Vienna has nine public universities, five universities of applied sciences in OeAD's catalogue and several private universities. The most sought-after by international applicants are the University of Vienna (comprehensive, 85,000+ students), TU Wien (engineering and computing), WU (business and economics) and the Medical University. For non-EU citizens every public university charges $826 (€726.72) per semester plus a $30 (€26.20) union fee, but deadlines, application formats and entrance tests differ. Six of the city's universities share one preparation programme, the VWU, so applicants with A2 German can start there. Vienna ranked ninth in the QS Best Student Cities 2026.
Public universities in Vienna
| University | Strengths | Founded / students | English options | StudyU profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Vienna | Widest choice: humanities, social and natural sciences, law, psychology, computing; 20 faculties and centres | 1365 / 85,000+ | Two bachelor's and several master's | Profile |
| TU Wien | Architecture, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering, informatics, maths, physics, chemistry | 1815 / about 26,000 | Bachelor's generally in German; 19 of 32 master's in English | Profile |
| WU | Business, economics, finance, business law; AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA | 1898 / about 22,000 | BBE bachelor's (240 places) and master's | Profile |
| Medical University of Vienna | Medicine, dentistry, medical informatics | Faculty since 1365 / about 8,000 | No: MedAT and teaching in German | — |
| BOKU | Agriculture, forestry, biotechnology, food, environment; 7 bachelor's, 35 master's | 1872 / about 10,500 | By programme | — |
| University of Veterinary Medicine | Veterinary medicine, biomedicine | 1765 / about 2,500 | Several master's | — |
| University of Applied Arts (Angewandte) | Architecture, design, fine arts, media | — | By programme | — |
| mdw – Music and Performing Arts | Music, theatre, film | 1817 (as a conservatory) | By programme | — |
| Academy of Fine Arts | Fine arts, architecture, conservation | 17th century / 1,500+ | By programme | — |
Figures come from OeAD's Study in Austria institution profiles. Arts universities run their own artistic entrance procedures.
How applications differ
| University of Vienna | TU Wien | WU | Medical University | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Online | Paper file by post only | Online | Online MedAT registration |
| Non-EU window 2026/27 | 22 Jun – 3 Aug 2026 (winter); 16 Nov 2026 – 7 Jan 2027 (summer) | Recommended 16 Jan – 15 Jul (winter); 16 Jul – 15 Jan (summer) | By programme; BBE registration 2 Mar – 19 May 2026 | Registration 2–31 Mar 2026 |
| Tests | Many programmes: July test, registration 2 Mar – 4 May | Selection in computer science and architecture | BBE and German-taught programme selection | MedAT on 3 Jul 2026 |
| Notes | Apply with A2; C1 to enrol | 10–12-week review; national exam results for some countries | BBE starts in winter only | Non-EU applicants: max 5% of medicine places |
| Winter 2026/27 admission period opened (VWU data) | 13 Jul 2026 | 7 Jul 2026 | 9 Jul 2026 | 6 Jul 2026 |
BOKU and the Veterinary University also use the VWU; their winter 2026/27 admission periods opened on 16 June and 1 August. All dates in the table refer to 2026/27. Dates for 2027/28 come later — WU in mid-November 2026, the MedAT organisers around the turn of the year — so check your university's page before applying. Full procedure: applying to universities in Austria.
One preparation programme for six universities
The VWU prepares students of the University of Vienna, TU Wien, WU, the Medical University, BOKU and the Veterinary University for supplementary exams. For winter 2026/27, online pre-registration ran 31 July – 13 August, the German placement test was held in person 6–17 August and courses started on 25 September. A semester costs $696 (€612) at the VWU or $2,103 (€1,850) plus $45 (€40) at partner providers. See Vorstudienlehrgang.
Universities of applied sciences in Vienna
FH Technikum Wien (technology), Hochschule Campus Wien (Austria's largest university of applied sciences, about 70 programmes in engineering, health and social sciences), FHWien der WKW (management and communication), FH BFI Wien (business programmes) and Lauder Business School. Each selects applicants per programme and deadlines are early — FH Technikum Wien takes non-EU applications for 2027/28 until 31 March 2027 and charges third-country students $3,410 (€3,000) per semester plus a $284 (€250) deposit. Hochschule Campus Wien requires at least B2 German for German-taught programmes, B2 or C1 English for English-taught ones, and allows up to three applications per semester.
