Study in Austria: your university application, step by step
From the University of Vienna to TU Wien, from medicine to business: how a Turkish high-school diploma gets admission (Zulassung) at an Austrian university, what level of German is required, how MedAT and entrance tests work, and what the non-EU tuition fee and residence permit involve — all managed in one plan.
Why Austria?
Low public tuition
The public university fee for non-EU students is roughly €727 per semester (2025) — one of the most accessible public systems in Western Europe. Private universities are separate.
Vienna and long-established universities
The University of Vienna, TU Wien, WU, Graz and Innsbruck: centuries of academic tradition; Vienna is a student city that has consistently featured near the top of quality-of-life surveys.
12 months after graduation
Graduates can obtain a 12-month job-seeker residence permit; once employed, the Red-White-Red Card opens the way to work and settle. Students may work up to 20 hours a week.
Close to Türkiye, German-speaking Europe
A two-hour flight from Istanbul, the Schengen area, a large Turkish-speaking community and a career region that opens onto Germany, Switzerland and Central Europe.
The education system in Austria
Austrian higher education follows the Bologna three-cycle structure; fields such as medicine, dentistry and law are single-cycle programmes called Diplomstudium. There are four types of institution: public universities, universities of applied sciences (FH), university colleges of teacher education and private universities.
| Level | Length | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vorstudienlehrgang (VWU) | 1-2 semesters | Preparatory course when a supplementary exam (Ergänzungsprüfung) in German or a subject is required; in Vienna, Graz and Leoben |
| Bachelor's | 3 years · 180 ECTS | High-school diploma + the right to study that field in Türkiye (besondere Universitätsreife); most programmes in German |
| Master's | 2 years · 120 ECTS | Bachelor's degree + programme-specific prerequisites; most English-taught programmes are at this level |
| Diplomstudium (single cycle) | 4-6 years | Medicine and dentistry 6 years · 360 ECTS (entry via MedAT); law 4 years; taught in German |
| Doktorat (PhD) | 3-4 years | After a master's; on a research position or a grant |
Public universities (University of Vienna, TU Wien, WU, Graz, Innsbruck, JKU Linz…) number 22; many programmes have open admission, but high-demand fields such as medicine, psychology, business (WU), architecture, biology and computer science have an entrance test or selection procedure (Aufnahmeverfahren). Universities of applied sciences (FH Campus Wien, FH Technikum Wien, FH Joanneum, MCI Innsbruck…) are career-oriented, with smaller classes and compulsory internships; places are capped, so each programme runs its own selection. Private universities (Webster Vienna, MODUL University, Central European University, Sigmund Freud…) charge tuition but offer a much wider choice of English-taught bachelor's degrees. The academic year starts on 1 October for the winter semester and 1 March for the summer semester. There is no central application portal; each university is applied to separately (u:space for the University of Vienna, own systems elsewhere). Current lists and programmes at studyinaustria.at.
How to apply to a university in Austria
1. Choose the field and check the Türkiye eligibility rule
Austria recognises the Turkish high-school diploma but requires the "besondere Universitätsreife": the student must show they could also study the same field in Türkiye (usually YKS placement or a sufficient score document in that field). The target programme is settled against this rule at the start; its application can differ by university.
2. Choose the programme and university
3–6 programmes are chosen by subject, teaching language, city and whether there is an entrance test; for each one the test status, registration window and German / English level requirement are noted separately. Separate calendars are kept for FH and private universities.
3. Language and test plan
ÖSD, Goethe C1 or TestDaF / DSH for German-taught programmes; without a certificate the university requires the German supplementary exam and the VWU preparatory course. MedAT for medicine (registration in March, test in July), summer tests for WU and psychology, and IELTS / TOEFL for English-taught programmes go on the calendar.
4. Zulassung (admission) application
The admission application is filed on each university's own portal (University of Vienna: u:space); for non-EU students the winter-semester deadline is 5 September at many universities and 5 February for summer, but registration for tested programmes closes in February–March. Diploma, transcript, YKS document and language certificate are uploaded with sworn translations and an apostille.
5. Admission notice, residence permit and housing
As soon as the admission notice (Zulassungsbescheid) arrives, the "Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Student" application is filed at the embassy in Ankara or the consulate general in Istanbul; processing can take a few months. Health insurance, proof of funds and the OeAD / student-hall housing application are completed in the same period.
