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Update on - 05 Nov, 2026
Today, Austria has become a popular choice to study abroad at an affordable cost. Every year it attracts thousands of international students with its low fees and globally recognised degrees. It is also considered one of the happiest and safest countries in Europe with a secure environment. If you are planning your journey to study in Austria, then you must go through the full cost of studying in Austria.
In this guide, we have broken down the tuition fee criteria in Austria, along with your courses and the overall living cost structure. Continue reading to know more.
Austria is considered one of the most affordable study destinations in comparison with countries like the UK, USA, or Canada. The exact cost depends on your citizenship and institution type. Austria has three main types of universities, in which public universities have a fixed standard fee for international students, while students from EU/EEA countries are generally exempted from tuition fees during the standard duration. Let's look at this in detail:
Public universities: These universities in Austria are funded by the government and are mostly tuition-free for students from EU/EEA countries, so they can study in Austria for free (paying only a small student union fee). If you are an international student from a country like India, you pay a fixed fee of €726.72 per semester (approx. ?77,162), which equals €1,453.44 per year (approx. ?1,54,324).
Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen): These universities focus on practical training and career skills development. If you hold an EU/EEA passport, your fees are between €0 and €363.36 per semester. If you are an Indian student from outside Europe, the university sets its own tuition fee based on the program, typically ranging between €727 and €2,000 per semester. The student union fee is compulsory for all at €26.20 per semester (approx. ?2,782).
Private universities: These universities run independently and are more expensive compared to public institutions. Their advantage is that they offer specialised faculties, small class sizes, and English-taught programs. Because they are not state-funded, tuition fees start around €3,000 and go up to €23,000+ per year.
Apart from tuition, there are monthly living expenses in Austria such as accommodation, food, health insurance, and transport that you need to plan for.
The tuition fee at public universities in Austria is fixed at €726.72 per semester for international students in regular degree programs. While the base fee is fixed, you may need to budget a small extra amount for lab supplies or practical training in specific courses. Here is the fee classification across the top universities in Austria:
Medicine and Medical Universities Fees in Austria
If you want to pursue medical sciences, human medicine, or dentistry, these three public medical universities are known for clinical excellence, university hospitals, and advanced medical research. Check the fee structure:
| Name of the University | Tuition Fees per Semester |
|---|---|
| Medical University of Vienna | €726.72 |
| Medical University of Graz | €726.72 |
| Medical University of Innsbruck | €726.72 |
Technical and Engineering Universities Fees in Austria
If you have a passion for building new things and solving technical problems, these four universities are known for engineering and technology. They also work closely with industry, so you get practical experience along with your degree:
| Name of the University | Tuition Fees per Semester |
|---|---|
| TU Wien – Vienna University of Technology | €726.72 |
| Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) | €726.72 |
| Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) | €726.72 |
| Montanuniversität Leoben | €726.72 |
Computer Science, IT and Artificial Intelligence Universities Fees in Austria
If you are interested in software, data, or artificial intelligence, these four universities offer strong programs in the field. JKU Linz was also the first university in Austria to offer a dedicated degree in artificial intelligence. Check the table for tuition fees in Austria:
| Name of the University | Tuition Fees per Semester |
|---|---|
| TU Wien | €726.72 |
| Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) | €726.72 |
| University of Klagenfurt | €726.72 |
| University of Vienna | €726.72 |
Business and Management Universities Fees in Austria
If you want to build a career in business, finance, or management, these four universities give you the right start. WU Wien is one of the largest and most prestigious business universities in Europe. Follow the table below for the fee structure:
| Name of the University | Tuition Fees per Semester |
|---|---|
| Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Wien) | €726.72 |
| University of Vienna | €726.72 |
| University of Graz | €726.72 |
| Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) | €726.72 |
Natural Sciences and Environmental Studies Universities Fees in Austria
If subjects like nature, climate, and the environment interest you, these four universities cover them in detail. BOKU University focuses entirely on natural resources and life sciences. Here is the fee table for you:
| Name of the University | Tuition Fees per Semester |
|---|---|
| BOKU University (Vienna) | €726.72 |
| University of Vienna | €726.72 |
| University of Innsbruck | €726.72 |
| University of Graz | €726.72 |
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Universities Fees in Austria
If you enjoy languages, history, society, or creative design, these four universities have courses to match your interest. The University of Applied Arts Vienna is a top institution if you want to study art and design. Below is the Austrian tuition fee information for you:
| Name of the University | Tuition Fees per Semester |
|---|---|
| University of Vienna | €726.72 |
| University of Salzburg | €726.72 |
| University of Graz | €726.72 |
| University of Applied Arts Vienna | €726.72 |
Therefore, apart from the tuition fee, you also need to handle some additional and mandatory expenses in Austria.