Private universities
- Webster Vienna Private University — American and Austrian degrees in international relations, management, communication and psychology.
- Modul University Vienna — business, tourism, data; bachelor's $10,230 (€9,000) per semester.
- Sigmund Freud University — psychotherapy, psychology, medicine, law.
- MUK and JAM Music Lab — music and performing arts.
- Central European University (CEU) — English-taught social sciences and humanities; designated an "undesirable organisation" in Russia, which Russian citizens should take into account.
Which Vienna university fits your plan
| Plan | Consider | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| School leaver, A2 German, humanities/social sciences | University of Vienna via VWU | Non-EU window closes before 5 September |
| School leaver, engineering/computing | TU Wien via VWU | Postal application, national exam results, likely maths/physics exams |
| Business in English straight from school | WU's BBE; Webster, Modul | 240 places with spring selection; private fees in the thousands per semester |
| Engineering graduate, English master's | TU Wien, BOKU, WU | Degree-profile and English requirements in each curriculum |
| Practice-oriented study | Vienna's universities of applied sciences | Selection, spring deadlines, higher non-EU fees |
| Medicine | Medical University of Vienna | German-language MedAT and quota — see studying medicine in Austria |
Living in Vienna
OeAD estimates average student costs in Austria at about $1,478 (€1,300) per month and notes Vienna is more expensive; tuition and the permit minimum are the same nationwide (cost of studying in Austria). Universities do not allocate housing, so search early, including OeAD Student Housing. Register your address within three working days; you need the registration (Meldezettel) to collect your permit card, and Vienna's MA 35 handles residence permits (student visa and residence permit). A single transport ticket costs about $3.64 (€3.20), with student discounts.
When Vienna is a strong choice — and when it is not
Vienna suits you if you want the widest programme choice, a single preparation programme for six universities and an international capital (ninth in QS Best Student Cities 2026, largely for quality of life). Consider other cities if your budget is close to the permit minimum (housing is pricier), if a regional strength fits you better (Graz's joint science programmes, Leoben's mining and metallurgy), or if you want a single campus like JKU Linz's. Campuses in Vienna differ too: WU has used its new campus by the Prater since 2013, while the University of Vienna's buildings are spread across the city.
Beyond Vienna
For lower housing costs or a specific profile, compare the University of Graz, TU Graz, the highly international University of Innsbruck and JKU Linz. Overview: universities in Austria.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all Vienna universities share deadlines.
- Applying to TU Wien online instead of by post.
- Missing WU's spring registration for the English bachelor's.
- Leaving housing until arrival.
- Comparing private and public universities on price alone.
FAQ
Nine public universities (six academic and three arts universities), five universities of applied sciences in OeAD's catalogue and several private universities.
By field: University of Vienna for breadth, TU Wien for engineering and computing, WU for business, the Medical University for medicine, BOKU for life and environmental sciences.
At bachelor's level in a limited number of programmes; at master's level much more widely, including 19 English-taught master's at TU Wien.
$826 (€726.72) per semester plus $30 (€26.20) at public universities for non-EU citizens; living costs are above OeAD's national average of about $1,478 (€1,300) per month.
If your German is below C1 or subject exams are prescribed — yes, the shared VWU.
Under a service agreement we choose the university and programme, prepare documents for its requirements, track deadlines and support the residence permit. Universities decide on admission.
Sources
- Study in Austria (OeAD) profiles: University of Vienna, TU Wien, WU, Medical University, BOKU, Veterinary University, mdw, Academy of Fine Arts, universities of applied sciences, private universities — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Study in Austria: QS Best Student Cities 2026, living costs — checked 24 Sep 2026
- University of Vienna: application periods; TU Wien: admission, bachelor's, master's; WU: BBE — checked 24 Sep 2026
- VWU: registration and admission periods; MedAT places — checked 24 Sep 2026
- FH Technikum Wien: deadlines, fees; Hochschule Campus Wien; Modul University: fees — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Conversion: ECB rate of 24 Sep 2026, €1 = $1.1367
Next steps
- Studying Medicine in Austria as an International Student: MedAT, the 5% Quota, German C1 and the Preparation Year
- Applying to Universities in Austria: Deadlines, Documents, Supplementary Exams and the Residence Permit
- Cost of Studying in Austria in 2026/27: Tuition, the Preparation Year and Living Costs
- Universities in Austria for International Students: Public, Applied and Private — How to Choose
- TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology)
- University of Vienna (Universität Wien)
