Updated on Oct, 19 2025 08:20 IST
Study Political Science in Austria
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Political Science is a great field of study for anyone with an interest in current affairs, political ideologies, and the civil structure governing states and countries. If you want to dig deep into the dynamics of power and the complex relationships between the government and people of a country, study political science in Austria. The country offers a range of bachelors and masters programs in the field of political science with a strong focus on International Relations and European Union. From the history of political science to the modern-day challenges, the curriculum to study political science covers everything for an aspiring political professional. So, to get a degree that opens doors to career opportunities in politics, law, journalism, and public relations, study political science in Austria and that too at a highly affordable tuition fee of just€727 per semester. Here is everything you need to know about the country’s education system, admission process, and fee structure for Non-EU/EEA students looking to study in Austria.
Many Indian students are often confused about their eligibility to study in a foreign country. If you are one of them, here is the broad eligibility criteria followed by most Austrian government and private universities to study political science in Austria.
For Bachelor’s in Political Science
12th grade from recognised Indian board with 70% and above marks.
Some universities have an entrance exam and personal interview.
For Master’s in Political Science
You must hold a bachelor's degree in Political Science from a recognised Indian university.
Grade Requirements:Minimum marks should be 70% or above.
Relevant Professional Experience is required by many universities.
Language Proficiency Requirements for Bachelor’s and Master’s:
For English Taught Programs: To study an English-taught program in Political Science, you must have:
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 a German-taught program in Political Science, you must have:
ÖSD Zertifikat C1
Goethe Institut – Goethe Zertifikat C1
TestDaF(minimum score of 4)
To prove that you meet the eligibility criteria of the University of your Choice, you must submit a set of documents along with your application. Here is a standard checklist of all the documents required by Austrian universities offering political science programs:
Academic and Educational Documents:
For Bachelor’s: 10th and 12th Marksheets, School Leaving Certificate
For Master's: Bachelor's Degree, Semester-wise mark sheets (for all 6-8 semesters)
Language Proficiency Documents:
IELTS Score
TOEFL iBT Score
To study a German-taught program, a certificate to prove B1/C2 level of German language proficiency
Identity Documents:
Passport
Birth Certificate
Recent Passport-size Photos: 6-8
Financial Documents:
Bank Statements
Application Documents:
Application Form
Statement of Purpose (SOP)/Motivation Letter
Letters of Recommendation
Detailed Resume
Work Experience/ Employment Letter for MS in Austria
Health & Insurance Documents:
Health Insurance
Medical Fitness Certificate
Visa-Specific Documents:
Visa Application (Form D)
University Admission/Invitation Letter
Tuition Fee Payment Receipt
Accommodation Proof
Flight Tickets
Health Insurance
Travel Insurance
Now that you have decided to apply for the course to study political science in Austria, here are the top Austrian universities offering both bachelors and masters programs in political science in German and English language:
University of Vienna
Bachelors in Political Science
Masters in Political Science
Masters in International Relations
Masters in Political Communication
Central European University (CEU), Vienna
Master of Arts in Politics
University of Salzburg
Bachelors in Political Science
Masters in Political Science
Masters in European Union Studies
University of Graz
Bachelors in Political Science
Masters in Political Science
Masters in Southeast European Studies
Masters in European Union Studies
University of Innsbruck
Bachelors in Political Science
Masters in Political Science
Every year, thousands of Indian students choose Austria to study political science courses due to high-quality education and affordability in terms of tuition fee. Here is what public and private universities charge in terms of tuition fee to study political science in Austria:
| University Type | Student Origin | Tuition Fee (per semester) |
|---|---|---|
| Public | Non-EU/EEA | €727 |
| Private | All | €6,000 to €8,000 per semester |
| UAS | Non-EU/EEA | Varies |
A wide range of scholarship options are available for international students looking to study political science in Austria. Here are the details of grants and fellowships offered by the Austrian government and universities for Non-EU/EEA students:
Government Scholarships:
Ernst Mach Grant – Worldwide:This grant is for postgraduates from non-European countries who want to study in Austria for 1 to 9 months.
