If you have chosen Europe for your degree, Austria is one of the most popular destinations available: respected universities, a safe and settled student life, and tuition that stays affordable. This guide introduces the best universities in Austria and looks at world rankings, popular subjects, the city each institution sits in and some of the well-known people who studied there.
Remember that you need an offer from a university before you can apply for an Austrian student visa, and finding the right fit takes months of research. The sections below should shorten that work considerably.
Why study in Austria?
Before we get to the list of the best universities in Austria, it is worth answering a basic question: why choose Austria at all? Beyond the high academic standards and the long-established institutions, what else does the country offer a student?
- Free or low-cost tuition for international students
- A varied job market for graduates
- A safe society, a rich culture and political stability
- The option to bring family members with you during your studies
- A route from a student residence permit to a work permit after graduation
- Eligibility for permanent residence after several years in the country
- Visa-free travel across the EU and the Schengen area
- A stronger profile if you later move on to the United States, Canada or Australia
The best universities in Austria
With that in mind, here are the institutions worth shortlisting. We start with the country’s flagship: the University of Vienna.
University of Vienna (Universitat Wien)
Ranked around 197 in the world, the University of Vienna is Austria’s leading university and the oldest German-language university in the world. Most of its students are enrolled in philosophy, psychology, linguistics, law, economics, sociology, political science and theology. Its departments combine well-known academics, high-level research projects and exchange agreements with major universities abroad, which is one reason the student body has grown to roughly 90,000.
Teaching is mainly in German, but master’s and doctoral programmes are also offered in English. Vienna itself adds a great deal: a high standard of living, low crime, an excellent transport network and a genuinely international atmosphere.
Notable alumni include Sigmund Freud and Karl Popper, along with several Nobel laureates. That record is why the University of Vienna is regarded as one of Europe’s strongest institutions for theoretical and interdisciplinary subjects.
Before applying, check the admissions pages on the university website, because deadlines differ by subject. As a general rule, applications for the winter semester close in mid-July and applications for the summer semester close in mid-January.
University of Vienna website: www.univie.ac.at
TU Wien | Vienna University of Technology
TU Wien, ranked around 190 in the world, is one of Europe’s most respected engineering schools. It was founded in 1815 and sits in the centre of Vienna. The university is known for advanced research in engineering and technology, and its best-known departments cover:
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Computer science
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Architecture
- Artificial intelligence
- Robotics and emerging technologies
Its graduates include scientists and engineers working on major international projects. Teaching at TU Wien is mostly in German, although a number of master’s and doctoral programmes run in English. If a degree from TU Wien is your goal, start learning German now.
Applications for the winter semester generally close in July and applications for the summer semester in mid-January, but confirm the exact date with the university before you file.
TU Wien website: www.tuwien.at
University of Innsbruck
Ranked around 309 in the world, the University of Innsbruck was founded in 1669 and is the largest university in western Austria. Its setting in the Alps makes it an obvious choice for students drawn to mountains and the outdoors.
Innsbruck is best known for biology, pharmacy, earth sciences, sport science, psychology and the social sciences. Most of these programmes are taught in German, but English-taught options exist at master’s and doctoral level.
For international students, the application deadline is September for the winter semester and February for the summer semester.
University of Innsbruck website: www.uibk.ac.at
Medical University of Vienna
The Medical University of Vienna is one of the world’s leading medical schools, ranked around 203 globally, and one of the oldest and most respected centres of medical training in Europe. Its origins go back to 1365, and in 2004 it separated from the University of Vienna to become an independent institution.
Its programmes cover medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical science and related fields. The university works closely with Vienna General Hospital (AKH), and most of its teaching is in German. Both the hospital and the campuses are in Vienna, so students are not commuting between cities. If you want to try for a place, note that the deadline is October for the winter semester and early March for the summer semester.
Medical University of Vienna website: www.meduniwien.ac
TU Graz | Graz University of Technology
TU Graz was founded in 1811 and is one of Austria’s strongest centres for engineering and technology, currently ranked around 501 in the world. Its leading subjects are mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, architecture and data science. Alongside teaching, students get laboratory time, research projects and links with major industrial partners such as AVL and Magna.
