Updated on Oct, 20 2025 08:01 IST
The study of Food Sciences mainly involves three important concepts around food: physical, chemical, and biological makeup of food. During the course tenure, the individual gets to learn about the entire food journey starting from food production to processing to develop the best technology and techniques to preserve the nutritional value of our day-to-day food items. If you are looking to study food sciences in a foreign country, study the course in Austria. Austrian public and private universities offer a wide range of courses in the field of natural sciences and attracting many international aspirants to study food sciences in Austria. With emphasis on research-based education, Austrian universities cover all the modern concepts of food sciences. Also, you can study in Austria without a ton of financial burden on your shoulders. Austrian public universities offer bachelors and masters programs in both English and German language at a tuition fee of €727 per semester. Here is everything you need to know before applying for the course.
Before you plan to study in a foreign university, it is essential that you check your eligibility. Here are the details of the eligibility criteria you must meet to ensure that your application is selected to study food sciences in Austria:
For Bachelor’s in Food Sciences
12th grade from recognised Indian board with 60% and above marks.
Physics, Chemistry, and Math should be the main subjects of study.
Some universities have an entrance exam.
For Master’s in Food Sciences
You must hold a bachelor's degree in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from a recognised Indian university.
Grade Requirements: Minimum 70% marks required.
Professional Experience of 1-2 years is required by many universities for MS in Austria.
Language Proficiency Requirements for Bachelor’s and Master’s:
For English Taught Programs: To be eligible to study an English-taught program in Food Sciences, you must prove your English language proficiency through:
IELTS: A minimum overall band score of 7.0 and above.
TOEFL iBT: A minimum score of 95 and above.
For German Taught Programs: To study German-taught food sciences programs, you must prove B2/C1 level of German language proficiency through:
ÖSD Zertifikat C1
Goethe Institut – Goethe Zertifikat C1
TestDaF (minimum score of 4)
DSD II (Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz)
DSH 2 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang)
Once you check the eligibility criteria to study food sciences in Austria in the university of your choice, you must start preparing your documents. Here is the list of documents required by most Austrian Natural Sciences universities to study the course.
Academic and Educational Documents:
For Bachelor’s: 10th and 12th Marksheets, School Leaving Certificate
For Master's: Bachelor's Degree, You must submit semester-wise mark sheets
Language Proficiency Documents:
IELTS Score
TOEFL iBT Score
A certificate to prove B1/C2 level of German language proficiency for German-taught programs.
Identity Documents:
Passport with more than 18 months validity
Birth Certificate
Recent Passport-size Photos: 6-8
Financial Documents:
Bank Statements as a proof of funds
Application Documents:
Application Form
Statement of Purpose (SOP)/Motivation Letter
Letters of Recommendation
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
Work Experience/ Employment Letter for Masters
Health & Insurance Documents:
Health Insurance
Medical Fitness Certificate
Visa-Specific Documents:
Visa Application (Form D)
University Invitation Letter
Fee Payment Receipt
Accommodation Proof
Health Insurance
Travel Insurance
Travel Proof
Top universities of natural sciences in Austria offer modern curriculum in food sciences and related fields, to cover academic interests of students coming to study the course from across the world. Here are some of the top options to consider if you are looking to study food sciences in Austria:
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna:
Bachelors in Food Science
Masters in Food Science
University of Vienna
Bachelors in Nutritional Sciences
University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (FH Upper Austria), Wels
Bachelors in Food Technology and Nutrition
Masters in Food Technology and Nutrition
MCI Management Center Innsbruck (MCI)
Masters in Food Technology & Nutrition
There is a huge difference in the tuition fee charged by public universities in Austria in comparison to private universities. The tuition fee in private universities is quite high. Here are the complete details of fee to study food sciences in Austria:
| University/Institute | Degree Level | Non-EU/EEA Tuition Fee (per semester) |
|---|---|---|
| BOKU Vienna (Public) | Bachelor's | €727 |
| Master's | €727 | |
| University of Vienna (Public) | Bachelor's | €727 |
| Master's | €727 | |
| MCI Innsbruck (UAS) | Bachelor's | Varies |
| Master's | Varies | |
| FH Upper Austria (UAS) | Bachelor's | €727 |
| Master's | €727 | |
| University of Graz (Public) | Master's | €727 |
| Private Universities | Bachelor's/Master's | €1500–12,000 per semester |
Indian students looking to study food sciences in Austria are eligible for a wide range of scholarships and grants offered by the Austrian government and universities. Here are the scholarships you can apply for alongside your admission process:
Government Scholarships
Ernst Mach Grant – Worldwide: For Non-EU/EEA postgraduates seeking to conduct a research or study stay in Austria.