Franz Werfel Fellowship:Available for young university teachers and researchers focusing on Austrian history and political science research.
OeAD Database (grants.at):The Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation (OeAD) maintains a comprehensive official database of scholarships and research grants.
Erasmus+:This EU program provides grants for study mobility in Austria.
University-specific Scholarships
Central European University: Offers financial aid for English-taught graduate programs in politics and offers Master's scholarships based on merit.
University of Vienna: Offers institutional grants for students in research-intensive Master's programs.
Johannes Kepler University: Offers scholarships for international students both merit-based and need-based.
University of Graz: Offers merit-based scholarships for international students including Indians.
Most bachelors programs in political science are German-taught and hence, as an Indian student you must prove your German language proficiency through acceptable tests. Here are the complete details of German level proficiency required to study political science in Austria:
To study a German-taught program in political science in Austria, you must demonstrate German-language proficiency of at least B2/C1 level. Here are the language tests most universities will accept:
Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch (ÖSD)
Goethe-Institut
Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF)
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)
Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
Telc Deutsch
The course duration to study political science in Austria is standard as per the Bologna process. It consists of semester cycles and academic years. Here is how the course duration for bachelors and masters programs in political science spans out in Austria:
Bachelor's Degree (BA) in Political Science
Course Duration:3 years (6 semesters).
ECTS Credits:180 credits.
Master's Degree (MA) in Political Science
Course Duration:1 to 2 years (2 to 4 semesters)
ECTS Credits:60 to 120 credits.
If you are an Indian student looking to study political science in Austria, we advise that you must apply at least 6 months before the session starts. Doing so will give you enough time bracket for visa application and other admission formalities. Here are the important deadlines to remember:
Winter (main intake) with maximum courses in history:
Semester Begins inOctober 1st
Application deadlines for Non-EU/EEA students:Latest by June-end.
Summer (offered by few universities for limited programs):
Semester Begins inMarch 1st
Application deadlines for Non-EU/EEA students:Latest by December-end.
If you are an Indian student wondering how to apply to an Austrian university, our experts at Anigdha are here to help you out. Here is the admission process to study political science in Austria and get to know how our expert team will be there to support you at each crucial step:
Select the University and Program: We will together select the best university and program depending on your eligibility, career goals, budget, and language preferences. Our team has already conducted thorough research about Austrian universities.
Arrange Documents: Once you decide your program and university, we will arrange all the required documents that will go along with your application.
Apply Online: We will now help you in filling the application form online to ensure time and error-free submission of your application to study political science in Austria.
Wait for the Approval: You will have to wait for a couple of weeks for the university to review and approve your application. If the university is satisfied with your documents, you will receive an intimation of approval.
Pay the Fee: The moment you get an approval intimation, pay the tuition fee within the defined timeline to get your admission/invitation letter from the university as a final confirmation of your admission.
Begin Visa Processing: We will now start compiling all your visa documents and help you in filling your visa application form for smooth and hassle-free visa processing.
Arrange Travel and Accommodation: Once you get your visa, you can ask us to book flight tickets and find accommodation for an affordable and comfortable travel and stay once you reach Austria.
Can I work part-time while studying political science in Austria to cover my expenses?
Yes, as a Non-EU/EEA student, you can work up to 20 hours in a week during your study program.
When does the winter semester begin in Austria?
The semester for winter session begins in the first week of October.
What is the cost of living in Austria for Indians?
The cost of living will depend on your lifestyle however, you can expect to spend an estimated amount of€900–€1,500 per month on your food, utility, and accommodation.
What are the IELTS and TOEFL scores required to study political science in Austria?
The minimum required scores are IELTS Academic:6.5 and above or TOEFL iBT:90 and above
Do Austrian universities provide hostel facilities?
Austrian universities have no facility of campus-managed hostels. There are non-profit organisations running student dormitories or you have the option to rent a private accommodation.
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