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Update on - 05 Nov, 2026
Among more than 75 higher education institutions and specialised universities, there are 10 top universities in Austria that lead the country. These universities are listed as per the QS ranking standards and are considered the best 10 universities in Austria. If you are interested in knowing more about them, then it is worth checking this guide.
This article includes specific highlights of each and every university, along with how you can take admission into them, so read till the end.
Austria has prestigious universities with strong global ranking positions. Most of them are recognised public universities, which are much more affordable than institutions in other Western countries. Here is the table of the top 10 universities in Austria according to the QS World University Rankings:
| Top Universities in Austria | QS Ranking (2027) | Location | Tuition Fees | Category | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Vienna | #140 | Vienna | €726.72 per semester | Public | Humanities, Law, Life Sciences, Computer Science, Economics |
| TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) | #191 | Vienna | €726.72 per semester | Public | Architecture, Computer Science, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering |
| University of Innsbruck | #333 | Innsbruck | €726.72 per semester | Public | Physics, Mountain Research, Medicine, Business, Humanities |
| Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) | #409 | Graz | €726.72 per semester | Public | Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Process Engineering |
| Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) | #458 | Linz | €726.72 per semester | Public | Mechatronics, Artificial Intelligence, Business Law, Medicine |
| University of Salzburg | #572 | Salzburg | €726.72 per semester | Public | Law, Political Science, Cultural Studies, Digital Humanities |
| University of Klagenfurt | #683 | Klagenfurt | €726.72 per semester | Public | Game Studies, Informatics, Business Administration and Media |
| University of Graz | #696 | Graz | €726.72 per semester | Public | Psychology, Environmental Systems Sciences, Law, Theology |
| Montanuniversität Leoben | #851 | Leoben | €726.72 per semester | Public | Mining Engineering, Metallurgy, Petroleum Engineering, Materials Science |
| Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Wien) | Top Tier in QS Business & Management Rankings | Vienna | €726.72 per semester | Public | International Business, Finance, Economics, Business Law, MBA, Supply Chain |
Note: The tuition fee at public universities in Austria is fixed by the Austrian federal government for international students across public universities (€726.72 per semester), plus a mandatory ~€25–€26.20 student union and insurance fee every semester.
1. University of Vienna
Founded in 1365, the University of Vienna is one of the oldest and largest universities in Europe and ranks among the top 150 universities globally. Every year, it attracts over 20,000 international students. It is also known for its rich academic legacy, with 15 Nobel Prize winners associated with the university. It offers around 185 degree programs across fields like humanities, natural sciences, law, computer science, and economics. It supports both English- and German-taught programs, with around 30 percent of its master's programs offered in English. It is ranked as the #1 university in Austria across major global rankings.
2. TU Wien – Vienna University of Technology
TU Wien is the largest research and teaching institution in Austria for science, technology, and engineering. If you want to build robots, develop software, or design architecture in Austria, this is the place to go. Founded in 1815, it is over 210 years old and is ranked as the premier technical university in Austria. It primarily focuses on STEM courses in Austria and is equipped with advanced research laboratories and practical training.
3. University of Innsbruck
Founded in 1669, the University of Innsbruck is surrounded by the Alpine mountains and is renowned as a leading mountain and science university. It welcomes around 28,000 students, including thousands of international students. It is world-famous for quantum physics, climate science, and alpine research. Across its 16 faculties, you can study a wide spectrum of natural sciences, humanities, law, and business subjects.
4. Graz University of Technology (TU Graz)
TU Graz is the second-largest technical university in Austria and is widely famous for its engineering, computer science, and natural science courses. One of the best parts about this university is its close ties with technical and automotive industries in Styria, giving students strong internship and career opportunities. It focuses on STEM courses and provides numerous English-taught master's programs.
5. Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU)
JKU Linz is a modern, innovation-driven university in Austria that pioneered degrees in Mechatronics and Artificial Intelligence. Unlike multi-site urban universities, JKU has a green, unified main campus in Linz. Founded in 1966, it is the largest research and teaching institution in Upper Austria with around 20,000 students (over 18 percent international). Its four faculties cover social and economic sciences, engineering and natural sciences, law, and medicine. If you are interested in computer science, mechatronics, or AI, JKU is an ideal choice.
6. University of Salzburg
Founded in 1622 and re-established in 1962, the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg attracts a vibrant community of 18,000 students from all around the world. Around 60% of enrolled students are women. It includes 6 main faculties and more than 80 degree courses, with several English-taught master's programs (such as in Geoinformatics, Geography, and Science and Technology of Materials).
7. University of Klagenfurt
Founded in 1970 and formerly known as Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt, it is the largest university in the state of Carinthia. It has around 13,300 students, including about 2,500 international students. It offers 55 degree courses, several of which are taught in English (including Game Studies and Engineering, Informatics, and International Management). It also houses a start-up centre and Europe's largest indoor drone hall, opened in 2019.