6. Enrolment and arrival
Within 3 days of arrival: address registration (Meldezettel), collecting the residence-permit card (MA 35 in Vienna) and final enrolment by paying the tuition and ÖH fee; classes start on 1 October.
Admission requirements
Academic
- High-school diploma (12 years of schooling) and transcript — generally recognised for admission in Austria
- Besondere Universitätsreife: proof of the right to study the same field in Türkiye — usually the YKS placement result or an ÖSYM score document (requirements can differ by university)
- Depending on the curriculum comparison, a supplementary exam (Ergänzungsprüfung) in German, mathematics or biology may be required
- For a master's: bachelor's degree, transcript and course descriptions; programme-specific minimum GPA
Language
- German-taught programmes: C1 at most public universities (ÖSD Zertifikat C1, Goethe-Zertifikat C1, TestDaF 4x4, DSH-2); some programmes accept B2
- Without a certificate: the university's German supplementary exam + the Vorstudienlehrgang (VWU) preparatory course (Vienna, Graz, Leoben)
- English-taught programmes: usually IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 87–95; 6.0–6.5 at private universities
- To reach German C1 by the end of high school, preparation should start in grade 10–11 at the latest
Entrance tests
- MedAT: the national test for medicine and dentistry (Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, Linz) — registration in March, test in July; roughly 5% of places for non-EU candidates
- WU's business bachelor's and psychology (University of Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck…): online registration + a written selection test (August–September)
- University-specific selection procedures (Aufnahmeverfahren) in capped programmes such as architecture, biology, computer science and journalism
- Written test + interview at FH programmes; interview and motivation letter at private universities
Documents
- Passport (check validity) and biometric photos
- Apostilled, sworn German translations of the diploma, transcript and YKS / ÖSYM documents
- Motivation letter and CV (common at FH, private universities and master's level); portfolio for architecture and design
- Admission notice, health insurance, proof of funds and accommodation, criminal-record certificate (for the residence permit)
Application calendar
Dates vary by university and programme; this table shows the general flow. Confirm exact deadlines on the target university's page.
| Period | What happens |
|---|---|
| September – December (grade 12) | Programme list, check of the Türkiye eligibility rule (YKS field), German level plan and ÖSD / Goethe test calendar; IELTS for English-taught programmes |
| January – March | Online registration for tested programmes (MedAT, WU, psychology, architecture); private university and FH applications; translations and apostille |
| April – July | Zulassung applications to public universities (u:space etc.), MedAT (July), YKS result and placement document, high-school diploma and language certificate added |
| July – September | Admission notices; residence-permit application at the embassy / consulate general (apply early); insurance, proof of funds, housing application; 5 September final deadline |
| September – October | WU / psychology selection tests (August–September), arrival and Meldezettel, residence-permit card, fee payment and final enrolment; classes start on 1 October |
Tuition and living costs in Austria
In Austria the public university fee for non-EU students is low and fixed; the main item is living costs, especially housing in Vienna. The tuition and ÖH fees are revised by the government; the current amount is published on the university's page each semester.
| Item | Yearly range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Public university tuition (non-EU) | €1,450 – 1,550 | €726.72 per semester + ÖH fee of roughly €25 (2025; an increase is under discussion — verify). FH: €363 – 727 per semester or more depending on the institution |
| Private university tuition | €5,000 – 20,000 | Webster Vienna, MODUL, CEU, Sigmund Freud, Lauder; merit awards can reduce it |
| Living (Vienna) | €12,000 – 17,000 | €1,000 – 1,400 a month: housing, insurance, food, transport (discounted yearly student transport pass) |
| Living (Graz, Innsbruck, Linz, Salzburg) | €10,000 – 14,500 | €850 – 1,200 a month; lower in a student hall, housing pricier in Innsbruck |
| One-off | €1,000 – 2,000 | Residence-permit fees (roughly €160), translations and apostille, MedAT fee, insurance start, hall deposit; no blocked account needed — bank statements suffice |
Figures are approximate ranges as of 2026 and vary by university, city and programme. Always confirm current numbers on the university's and the official bodies' pages.
Scholarships and funding
Since public tuition is already low in Austria, scholarships target living costs and merit; most large programmes are for master's and PhD students, while university performance scholarships are open to enrolled bachelor's students.