OeAD (Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation): The OeAD administers numerous scholarships for international students including Indians.
at Database: This is Austria's comprehensive official database for scholarships and research grants.
University-Specific Scholarships:
MCI Management Center Innsbruck: Offers various scholarships including:
50% tuition fee waiver
Sciences& Tech Scholarship
MCI Scholarship for Indian Students: Tuition fee wavier
BOKU Vienna (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences): Offers merit-based scholarships for students with good academic performance.
To study food sciences in Austria, you must check the language proficiency requirements of the course of your choice. Here are the details of German language proficiency requirements to study the course in the country:
For programs that are taught in German, you must demonstrate a B2/C1 level of German proficiency to be eligible to apply for the course.
For programs that are taught in English, you are not required to furnish any proof of German language proficiency.
Just like most European countries, Austria follows the Bologna process in terms of course structure and duration at both bachelors and masters levels. Here is how the course duration to study food sciences in Austria spans out:
Bachelor's degree
Standard duration: 3 years (divided into 6 semesters).
ECTS credits: 180 ECTS credits.
Master's degree
Standard duration: 2 years (divided into 4 semesters).
ECTS credits: 120 ECTS credits.
Most universities offer winter intake, which is the main intake as well as summer intake. It is important to know that the application deadlines for non-EU/EEA students are different from EU students. Here are the complete details of intake and deadlines to study food sciences in Austria:
Winter Semester (main intake)
Semester begins on October 1st.
Application period for Non-EU/EEA students: Students must apply latest by June.
Summer Semester (secondary intake)
Semester begins on March 1st.
Application period for Non-EU/EEA students: Students must apply latest by December.
The admission process to study food sciences in Austria is different for Non-EU/EEA students. Our experts at Anigdha can help you prepare everything in advance. Here is how the overall admission process looks like and how we will help you at each step:
University Selection: The first step in the admission process is to select the best university offering the programs in the field of food sciences. We will start by understanding your career aspirations and other parameters such as your budget to make an informed choice.
Documentation and Application: Once we have made a choice regarding the university, we will start collecting all your documents and our expert will fill your application form online. Our goal is to submit your application on time and with zero errors.
Approval and Fee Payment: Wait for a couple of weeks and the university will send you an approval if your candidature is found suitable. Once you get this approval, you will be asked to pay the tuition fee.
Confirmation and Visa Processing: After you have paid the fee, the university will send you an admission letter. This is a crucial document for visa processing. We will now help you in filling the visa application form and arranging the documents as per the embassy’s checklist. You can expect to receive your visa in 3-4 weeks.
Travel and Accommodation: Now that your visa is here, ask our expert for support in booking cheap flight tickets and finding affordable accommodation in Austria.
What are the language proficiency requirements to study food sciences in Austria?
Requirements will depend on the medium of instruction of the food sciences program, German-taught programs: ;B2/C1 level German proficiency. English-taught programs: B2/C1 level English proficiency through IELTS or TOEFL scores.
What is the tuition fee to study food programs in Austria?
Tuition fees to study food sciences in Austria, Public Universities: €727 per semester, Private Universities: €1500 to €12,000 per semester.
How much time does it take to get a Type D visa?
The whole process to receive your Type D visa from the embassy takes about 3-4 weeks.
Are there entrance exams to study food sciences in Austria?
Most universities may ask you to appear for an entrance exam to be eligible to study food sciences in Austria.
Are there any English-taught programs for food sciences in Austria?
Yes, many universities including the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) offer English-taught masters programs in food sciences.
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