Cost of Studying in Austria in 2026/27: Tuition, the Preparation Year and Living Costs

At an Austrian public university, a non-EU citizen pays $826 (€726.72) per semester plus the compulsory students' union fee (ÖH) of $30 (€26.20) — $1,712 (€1,505.84) per academic year. Universities of applied sciences and private universities set their own prices: FH Technikum Wien charges third-country students $3,410 (€3,000) per semester, and a bachelor's at the private Modul University Vienna costs $10,230 (€9,000) per semester. Living costs are the bigger item: OeAD estimates about $1,478 (€1,300) per month. For the student residence permit you must show $9,856 (€8,670.96) per year if under 24 or $17,847 (€15,700.68) from age 24. A realistic first year in Vienna that includes a preparation programme comes to roughly $21,000–24,000.

Summary of costs for 2026/27

Figures apply to 2026/27 and are converted at the ECB rate of 24 September 2026. Apostilles, translations, travel and housing deposits are extra.

Public universities

Public universities charge the same amount for every subject. EU citizens pay only the ÖH fee within the standard duration plus two tolerance semesters. Non-EU citizens pay from the first semester regardless of study duration. Fees must be paid within each semester's admission period; the Medical University of Vienna states that non-payment means no admission or de-registration.

Full exemption applies to citizens of a short list of least-developed countries. Equal status with EU citizens is available to people covered by the Personengruppenverordnung and to holders of an Austrian residence permit other than "Student" — a separate, deadline-bound application. While you attend the Vienna preparation programme, the University of Vienna charges only the ÖH fee.

Universities of applied sciences and private universities

Universities of applied sciences set their own fees. FH Technikum Wien charges a base fee of $413 (€363.36) per semester, but $3,410 (€3,000) per semester for third-country students on a student residence permit, plus a $284 (€250) deposit due within five working days of a conditional offer. Private universities are a separate market: Modul University Vienna charges $10,230 (€9,000) per semester for bachelor's programmes, $7,957–9,094 (€7,000–8,000) for most master's programmes and $12,504 (€11,000) for the MBA, tuition only.

The preparation year

Each course runs one semester (320–350 teaching units), for up to four semesters. Two semesters of German at a partner plus the German and maths exams total about $4,506 (€3,964) including ÖH fees. See our guide to the Vorstudienlehrgang.

Living costs

The breakdown does not list health insurance separately, so our scenarios add ÖGK student self-insurance at $90 (€78.84) per month. Vienna is more expensive than smaller towns. A single public transport ticket costs about $3.64 (€3.20), with student discounts on passes and culture. Universities do not allocate housing automatically.

Residence-permit funds versus your real budget

These amounts cover rent only up to $439 (€386.43) per month; higher rent must be covered additionally. An under-24 student paying $682 (€600) rent must show $12,769 (€11,233.80) for the year. The under-24 minimum is below OeAD's average living cost, and funds are checked again at every renewal. See student visa and residence permit in Austria.

One-off costs in the first year

• Residence permit: $248 (€218) per application, not refunded if refused.
• Visa D: $222 (€195) per the Moscow embassy table, plus the visa centre's service fee.
• Documents: apostilles and sworn translations of your school certificate, police clearance and birth certificate.
• Admission procedures: MedAT $125 (€110), WU's English bachelor's registration $57 (€50); neither is refunded.
• Housing: a deposit and the first month's rent are usually due before you move in.

First-year scenarios

Assumptions for 12 months: living $17,733 (€15,600), ÖGK insurance $1,075 (€946.08), permit and visa D $469 (€413); travel and documents excluded.

With fees like FH Technikum Wien's, a university of applied sciences comes to about $26,200 (€23,000). Graz, Linz or Innsbruck may be cheaper for housing, but the residence-permit minimum is the same nationwide.

Work, scholarships and payments

Student permit holders may work up to 20 hours per week once the employer obtains a permit from the AMS, typically in 4–6 weeks; renewals require 16 ECTS per year, so do not build year one on earnings (working while studying in Austria). OeAD states that it funds no full degree programmes and that full-degree scholarships in Austria are rare; search grants.at by country and level. Tuition is paid by bank transfer using the payment details in your university account. If you pay from Russia, check in advance which bank can make the transfer and whether the Austrian recipient accepts it, and leave time before the deadline; for the permit, funds must sit in an account in your name that is accessible from Austria, and the authority may ask for six months of statements.

Common mistakes

• Assuming tuition is free for non-EU citizens.
• Budgeting at the residence-permit minimum.
• Renting above $439 (€386.43) without showing the extra funds.
• Forgetting the preparation year.
• Missing the fee payment deadline.
• Counting on a full scholarship.

FAQ

Sources

• University of Vienna: fees; Medical University of Vienna: fees — checked 24 Sep 2026
• FH Technikum Wien: fees; Modul University Vienna: fees — checked 24 Sep 2026
• VWU: fees by group, exams, courses — checked 24 Sep 2026
• Study in Austria: living costs, accommodation, scholarships — checked 24 Sep 2026
• OeAD: Residence Permit – Student — checked 24 Sep 2026
• Austrian Embassy Moscow: visa fees, residence permit fee — checked 24 Sep 2026
• MedAT fee; WU BBE registration — checked 24 Sep 2026
• Conversion: ECB rate of 24 Sep 2026, €1 = $1.1367

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