OeAD grants (grants.at)
The Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation's Ernst Mach Grant and similar programmes; most are for master's, PhD and research stays, with limited bachelor's options. All calls are collected in the grants.at database; deadlines vary by programme.
Leistungsstipendium (university performance scholarship)
A one-off award public universities give to students who achieved a high GPA and enough ECTS in the previous academic year; open regardless of nationality. The amount varies by university and applications are made each autumn through the university's call.
Private university scholarships
Central European University (Vienna) supports international bachelor's students with an extensive need- and merit-based programme, Webster Vienna and MODUL with partial tuition awards; most require a separate scholarship form alongside the application.
Erasmus+ and joint programmes
An Erasmus+ exchange semester in Europe during studies; at master's level, Erasmus Mundus joint programmes can be fully funded. Some states and municipalities (e.g. Vienna, Tyrol) also offer limited support funds to enrolled students.
Well-known universities
A selection of universities Turkish students often apply to — a starting point, not a ranking.
Universität Wien
Vienna
One of the largest universities in the German-speaking world; humanities and social sciences, law, psychology, sciences
TU Wien
Vienna
Engineering, computer science, architecture; English-taught master's options
WU Wien (Wirtschaftsuniversität)
Vienna
Business, economics and law; English-taught bachelor's (BBE) and master's; tested entry
Medizinische Universität Wien
Vienna
Medicine and dentistry; entry via MedAT, taught in German
Universität Graz
Graz
Natural sciences, law, social sciences; lower living costs
TU Graz
Graz
Mechanical, electrical, civil and computer engineering; strong industry ties
Universität Innsbruck
Innsbruck
Sciences, architecture, business; an Alpine campus city
Johannes Kepler Universität Linz
Linz
Computer science, AI, mechatronics, law and business; a campus university
Visa and residence permit
Turkish citizens must obtain an "Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Student" (student residence permit) for studies longer than 6 months. The application is filed at the Austrian mission in Türkiye before departure; once approved an entry visa is issued and the card is collected in Austria.
- Application: in person, by appointment, at the Austrian Embassy in Ankara or the Consulate General in Istanbul, as soon as the admission notice (Zulassungsbescheid) is received. The statutory processing time can reach 90 days, so apply in early summer.
- Documents: admission notice, passport and photos, apostilled birth certificate and criminal-record certificate, health insurance, proof of accommodation (hall contract or lease), proof of funds: roughly €670–680 a month under 24 and roughly €1,270 a month over 24 (2025 figures; updated yearly) — showing the 12-month amount in a bank account is enough, no blocked account is required. Fees total roughly €160.
- Residence permit: the first permit is issued for 12 months and renewed each year in Austria (MA 35 in Vienna); renewal requires at least 16 ECTS or 8 semester hours of progress per year.
- Work: bachelor's and master's students may work up to 20 hours a week; the employer obtains a work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung) from the AMS — confirm the current limit in the legislation.
- After graduation: a 12-month residence permit to look for a job; once employed, the Red-White-Red Card for graduates.
For the current document list and amounts check migration.gv.at and the Embassy in Ankara.
How Studrise helps with your Austria application
From choosing the country to the visa file — one consultant, one calendar.
Country & programme fit
A balanced university list
The application file
Exam plan
Calendar & follow-up
After the offer
START HERE
Free consultation for Austria
Let's talk profile, target programme and budget, and settle which universities are realistic in the first call.
The first call is free; plan and price are settled in the call.
Academic preparation is part of the same plan
The coaching plan runs on the same calendar as the student's SAT, IELTS, AP and IB preparation; when needed, one-on-one lessons with expert teachers and Studrise AI Courses are added to the programme.
Frequently asked questions
Let's plan your Austria application together
In a free first call we look at where the student stands and what they aim for, propose a roadmap, and share the scope and price clearly.
Other countries
Countries students with a similar profile usually compare alongside this one.
Europe
Study in Germany
No tuition at public universities, only a semester contribution; entry via Studienkolleg or YKS placement, apply through uni-assist and a blocked account.
Europe
Study in Hungary
A long tradition of English-taught medicine, dentistry and engineering; the Stipendium Hungaricum full scholarship and lower living costs than Western Europe.
Europe
Study in Czechia
Tuition-free Czech-taught programmes at public universities, English-taught medicine and engineering; Prague and Brno among Europe's accessible student cities.