8. University of Graz
Founded in 1585, the University of Graz is the second-oldest university in Austria. It has around 30,000 students (about 20% international). Nobel Prize winners like Ludwig Boltzmann and Otto Loewi studied or taught here. It features a green central campus and offers English-taught programs for masters in Austria, including through its NAWI Graz collaboration with TU Graz in physics, chemistry, biotechnology, and environmental sciences.
9. Montanuniversität Leoben
Founded in 1840 as a mining academy and relocated to Leoben in 1849, Montanuniversität Leoben is Austria's specialised technical university for mining, metallurgy, petroleum engineering, and advanced materials. It has around 3,000 to 4,000 students, about 17% of whom are international. The first year of every bachelor's degree covers a common foundation in mathematics, programming, chemistry, and mechanics. It offers courses in both German and English and maintains the historic mining tradition called the Ledersprung (leather jump).
10. Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Wien)
Founded in 1898, WU Wien is the largest university for business and economics in Europe, with around 23,000 students (about 9,000 international). It holds the prestigious Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA), achieved by fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide. In 2018, it launched Austria's first public English-taught bachelor's program in Business and Economics (BBE), alongside top-ranked English master's degrees in Supply Chain Management, Marketing, Quantitative Finance, and International Management. Its modern, climate-neutral campus features the iconic Library & Learning Center designed by Zaha Hadid.
Taking admission into the top universities in Austria for international students follows an individual university application model, as there is no single centralised portal for all Austrian universities. Here are the steps to apply:
Choose a Course and Shortlist Universities: Research the top universities in Austria through the QS rankings and official programme directories. Focus on the curriculum and structure. Our team can guide you through this.
Check Admission Requirements and Fees: Review the specific admission requirements, ECTS prerequisites, and tuition fee structure of your chosen university to ensure you fit the eligibility criteria.
Verify the Language of Instruction: Check whether the course is taught in English or German, and see which language proficiency certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, ÖSD, Goethe, or TestDaF) is required.
Collect Necessary Documents: Gather your passport, high school certificates, bachelor's degree and transcripts (for master's), CV, Letters of Recommendation, and Statement of Purpose (SOP). Ensure academic documents are properly legalised/apostilled.
Submit Your Online Application: Apply to the university through its official online admission portal. Create an account, fill in the application form, and upload your documents before the deadline.
Pay Application Processing Fee (if applicable): While many public universities do not charge an application fee, some programmes or universities charge a processing/entrance fee (usually between €50 and €200). Keep the payment receipt safe.
Wait for Evaluation & Entrance Exam (if applicable): Evaluation takes 4 to 12 weeks. For selective courses (such as Business & Economics at WU, Computer Science, or Medicine), you will be invited to register for an online or on-site entrance exam.
Receive Your Admission Letter: Once your documents are verified (and entrance exam cleared, if applicable), the university issues your official Admission Letter (Zulassungsbescheid).
Apply for the Student Residence Permit & Visa: Use your admission letter to apply for your Austrian Student Residence Permit and Visa D well in advance.
If you want to know the detailed process of the Austrian student visa, you can check our dedicated visa guide.
Which public university in Austria is the most affordable?
All public universities in Austria are subsidised by the federal government and follow the exact same statutory tuition fee standard (€726.72 per semester for non-EU/EEA students), making all public universities equally affordable in tuition.
Which is the most prestigious university in Austria?
Across all major global rankings, the University of Vienna is widely considered the most prestigious and highest-ranking comprehensive university in Austria (#140 globally in QS 2027), alongside TU Wien (#191) for technology and WU Wien for business.
Which university type in Austria is the cheapest?
Public universities are the most affordable because they charge a fixed statutory fee (€726.72/semester for non-EU students, and €0 tuition for EU/EEA students during standard study duration).
Are Austrian universities a good choice for Indian students?
Yes, they are an excellent choice for Indian students who want globally recognised European degrees at a low cost. Moreover, Austria is one of the safest and most livable countries in the world.
Is a degree from an Austrian university globally recognised?
Yes, degrees from Austrian public and accredited private/applied universities follow the European Bologna Process (ECTS system) and are recognised globally.
What are the chances of getting admission to an Austrian university?
Chances of admission are strong if you meet the exact academic credit prerequisites, grade requirements, language proficiency, and document legalisation rules before the deadline.
Do Austrian universities offer scholarships?
Yes, the Austrian government (via OeAD and grants.at), the European Union (Erasmus Mundus), and individual universities offer merit waivers, stipends, and research grants, while many PhD programmes offer paid research employment.
While the University of Vienna is the highest-ranked comprehensive university in Austria, every Austrian university is specialised in its own way—whether TU Wien and TU Graz for engineering, WU Wien for business, JKU Linz for AI and mechatronics, or Montanuniversität Leoben for mining and materials. Explore all the options and choose the university that best suits your course and career goals.
If you want to know more about any specific university, contact us today. Our team of education consultants for Austria will guide you throughout this journey.
