The University of Vienna is one of the oldest and most respected universities in Europe. Founded in 1365, it is the oldest German-language university in the world, and that history is a large part of why students from across the world want to study there.
With more than 90,000 students and 15 faculties, the University of Vienna is one of Europe’s largest institutions in humanities, social sciences, law, natural sciences and theology. Seventeen Nobel laureates have studied or worked there. If you are considering an Austrian student visa and want to test your chances at this university, read on for a full picture of what it involves.
Where the University of Vienna is and how to get there
The main building is at Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria. It stands in the historic centre of Vienna, close to the famous Ringstrasse. Alongside the main building, the university has campuses and teaching centres in several parts of the city.
To reach the main building, take the U2 or U6 metro line and get off at Schottentor for the U2 or Währinger Straße for the U6. Tram lines 1, 2, D and 71 also serve the main campus.
Subjects and degree levels at the University of Vienna
The University of Vienna runs more than 170 degree programmes across all levels:
| Bachelor's programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | Economics | Computer Science |
| Psychology and Law | Political Science and Sociology | English and American Studies |
| International Legal Studies | All natural science programs, including physics, chemistry and life sciences | Nutritional Sciences |
| Mathematics | Geography | Communication Science, and Cultural and Social Anthropology |
| East Asian Studies | Islamic Studies | Jewish Studies |
| Master's programs | ||
| Applied Economics and Business Analytics | Data Science and Computer Science | International Legal Studies |
| Development Studies | Gender Studies | Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes (CREOLE) |
| East Asian Economy and Society | Global Demography | Contemporary History and Media, and Communication Science |
| Arabic Linguistics | Anglophone Literatures and Cultures | Philosophy and Economics |
| Molecular Biology | Environmental Sciences | Neuroscience |
| Doctoral programs | ||
| Law | Interdisciplinary Legal Studies | Social Sciences |
| Philosophy, all branches from traditional to analytic | Political Science and Sociology | Anthropology and Communication |
| Business | Economics | Statistics |
| Psychology | Sport Science, focused on nutritional and sport sciences | Life sciences in molecular biology, jointly with the Medical University of Vienna |
| Mathematics, a joint program with TU Wien in pure and applied mathematics | Geology, covering earth sciences, geography, geophysics and astronomy | Theology, focused on theology, religious studies and philosophy of religion |
Some programmes are taught in German and others in English, and at doctoral level most teaching is in English. With more than 50 subject areas on offer, if you cannot find your field in the table above, go to the university’s own site, choose your department and subject, and check the full list of specialisations.
University of Vienna admission requirements
Students from outside the EU need a student visa to study at the University of Vienna, and that visa depends on holding a formal offer of admission. To be admitted, you need:
- A recognised qualification from your previous level of study
- Original and certified translated transcripts, with authentication
- A language certificate (German at B2 or English at B2)
- A valid passport
- A CV and a motivation letter
- Recommendation letters from previous lecturers or supervisors
Application deadlines for international students
Check the site of the department and programme you want and look at its application windows and deadlines. Deadlines differ by subject and faculty, but registration and applications generally run within a fixed period, which is why timing your application matters so much.
For international applicants who need a visa, the deadline for the winter semester is usually in early September, and for the summer semester in the first week of February. Even so, start 3 to 5 months before those dates, check the department site regularly and stay in contact with academic staff, so that you have enough time for the visa, the documents and the residence formalities.
How to apply to the University of Vienna
Applying to the University of Vienna is a multi-stage process that has to be done carefully and to a schedule. Here are the stages and the key points at each one:
- Step one: check the University of Vienna site for the admission requirements. Every programme sets its own conditions and document list, covering language scores, grade average and academic prerequisites, all of it published under Admission Requirements on the university site.
- Step two: if you meet those conditions, prepare the core documents such as transcripts, language certificate and letters, and register on the university portal. Create an account, upload everything and pay the application fee. Some programmes charge an application fee that must be paid online.
- Step three: depending on the subject and level, the department or an academic may ask for additional documents, an online interview or an entrance test. You have to sit those tests on the set date and submit the documents on time to be admitted. The outcome is normally published online, and successful applicants receive an admission letter.
- Step four: with the admission letter, book an appointment at the Austrian embassy and attend with your documents to apply for the student visa and give biometrics. Once the Austrian student visa is issued, you can live legally in Austria and attend classes.
University of Vienna costs
| Students | Tuition per semester | Students' Union fee (ÖH) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA/Swiss students | EUR 363.36 | EUR 25.20 | EUR 388.56 |
| Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students | EUR 726.72 | EUR 25.20 | EUR 751.92 |
| Students from developing countries | Exempt from tuition | EUR 25.20 | EUR 25.20 |
| Non-degree programmes | EUR 363.36 | EUR 25.20 | EUR 388.56 |
University of Vienna scholarships and funding
The University of Vienna offers a number of scholarship and funding options to international students. Most take the form of a tuition waiver and are awarded on academic merit, academic progress and financial need.
Students taking part in the university’s summer or winter programmes can apply for these awards. Priority goes to students coming from the university’s partner institutions or holding the Austrian state study grant (Studienbeihilfe). To apply, contact the organisers of the relevant programme directly and register your interest.
There is also a database called grants.at, which holds detailed information on scholarships and funding available to international students in Austria. Searching it will show the awards that match your subject.
University of Vienna facilities
As one of the oldest universities in Europe, the University of Vienna has both a strong record and facilities to match. The main ones are as follows:
- Large, subject-specific libraries with up-to-date facilities
- A language centre
- Sports facilities and training halls
- Social and cultural spaces
- A cafeteria and restaurant at reasonable prices
- A range of student housing options that help keep study costs down
Notable University of Vienna alumni
Its long history and standing mean the University of Vienna has educated many significant figures in science, culture and politics. Some of them are:
- Sigmund Freud: the founder of psychoanalysis
- Karl Popper: one of the leading philosophers of the twentieth century
- Erwin Schrödinger: physicist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics
- Lise Meitner: physicist and co-discoverer of nuclear fission
- Konrad Lorenz: zoologist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
- Elfriede Jelinek: writer and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature
- Karl Renner: Chancellor and later President of Austria
Applying for an Austrian student visa with Aval Visa
Studying in Austria means living in a multicultural environment, moving to Europe and building a future there. The student visa itself, the document preparation, admission to the University of Vienna, the registration steps, choosing the right institution and coordinating with the embassy can all be difficult to manage from abroad.
That is where Aval Visa comes in, with years of experience in study migration. Our team stays with you through every stage of the visa process, up to arrival in Austria and the start of your new life there.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need German to study at the University of Vienna? For most programmes, yes: German at CEFR level B2. Some doctoral programmes are taught in English, in which case you need TOEFL or IELTS Academic instead.
- Does the University of Vienna offer scholarships? Its own scholarships are limited and most funding is at doctoral level, but students can also apply for Austrian state scholarships or awards from other institutions.
- How long does the application and Austrian student visa process take? From gathering documents to admission and the visa itself, expect roughly 4 to 6 months, so start at least 6 months before the term begins. Reaching the required level in German or English takes far longer, so begin language study well before you graduate.
- Can you work on an Austrian student visa? Yes. International students in Austria may work part-time up to 20 hours a week.
