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日本語Admission Requirements to Study in Austria
World-class education in a European capital — a welcoming and affordable alternative to Germany.
Austria's higher education landscape is anchored by the University of Vienna — the oldest German-speaking university in the world — alongside TU Wien, WU Vienna, and institutions in Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. The Austrian system closely mirrors Germany's in structure and language, making it a natural alternative for students who want a German-language education in a Central European capital. Most public universities charge very low tuition, and the English-taught program offering has grown substantially, particularly at Master's level.
Academic Qualifications
Austrian universities follow the Matura equivalency framework
Austrian universities require a secondary school diploma equivalent to the Austrian Reifezeugnis (Matura). For international applicants, this is assessed against the Austrian qualifications framework — the process is very similar to Germany's Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB) check. Students from countries whose diplomas are not directly equivalent may need to complete a Studienberechtigungsprüfung (university entrance exam) or Berufsreifeprüfung before admission. The NARIC Austria (OeAD) office provides equivalency assessments. At Master's level, a recognized Bachelor's degree of at least 180 ECTS credits in a related field is required.
Language Requirements
| German-taught programs | ÖSD C1, Goethe-Zertifikat C1, or TestDaF TDN 4 |
|---|---|
| English-taught programs | IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80–90 |
| WU Vienna (business programs) | IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 90 for English Master's tracks |
| Certificate validity | Must be less than two years old at time of application |
How to Apply
Applications go directly to each Austrian institution
- Check whether your secondary school diploma is recognized in Austria. The OeAD website and individual university international offices provide country-specific guidance.
- Register on your target university's online application portal. Austrian universities each manage their own admission process.
- Prepare certified copies of your diploma and transcripts, along with certified German or English translations.
- Sit your German language proficiency test (ÖSD C1, Goethe C1, or TestDaF TDN 4) if applying for a German-taught program.
- Submit your complete application package — including motivation letter, CV, and language certificate — before the deadline.
- Once admitted, non-EU/EEA students must apply for an Austrian student residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung Studierender) at the Austrian Embassy or consulate in their home country.
Required Documents
- Certified copy of secondary school diploma (Matura / Reifezeugnis equivalent)
- Official transcripts for all completed study
- Certified German or English translation of all documents
- Proof of German language proficiency (for German-taught programs)
- Proof of English language proficiency (for English-taught programs)
- Motivation letter / Statement of purpose
- CV / Résumé
- Passport copy (valid throughout planned stay)
- OeAD equivalency assessment (if required)
- Proof of financial means (approximately €11,000 per year)
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- Health insurance certificate
Financial Requirements
Proof of sufficient funds for your Austrian residence permit
Non-EU students must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves during their studies in Austria. Austrian authorities typically require proof of approximately €11,000–€13,000 per year. Accepted forms of proof include a bank statement, a sponsor letter with supporting bank documents, or a scholarship confirmation letter. Austrian public university tuition is very low for EU students (around €363 per semester); non-EU students pay approximately €726 per semester at public universities. Medical insurance is compulsory throughout your stay.
Key Application Deadlines
| Winter semester (October start) | Generally September (confirm with each university) |
|---|---|
| Summer semester (March start) | Generally January – February |
| University of Vienna | Online application opens March; check program pages |
| TU Wien | May – September for winter semester |
| Residence permit processing time | Allow 8–12 weeks after receiving admission letter |
Watch Out For
Austrian universities set their own internal deadlines which can be earlier than official semester start dates — always check the specific program page.
For some popular programs (medicine, law, psychology), numerus clausus (entry caps) and entrance exams apply. Places are limited and competition is intense.
Unlike Germany, Austria does not use uni-assist. Every application is submitted directly to the target university.
The OeAD (Austrian Academic Exchange Service) offers scholarships specifically for international students — research these options early as deadlines often fall in the preceding autumn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from students applying to study in Austria
Yes, in many respects. Both countries use German as the primary language of instruction at Bachelor's level, follow the Bologna framework, and have low-cost or tuition-free public universities. Austrian universities mirror the German system closely — if you meet German admission requirements, you will likely meet Austrian ones too. The main differences are in specific language tests accepted (Austria accepts ÖSD certificates more prominently) and in institutional character: Vienna is slightly more internationally oriented than many German university cities.
OeAD (Österreichische Austauschdienst) is the Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation. It manages government scholarships for international students, provides qualification recognition assessments (NARIC Austria), and offers guidance on studying in Austria. Many OeAD scholarships are available to non-EU students — check their website for current programs and deadlines.
Yes, especially at Master's level. WU Vienna (Vienna University of Economics and Business) runs several top-ranked English-taught Master's programs. TU Wien and the University of Vienna also offer English Master's programs in sciences, technology, and social sciences. The number of English programs has grown significantly over the past decade.
Numerus clausus (entry limits) apply to popular programs like medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, psychology, and some arts and law programs. These programs use entrance exams or assessment tests to select students. International applicants compete for the same places as domestic students in most cases. If your target program has a numerus clausus, prepare for the entrance test well in advance.
Yes. Austria offers a Red-White-Red Card — a points-based immigration system that allows graduates of Austrian universities to apply for a temporary residence permit to seek skilled employment. Graduates have up to 12 months after completing their studies to find a qualifying job and apply for this permit.
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