Universities and other institutions of tertiary education

How can I study at a university, a college of education or other institutions of tertiary education?

Prerequisites:

• In Austria you need a “Matura” (= general qualification for university entrance) to study at a university, a technical college, a college of education or other institutions of tertiary education:
  • At the ASBB (information in German) your general qualification for university entrance is evaluated.
  • You can find out here if your qualifications from your home country are recognized as a general qualification for university entrance in Austria.
  • You can find out about the option for receiving your general qualification for university entrance later in life here.
• If you need a confirmation for a missing final school diploma, ask at the ministry of education.
• Find out if you need to a Studienberechtigungsprüfung (= “Limited Higher Education Entrance Qualification”, information in German).
• Your age is not relevant if you want to go to university, there are also retired people who start to study at universities!
• The Österreichische Integrationsfonds (ÖIF) (= Austrian fund for integration) pays certain costs related to studies. Get further information at the ÖIF.

University:

• Think carefully about what you want to study and where. There are many universities in Austria and each university and each subject has different admission requirements. You can find out which diplomas you need and if your studies from your home country are going to be recognised by contacting the registrar’s office:
  • information about university studies (information in German)
  • Informations about choosing the right program for you
  • admission at the University of Vienna
• Prerequisites: Usually a german degree at B2 level, inquire at the registrar’s office.
• The semester starts either in October or in March each year. Be careful to sign up on time!

How do universities of applied studies work in Austria?

• Information about universities of applied sciences

How do post-secondary courses work in Austria?

• Information about post-secondary courses

How does the college of education work in Austria?

• Information about colleges of education (information in German)

Financing your studies:

• The costs of studying at universities, colleges, etc. are low: https://www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/content/16/Seite.1601041.html
• Most students in Austria work part-time or in mini-jobs:
  • Online board for jobs for students (information in German)
  • Online board for summer jobs (information in German)
• There are different scholarships – find out if you are eligible for one of them:
  • Visit the study grant office and find out about your opportunities.
  • Search online on www.grants.at for aid and scholarships.
  • Sozialfonds (information in German)
  • Liese-Prokop-Stipendium des Österreichischen Integrationsfonds (a special scholarship from the ÖIF, information in German)
  • Scholarships for refugees

Further support:

• The MORE Initiative offers courses and programs especially for refugees.
• The University of Vienna offers free scientific and extra-curricular courses through its Open Learning Initiative.