Updated on Oct, 19 2025 10:54 IST
Study philosophy in Austria and acquire the best skills through a blend of intellectual and cultural diversity. When you study in Austria, you get a bachelors or a master’s degree in philosophy to hone your skills of critical thinking and problem-solving. These qualities are valued by diverse industries and professions including: law, journalism, education, and business management. So, we can say that a degree in philosophy is like your gateway to professional growth, which gives its holder the power to think independently and critically engage with the world. Universities in Austria offer German and English-taught programs in the field of philosophy to international students at a highly affordable tuition fee of just about €1500 per annum. Also, the admission process for Non-EU/EEA students is fairly simple in comparison to other European countries. If you are looking to study in Austria, here is all that you need to know about the eligibility criteria, documentation, language proficiency requirements, crucial deadlines, admission process, and more.
The eligibility criteria for Non-EU/EEA students looking to study in Austria is slightly different from EU students. Here is the criteria you must meet to be eligible to study philosophy in Austria as an Indian student:
For Bachelor’s in Philosophy
12th board with 70% and above marks.
Your main subjects of study should be History and Economics.
For Master’s in Philosophy
You must hold a bachelor's degree in Philosophy from a recognised Indian university.
Grade Requirements: Minimum 70% marks required.
Professional experience of 1-2 years may be criteria for some universities for Master's Degree in Austria.
Language Proficiency Requirements for Bachelor’s and Master’s:
For English Taught Programs: To apply for an English-taught program in philosophy, demonstrate 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 philosophy, demonstrate proficiency through:
ÖSD Zertifikat C1
Goethe Institut – Goethe Zertifikat C1
TestDaF (minimum score of 4)
Have you finalised the university to study philosophy in Austria? Well, you are now required to arrange a set of personal and academic documents to prove your eligibility. Here is the checklist followed by most universities ready for you:
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
If you sit down to compare, not a single university in Austria lags in terms of quality education and infrastructure. Here is a list of top public and private universities in Austria offering a wide range of programs in the field of philosophy:
University of Vienna
Bachelors in Philosophy
Masters in Philosophy
Masters in Philosophy and Economics
Central European University (CEU)
Bachelors in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)
Master of Arts in Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy
University of Salzburg
Bachelors in Philosophy
Bachelors in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
Masters in Philosophy
University of Innsbruck
Bachelors in Philosophy
Masters in Philosophy
Masters in Philosophy of Religion
University of Graz
Bachelors in Philosophy
Masters in Philosophy
Masters in Political, Economic and Legal Philosophy (PELP)
The tuition fee to study philosophy in Austria at a public university is already on the lower side. Austria has made quality education affordable to all. Here are the details of the tuition fee charged by different public and private universities offering the program in philosophy:
| Tuition Fee | Non-EU/EEA Students |
|---|---|
| Public universities: Tuition fee | €1500 per year |
| Private universities: Tuition fee | Varies between €3,000 and €23,000 per year |
As an Indian student, you have the option to explore different scholarships offered by the Austrian government and universities. Here are the details of various grants you can explore to ease of your financial burden to study philosophy in Austria:
Government Scholarships
Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide: Available to postgraduates from all over the world who wish to conduct a research project in Austria.
Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation:The OeAD manages scholarship programs for international students, including grants for short-term stays. These can cover tuition, living, and travel of students from different countries.
University-specific Scholarships
Central European University (CEU): CEU Master's Scholarships: Merit-based scholarships are available for master's students.
University of Vienna: Study grants: Needs-based study grants are available for international students.
Are you an Indian student looking to study philosophy in Austria? Well, you must know that most programs at the bachelor's level are offered in German language however, here are the details of the German level proficiency requirements for you to be eligible to study the program:
For English-taught programs, you are not required to prove German-language proficiency.
For German-taught programs, you must demonstrate your German-language proficiency through one of the given tests:
Osterreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch (OSD)
The TestDaF
Goethe-Zertifikat
The Goethe-Zertifikat C2
Telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
The duration to study philosophy in Austria will depend on the level of your degree. Bachelor’s programs are spanned between three years to four years and master’s programs are spanned between one to two years. Here are the complete details:
| University | Degree Level | Program | Language | Standard Duration |
| Central European University (CEU), Vienna | Master's (MA) | Philosophy | English | 1 year or 2 years |
| Bachelor's (BA) | Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) | English | 4 years | |
| University of Vienna | Bachelor's (BA) | Philosophy | German | 3 years |
| Master's (MA) | Philosophy and Economics | German/English | 2 years | |
| University of Salzburg | Bachelor's (BA) | Philosophy | German | 3 years |
| Master's (MA) | Philosophy | English | 2 years | |
| Bachelor's (BA) | Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) | German | 3 years | |
| University of Graz | Bachelor's (BA) | Philosophy | German | 3 years |
| University of Applied Arts Vienna | Bachelor's (BA) | Cross-Disciplinary Strategies in Philosophy | English | 3 years |
The admission process for Non-EU/EEA students starts months before the admission period begins for EU students. So, it is important to keep the deadline and intake details in mind. Here are the key dates to remember while applying for the course:
| University | Intake | Application deadlines for (Non-EU/EEA) |
| University of Vienna | Winter (October) | By June End |
| Summer (March) | By January End | |
| University of Salzburg | Winter (October) | By June End |
| Summer (March) | By January End | |
| Central European University (CEU) | Winter (October) | By June End |
| Summer (March) | By January End |
At Anigdha, we have simplified the process to study abroad for thousands of Indian students. Here is how the admission process to study philosophy in Austria looks like and how our experts will offer you the much-needed support at each step:
University Selection: We will start by understanding your career goals, budget, and eligibility to identify the best university that perfectly aligns with all your requirements after matching your eligibility with their criteria.
Documentation and Application: We will gather all your documents as per the university’s requirement and our expert will also guide you in filling the online application form accurately.
Fee Payment: Wait for the approval and once you receive the same, pay the tuition fee to receive the final admission confirmation or invitation letter from the university.
Visa Processing: Once you receive the admission approval, we will begin your visa procedure by compiling your documents and filling your visa application form for timely processing of your visa.
Travel and Accommodation: You will get your Type D visa and we will make your travel and accommodation arrangements so that everything goes smoothly till your arrival.
Is it mandatory to have a health insurance to study philosophy in Austria?
Yes, you must have health insurance that should cover all your medical costs in the country.
What is the level of proficiency required to study German-taught programs in Austria?
To be eligible to study a German-taught program in Austria, you must demonstrate a B1/C2 level of German language proficiency.
How much should I score in 12th grade to apply for a Bachelor’s program in Philosophy in Austria?
You must score 70% or above in your 12th exam to apply for the course.
Can I work while studying in Austria?
Yes, Non-EU/EEA students are allowed to work for about 20 hours in a week during their study tenure.
What is the course duration to study a master’s program in Austria?
The Master’s program in Philosophy is spanned across 1-2 years (2-4 semesters).
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