There are a few more costs that you need to plan for during your course duration in Austria. Some of them are compulsory for every student, while others apply only to certain students or programs:
Student Union fee (ÖH-Beitrag): Every student needs to pay this fee each semester, even if the tuition fee is waived. It is €26.20 per semester for 2026/27 and includes student accident and liability insurance.
Health insurance: You need health insurance that covers all risks to get your student residence permit. The standard option is the ÖGK student self-insurance, which costs €78.84 per month (~€946 per year).
Residence permit charges: Students from India need a student residence permit before they enter Austria. The fee is €218, and you apply for your Visa D (€150) at the Austrian Embassy/VFS after the permit is approved.
Application or admission charges: Public universities in Austria usually do not charge a general application fee, but private universities and some universities of applied sciences may charge an application fee. Medical programs also require the MedAT entrance test, which has its own registration fee.
Lab and program-specific fees: Some courses charge extra for lab exercises, field trips, or studio materials. The amount depends on the course and the university.
The overall cost of studying in Austria for an Indian student is around €13,770 in the first year, which is about €1,147 per month or approximately ?14.93 Lakh. The budget below is for a student at a public university in Vienna, which is generally the most expensive city; smaller cities like Graz, Linz, and Innsbruck have lower rent and transport costs.
Monthly living cost in Austria:
Accommodation: €450 for a dorm room or a shared flat, including utilities.
Food and groceries: €300 if you cook at home.
Public transport: €25 with the semester student pass in Vienna.
Health insurance: €78.84 for the ÖGK student self-insurance.
Personal expenses: €150 for mobile, internet, clothes, and outings.
This comes to around €1,004 per month for living expenses (approximately ?1.09 Lakh/month).
Including two semesters of public university tuition (€1,453.44), student union fees (€52.40), and initial residence permit charges (€218), the total cost to study in Austria is approximately €13,770 for the first year (around ?14.93 Lakh).
How much does it cost to study in Austria for Indian students?
The total cost is around €13,770 in the first year, which is around ?14.93 Lakh. This includes tuition fees of €1,453.44 for two semesters at a public university, living expenses of around €1,004 per month, student union fees, and the one-time residence permit fee.
What are the tuition fees at public universities in Austria?
Public universities charge €726.72 per semester to students from India (~?78,800), which makes €1,453.44 per year. You also need to pay a compulsory Student Union (ÖH) fee of €26.20 per semester, which includes accident and liability insurance.
How much do private universities in Austria charge?
Private universities set their own fees, and the amount varies with the university and the program. Tuition fees usually start around €3,000 per year and can go up to €23,000 or more. Check the fee page of the university before you apply.
Which universities in Austria have affordable tuition fees?
Every public university charges the same statutory tuition fee (€726.72 per semester), so all of them are equally affordable. This includes the University of Vienna, TU Wien, University of Graz, University of Innsbruck, Johannes Kepler University Linz, and Montanuniversität Leoben. The difference comes from the city, as living costs in Graz and Linz are lower than in Vienna.
What is the overall cost of studying in Austria per year?
The overall cost is around €13,770 in the first year, which includes tuition, student union fees, living expenses, and the residence permit fee. In the second year it is around €13,550 (approx. ?14.69 Lakh), plus the renewal fee when your permit requires renewal.
Yes, Austria is highly affordable for Indian students, and your final cost depends on the choices you make. A public university has low tuition fees while a private university can cost several times more. The city you choose also shapes your budget, as rent and daily expenses are easier to manage in Graz or Linz than in Vienna. If you plan these things smartly, then Austria can be the ideal choice for your budget.
Want to know more about the exact cost of studying in Austria? You can book a free consulting session today. Our education consultants for Austria are happy to support you.