For international students the bachelor’s and master’s deadline is mid-August for the winter semester and mid-January for the summer semester. Doctoral admission depends on contact with a supervisor, an interview and further conditions published on the university website.
TU Graz website: www.tugraz.at
Johannes Kepler University Linz
Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) was founded in 1966 and is a leader in technology and the social sciences in Austria. Its modern campus and research facilities place it around 472 in the world rankings, and its most popular subjects are:
- Law
- Social sciences and sociology
- Management
- Information technology
- Natural sciences
Its graduates include European politicians and researchers active in a range of international fields. The university is based in Linz and teaches in both German and English. The winter semester deadline is in July; the summer semester deadline is in September, and October for some subjects.
Read more: scholarships in Austria
Johannes Kepler University Linz website: www.jku.at
University of Graz
The list of the best universities in Austria closes with the country’s second-oldest institution. Ranked around 607 in the world, the University of Graz was founded in 1585 and is known for its long-established faculties, its academic staff and its research in the humanities and social sciences.
Its strongest subjects are philosophy, economics, social sciences, theology, political science, law and environmental studies. More than 30,000 students from around the world currently study and carry out research there.
University of Graz website: www.uni-graz.at
A quick comparison of the best universities in Austria
| University name | City | Language of instruction | Main faculties | Winter semester application deadline (confirm with the university) | Summer semester application deadline (confirm with the university) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Vienna | Vienna | German and English | Philosophy, Law, Humanities, Psychology, Economics, Political Science, Linguistics | August and July | January |
| TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) | Vienna | German and English | Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, Physics, Mathematics | August | January |
| University of Innsbruck | Innsbruck | German and English | Linguistics, Sport Science, Psychology, Physics | Until September | February |
| TU Graz (Graz University of Technology) | Graz | German and English | Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science | Until September | February |
| University of Graz | Graz | German | Humanities, Law, Theology, Medicine, Social Sciences | Until September | February |
| Johannes Kepler University Linz | Linz | German and English | Management, Economics, Information Technology, Law, Industrial Engineering | Until September | February |
| Medical University of Vienna | Vienna | German | Medicine, Dentistry, Medical Biotechnology, Life Sciences | Entrance exam until March | February |
What to know before you apply to an Austrian university
Studying in Austria gives international students high-quality teaching, a safe multicultural environment and well-equipped facilities. To make the most of it, a few points matter.
- Apply early and track the deadlines. Austrian deadlines are typically 5 September for the winter semester and 5 February for the summer semester, although this varies by university and subject. Assessment of foreign qualifications takes time, so file as early as you can and leave room for the visa and for planning.
- Talk to the faculty and to academic staff. Before you send documents, contact the department or your prospective supervisor to confirm the admission details, the required paperwork and the research opportunities available. That contact can also make a difference to scholarship decisions.
- For German-taught programmes you need German at B2 or above. For English-taught programmes you need Academic IELTS at 6.0 to 6.5, or the TOEFL equivalent. All academic and identity documents must be officially translated into German and certified by an accredited body.
- For a student residence permit you must show that you can cover your living and study costs in Austria: bank statements, property documents or comparable evidence. At doctoral level, funding usually depends on direct contact with a supervisor and a strong research proposal. At other levels, check the scholarship listings on official sites such as OeAD.
Applying for an Austrian student visa with Aval Visa
Studying in Austria can be the start of a career in the heart of Europe, but getting there takes careful planning, a clear view of the application stages and documents prepared to the standard the consulate expects. If you want to go through that process with fewer surprises, the team at Aval Visa can work through it with you.
From choosing a subject and a university to preparing documents, securing an offer and filing the visa application, every stage is handled by our advisers. Call us or complete the free assessment form to take the first step towards studying in Austria.
Frequently asked questions
- Which university ranks first in Austria? The University of Vienna is generally regarded as Austria’s leading university, and TU Wien is the country’s strongest technical institution.
- Is studying in Austria free? No, but the fees are modest. Students from outside the EU who receive no scholarship normally pay up to EUR 726.72 per semester. A range of scholarships is available and can cover that amount in full.
- Can you stay in Austria after graduating? Yes. Graduates can remain in Austria for up to twelve months to look for work. With a suitable job and a valid offer of employment, a student residence permit can be converted into a work permit.
