Austria : Postgraduate study

For detailed information on study, courses and scholarships visit Austrian Academic Exchange Service . The Austrian Academic Portal is also a useful starting point.

How does the higher education system work?

There are three different types of higher educational institutions: federal universities (Universitäten), private universities (Privatuniversitäten) and universities of applied science (Fachhochschulen).

Austria has 13 private universities and over 20 federal or stated universities. Each university has its own specialist area, such as business, arts, engineering or medicine.

What courses are available?

For a comprehensive list of available courses and academic institutions, visit the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research .

Where can I study?

Postgraduate education is offered by universities and the university-level institutions of music, drama and art. A full list of institutions is available from the Austrian Academic Portal and at Universities Worldwide , where universities are also given international rankings.

There are several institutions specialising in postgraduate education, including Danube University Krems , the Institute for Advanced Studies Vienna  and the Diplomatic Academy Vienna .

What are the entry requirements for postgraduate study?

Austrian first degrees usually take longer to complete than the three to four year UK first degrees, which may not be accepted as equivalent to Austrian degrees for the purposes of postgraduate study. A UK Masters degree or even an Austrian qualification may be required for entry to a Doctoral programme. However, a first degree from the UK or Ireland may be viewed as equivalent to a diploma, which does give entry to a number of postgraduate courses. You should seek advice from the institutions to which you wish to apply.

When do I apply?

Application deadlines vary from institution to institution, so you are advised to enquire with each potential host organisation well in advance. Many of the websites of the institutions have information on the admission deadlines.

How do I apply?

Procedures vary between institutions. Check the websites of the institutions you are interested in applying to for more information.

How much will it cost?

While undergraduate study costs relatively little for Austrian and EU nationals, postgraduate study costs can vary and depend on the institution at which you are studying. Fees will differ from course to course so it is best to check the website and course description at the institution’s website.

Living costs vary, and while part-time work may assist with funding some expenses, it is unlikely to cover all costs.

Are any scholarships available?

Grants may be available from the institution’s own resources. Information on scholarships is available from the OEAD Grants website.

Are there any exchange programmes?

UK students on undergraduate degree programmes or postgraduate Masters and some PhD programmes may be interested in spending time studying in Austria through the Erasmus programme. This programme is open to all subject areas, but check with your institution's Erasmus coordinator first (usually based in the international office) to see which countries they have links with and in what subject areas.

Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?

Check with UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) that the Austrian qualification you undertake will be recognised on return to Britain.