Updated on Oct, 20 2025 07:50 IST
Study of history is a great choice for students with intellectual curiosity to learn about issues from more than one perspective. History as a subject is not only meant for aspiring historians but, it also offers a strong ground for aspiring journalists, public relation officers and administrators. One can say that a degree in history is your gateway to an array of career opportunities that empower you to navigate the change the current world demands. So, to get started, you must identify the best countries and universities offering courses in history. If you are looking to study history in Europe, Austria can be an excellent choice for you. Austrian universities are known for their world-class infrastructure and high-quality education. Top Institutions in Austria like Central European University and University of Vienna offer German and English-taught programs at an affordable fee structure of less than €1500 per year. From eligibility criteria to admission process, here are all the important details you must know to study in Austria.
The eligibility criteria for Non-EU/EEA students including Indians are quite different from what it is for the EU students looking to study History in Austria. To help you out, here is a broad criteria you must meet to be eligible to apply for the course:
For Bachelor’s in History
12th grade from recognised Indian board with 70% and above marks.
Your main subjects of study should be History and Economics.
Some universities have an entrance exam conducted in German language.
For Master’s in History
You must hold a bachelor's degree in History, Humanities, or Social Sciences from a recognised Indian university.
Grade Requirements: Minimum 70% marks required.
Relevant Professional Experience of 1-2 years is required by many universities for MS Course in Austria.
Language Proficiency Requirements for Bachelor’s and Master’s:
For English Taught Programs: To apply for an English-taught program in History, prove your language-proficiency through:
IELTS: A minimum overall band score of 6.5 and above.
TOEFL iBT: A minimum score of 90 and above.
For German Taught Programs: To study German-taught programs in History, prove your language proficiency through:
OSD Zertifikat C1
Goethe Institut – Goethe Zertifikat C1
TestDaF (minimum score of 4)
To prove your eligibility to study history in Austria, you must submit a set of educational and personal documents. Here is a list of documents you are required to submit to study bachelor’s or master’s program in history:
Academic and Educational Documents:
For Bachelor’s: 10th and 12th Marksheets, School Leaving Certificate
For Master's: Bachelor's Degree, All the marksheets required
Language Proficiency Documents:
IELTS Score
TOEFL iBT Score
Proof of German language proficiency for German-taught programs.
Identity Documents:
Passport
Birth Certificate
Recent Passport-size Photos: 6-8
Financial Documents:
Bank Statements
Application Documents:
University Application Form
Statement of Purpose (SOP)/Motivation Letter
Letters of Recommendation
Curriculum Vitae
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
Travel Proof (Flight Tickets)
Health Insurance
Travel Insurance
Enrol yourself with a top Austrian university offering courses in the field of history. Here is a list of top public and private universities offering bachelors and masters programs in history, historical studies, and global history in Austria:
University of Vienna
Bachelors in History
Masters in History
Masters in Contemporary History and Media
Masters in Global History and Global Studies
Central European University (CEU)
Master of Arts in Historical Studies
Master of Arts in European Women's and Gender History (MATILDA)
University of Graz
Bachelors in History
Masters in Southeast European Studies
University of Salzburg
Bachelors in History
Masters in History
University of Innsbruck
Bachelors in History
Masters in History
Public universities in Austria are quite affordable when compared to private universities. If you are looking to study history in Austria, here is what you can expect to pay as a tuition fee in different types of universities offering the course:
| Type of University | Non-EU/EEA Students | Union Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Public universities | €727 per semester | €25 per semester |
| Private universities | Between €1500 to €12,000 per semester | €25 per semester |
| Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) | €727 per semester |
Indian students are eligible to apply for a wide range of scholarships and grants offered by the Austrian government and universities on merit and need basis. Explore the scholarship options below and ease your financial burden to study history in Austria:
Government Scholarships:
Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation (OeAD): Main provider of government-sponsored grants for international students.
Ernst Mach Grant – Worldwide: Provides funding for postgraduate studies and research in history.
Richard Plaschka Fellowship: For researchers focusing on Austrian history.
Franz Werfel Fellowship: For university teachers in Austrian literature and historical studies.
Grants.at: Can be used to search for funding opportunities by filtering your nationality and program.
University-Funded Scholarships:
Central European University (CEU), Vienna
Gerd Bucerius History Scholarship: For merit-based scholarship for MA students in Historical Studies.
Bak Award: Merit-based award for students focusing on medieval Central Europe.
Erasmus Mundus programs
MATILDA Master's Program: Fully funded opportunities for study at different European universities.
Erasmus+ Grants: The EU program offers grants for study mobility in Austria including history programs.
Most foreign countries require international students to demonstrate local language proficiency and Austria in no exception. If you are planning to study a German-taught program in history, you must go these German level requirements set by Austrian universities. To study a German-taught program in Austria, you are required to demonstrate B2/C1 level of German-language proficiency through:
OSD Zertifikat C1
Goethe Institut – Goethe Zertifikat C1
TestDaF (minimum score of 4)
For English-taught programs, you are not required to prove German-language proficiency.
As far as the academic structure is concerned, Austrian universities follow the Bologna process. If you are looking to study a bachelor’s and master’s program in the field of history, here is how the course duration spans out:
Bachelor's Degree (BA) in History
Course Duration: 3 years (6 semesters).
Master's Degree (MA) in History
Course Duration: 1 to 2 years (2 to 4 semesters).
The deadlines to apply for the course will depend on student’s citizenship and the session. Here are the details of both the intakes along with deadlines of application for Non-EU/EEA students looking to study history in Austria:
Winter Semester – Main Intake (semester starts in October)
Deadlines for Non-EU/EEA students:You must send your application before June-end.
Summer Semester (semester starts in March):
Deadlines for Non-EU/EEA students: You must send your application before December-end.
If you looking to study abroad, it is always advised to contact an expert educational consultant for personalised guidance. At Anigdha, we aim to simplify the admission process to study history in Austria. Here is how we help our students at each step:
University Selection: The process begins with selecting the right university and program for you to study history in Austria. Our experts have all the details about Austrian universities offering arts courses.
Documentation: We will arrange and compile all your educational and personal documents required to submit your application.
Application: We will fill your application form to ensure that your application is submitted on time and free of errors to ensure there are no chances of rejection.
Fee Payment: Once your application is reviewed and approved by the university, you will be asked to pay the fee within a defined time limit to receive your admission/invitation letter which is a crucial document for visa processing.
Visa Processing: We will compile all your visa documents and help you fill your visa application form for timely and hassle-free processing of your Type D visa which takes around 3-4 weeks.
Travel and Accommodation: Our role does not end when you receive your visa. You can count on us for affordable travel and accommodation arrangements including local support in Austria.
Can I work part-time while studying history in Austria?
Yes, Non-EU/EEA students are allowed to work up to 20 hours in a week during their course tenure.
Can I study an English-taught history program in Austria without IELTS or TOEFL?
No, you must demonstrate your English language proficiency through IELTS or TOEFL to study an English-taught program in history in Austria.
Is there only one intake to study history in Austria?
While winter intake is the main, many public universities do offer summer intake to study history in Austria.
When does the summer semester begin to study history in Austria?
The semester for summer session to study history in Austria begins in the first week of March.
Am I required to pay all my tuition fee at once?
No, as a non-EU/EEA student, you are required to pay your tuition fee semester-wise.
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