popular destination for international students, thanks to its friendly locals, rich culture, and affordable universities. While tuition fees at public universities are free for Austrian nationals and students from the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA), non-EU/EEA students must pay a fee.

For non-EU/EEA students, the cost of studying at a public university in Austria is €1,452 per academic year. This is a relatively low fee compared to other popular study destinations such as the US, UK, or Australia. In addition to tuition fees, all students are required to pay a student union membership fee and a student accident insurance fee, which costs around €20 per semester.

It is worth noting that Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in Austria have the freedom to decide whether to charge tuition fees. At most UAS institutions, students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland pay tuition fees of €363 per semester. Non-EU/EEA students can expect to pay between €727 and €7,500 per semester, depending on the university and study programme. However, there are a few UAS, like the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences and the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland, where courses are entirely free for all international students.

Private universities in Austria set their own tuition fees, which can range from €3,000 to €23,000 per year. Business programmes at private universities tend to be more expensive, with tuition costs of €35,000 or more per year.

Despite the tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students, studying in Austria is still a cost-effective option compared to other countries. The country's high quality of life and low crime rate also add to its appeal as a study destination.

Private universities charge between €3,000 and €23,000 per year

Austria is known for its picturesque landscapes, friendly locals, and rich culture. It has become a popular hub for international students due to its high ranking in the Best Student Cities list and its affordable living costs.

When it comes to tuition fees, Austrian students, as well as nationals of all European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) member countries, generally do not pay tuition fees at public universities. However, private universities in Austria charge tuition fees, which can vary significantly.

Private universities in Austria have the autonomy to set their own tuition fees, and these fees can range anywhere from €3,000 to €23,000 per year. This means that the cost of attending a private university in Austria can vary greatly depending on the institution. Some business programmes at private universities can be even more expensive, with tuition costs exceeding €35,000 per year.

It is important to note that the tuition fees at private universities in Austria are not standardised and can differ from one institution to another. Therefore, prospective students should contact the specific private university they are interested in attending to obtain accurate and up-to-date information about their tuition fees.

In contrast, public universities in Austria are known for their low or non-existent tuition fees for students from certain nationalities. For students who exceed the allocated duration of their programme by more than two semesters, there is a "tolerance" period, after which they will be required to pay tuition fees of €363.36 per semester. This applies to both EU/EEA nationals and certain other categories of students as outlined by the Austrian government.

Additionally, all students, regardless of their nationality, must pay a compulsory student union membership and accident insurance fee, which currently stands at €24.70 per semester.

Overall, while private universities in Austria can charge substantial tuition fees ranging from €3,000 to €23,000 per year, the country also offers many affordable options for international students, especially at public universities.

Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) can charge tuition fees

Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS)

Overview

Austria has become a popular hub for international students seeking affordable higher education options. While tuition fees in Austrian universities are generally low, there are some variations in fee structures, especially for students from outside the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA).

Tuition Fees at UAS

Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in Austria can charge tuition fees, but this typically applies to a specific category of students. These fees concern non-EU/EEA citizens enrolled in English-taught Bachelor's and Master's degree programs who commenced their studies in or after August 2017. The annual tuition fee at institutions like Turku University of Applied Sciences is €11,500 for non-EU/EEA students in English-taught programs.

Exemptions and Scholarships

However, it's important to note that even within this category, there are exemptions. Students with specific residence permits or those who started their studies before the specified date may be exempted from paying tuition fees. Additionally, UAS institutions often offer scholarships to support students who are required to pay tuition fees. For example, Turku UAS provides scholarships based on students' proficiency in the Finnish language, resulting in a refund of a portion of the tuition fee.

Comparison with Public Universities

In contrast, public universities in Austria generally do not charge tuition fees for Austrian nationals, EU, or EEA member country students, unless they exceed the allocated duration of their program. Even then, there is a "tolerance" of two semesters before fees must be paid. International students from outside the EU and EEA typically pay higher tuition fees, as seen in universities like the University of Vienna, where non-EU/EEA citizens pay a higher fee per semester.

Austria has 22 public universities, 16 private universities, 21 Universities of Applied Sciences and 14 university colleges of teacher education

Austria is a popular destination for international students due to its high quality of life, low crime rate, and affordable tuition fees compared to other study destinations like the US, UK, or Australia. The country ranks 16th in the Best Student Cities ranking, and Vienna, its capital, is one of the most expensive European cities for tourists.

When it comes to higher education institutions in Austria, there is a range of options, including public universities, private universities, Universities of Applied Sciences, and university colleges of teacher education. As of 2020/2021, there were around 387,800 university-level students in Austria, with about 106,000 of them being foreign students.

The majority of these students, around 54%, opted for the 22 public universities in the country. Public universities in Austria are free for Austrian nationals and students from EU and EEA member countries who have not exceeded the minimum duration of their study programme plus two semesters. After this period, students are charged 363.36 euros per semester. All students, regardless of nationality, must also pay a student union membership fee and accident insurance, which costs 24.70 euros per semester.

Around 17% of university-level students in Austria attend one of the 21 Universities of Applied Sciences. These institutions are free to decide whether to charge tuition fees. At most UAS, EU/EEA and Swiss students pay 363 euros per semester, while non-EU/EEA students pay between 727 and 7,500 euros per semester. However, some UAS, like the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences and the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland, offer free courses for all international students.

Additionally, 9% of students are enrolled in one of the 14 university colleges of teacher education, where the majority of students (77%) are women. These colleges fall under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, which oversees the entire educational system in Austria, from early childhood education to adult education.

Lastly, about 4% of students attend one of the 16 private universities in Austria. Private universities have their own tuition fee structures, with costs ranging from 3,000 to 23,000 euros per year. Some business programmes can be more expensive, with tuition costs exceeding 35,000 euros per year.

Frequently asked questions