
Austria's academic year is divided into two semesters: winter and summer. The winter semester at the University of Klagenfurt usually starts in October, with orientations for exchange students taking place between the beginning of September and October. The University of Vienna also holds orientations for exchange students in September and recommends that students arrive in Vienna two weeks before the semester starts. The winter semester at Graz University of Technology starts in March and ends in February.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Semester structure in Austria | Winter and summer semesters |
| Enrollment deadline for winter semester | 31 October |
| Enrollment deadline for summer semester | 31 March |
| Semester holidays | Differ between the nine states of Austria |
| Semester examinations | Written or oral |
| Semester breaks | 1 to 29 February |
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What You'll Learn

The winter semester in Austria starts in September/October
In Austria, the academic year is divided into two semesters: the winter semester and the summer semester. The winter semester usually starts in September or October, and the summer semester typically begins in March. The exact dates may vary slightly between universities and from year to year.
Students typically receive their student ID numbers for the winter semester by the beginning of August. It is recommended that exchange students arrive in Austria about two weeks before the semester starts to complete their registration and get settled in.
The winter semester is an excellent opportunity for international students to experience Austrian culture and education. It is essential to be aware of the semester dates and plan accordingly, especially for those coming from abroad. Additionally, students should note that the Austrian Students' Union fee, which includes insurance, must be paid to finalize enrolment and obtain a valid student ID card.
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Summer semester enrolment deadline is 31 March
The summer semester enrolment deadline in Austria varies across universities. For instance, the University of Klagenfurt allows enrolment for Bachelor's degree programmes by 31 March for the summer semester. Similarly, the University of Vienna sets the summer semester enrolment deadline as 31 March, and students are recommended to arrive in Vienna two weeks before the semester starts. The Graz University of Technology's summer semester begins on 1 March.
It is important to note that the University of Vienna requires all exchange students to pay the Austrian National Union of Students fee, which includes insurance. This payment is necessary for enrolment completion and obtaining a valid student ID card. Students are advised to utilise the payment options available in their u:space account and ensure timely payment to finalise their enrolment.
Additionally, the University of Vienna organises orientation sessions for Erasmus+ incoming students, which are mandatory for exchange students to complete their registration. These orientation sessions are typically held two weeks before the semester starts. Therefore, it is recommended that students planning to attend these sessions arrive in Vienna accordingly.
The University of Vienna also offers an option to pay the fee in cash at any post office by requesting a payment form via email. However, this process may take about a week for the payment to reflect in the university's system. Hence, students are advised to use credit card or online banking options or plan their participation in orientation sessions early to ensure timely enrolment finalisation and receive their student ID card.
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The academic year consists of winter and summer semesters
The academic year in Austria is structured into two semesters: the winter semester and the summer semester. The winter semester usually starts in late September or early October, while the summer semester typically begins in March.
For instance, at Graz University of Technology, the winter semester in the 2023/2024 academic year ended on 29 February 2024, and the summer semester commenced on 1 March 2024. The University of Klagenfurt also follows a similar academic calendar, offering admission to Bachelor's degree programmes for the winter semester by 31 October at the latest.
The University of Vienna also follows the semester system, with orientations for the winter semester taking place between the beginning of September and the start of October. Students are recommended to arrive in Vienna about two weeks before the semester starts. Similarly, the summer semester at the University of Vienna usually starts in February, with students receiving their student ID numbers by the beginning of the month.
The University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria also operates on a semester system, with part-time courses designed to accommodate the needs of working students. Lectures are typically held from Monday to Saturday, with Saturdays mostly reserved for part-time students and project work.
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Semester holidays vary across the nine states
Austria's academic year consists of two semesters: winter and summer. While the exact dates vary across institutions, the winter semester typically starts in late September or early October, and the summer semester usually begins in March.
Regarding semester holidays, it's important to note that they differ across the nine states of Austria. To illustrate this point, let's take a closer look at the semester holiday groupings:
Group A: Lower Austria and Vienna
In Group A, the semester holidays align with the schedules of Lower Austria and Vienna. These two regions share similar holiday patterns, with specific dates tailored to their respective educational institutions.
Group B: Burgenland, Carinthia, Salzburg, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg
Group B encompasses the states of Burgenland, Carinthia, Salzburg, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg. The semester holidays in these states occur concurrently, creating a unified break period for students and educators alike.
Group C: Upper Austria and Styria
Upper Austria and Styria fall into Group C for semester holidays. The timing of their academic breaks is coordinated to ensure a consistent approach to holidays within this group.
It is worth mentioning that, in addition to semester holidays, summer holidays also vary between the nine states. For instance, in Group 1, comprising Burgenland, Lower Austria, and Vienna, summer holidays commence during the first week of July. On the other hand, Group 2, which includes Carinthia, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg, starts its summer holidays in the second week of July.
These variations in semester and summer holiday schedules across the nine states of Austria reflect the country's decentralized approach to education, allowing each state to cater to its unique academic needs and priorities.
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Orientation sessions are held for exchange students
The winter semester in Austria typically starts in late September or early October, with the summer semester commencing in March. Orientation sessions are held for exchange students, and these are essential for completing registration at the University of Vienna. These sessions are organised by the International Office and are typically held during the following periods:
Orientation Sessions for Exchange Students
- Winter semester: Between the beginning of September and early October.
- Summer semester: Between the beginning of February and the start of March.
It is recommended that exchange students arrive in Vienna about two weeks before the semester starts. This allows enough time to settle in, get to know the city, and complete any necessary administrative tasks before classes begin.
During the orientation sessions, exchange students will receive important information about their studies, campus life, and other relevant topics. They will also have the opportunity to meet fellow students, both local and international, and familiarise themselves with the university's facilities and services.
To ensure a smooth transition into university life in Austria, it is crucial for exchange students to attend these orientation sessions and actively participate in the activities and events organised by the International Office. This will help them integrate into the academic and social environment of the university, enabling them to make the most of their exchange experience in Austria.
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Frequently asked questions
The winter semester in Austria starts in September or October.
The winter semester ends in February, so it runs for approximately 5 months.
There is a compulsory fee of €24.70 per semester, which includes insurance and is paid to the Austrian National Union of Students.
Yes, you will receive a student ID card at the beginning of the winter semester, but it will only be valid once your enrolment is finalised and you have paid the required fees.











































