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Meta title: Cost of Studying in Austria 2026/27: Fees, Living | StudyU
Meta description: Cost of studying in Austria for non-EU students, 2026/27: $826 (€726.72) tuition, ÖH fee, VWU, FH and private fees, living costs, permit funds, budgets.
Last modified: 2026-09-24

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

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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.

A stall with mushrooms and fruit at the Naschmarkt, Vienna's largest food market, Austria. Photo: Dietmar Rabich / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wien,_Naschmarkt_--_2018_--_3109.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

## Summary of costs for 2026/27 {#section-1}

| Item | Amount | Frequency |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Public university tuition, non-EU citizens | $826 (€726.72) | Per semester |
| ÖH students' union fee (includes accident and liability cover, not health insurance) | $30 (€26.20) | Per semester |
| Vienna preparation programme (VWU) | $696 (€612) at the VWU itself, or $2,103 (€1,850) + $45 (€40) materials at partner providers | Per semester |
| Supplementary exams at the VWU | $75 (€66) for German, English, maths; $52 (€46) for other subjects | Per exam |
| ÖGK student health insurance | $90 (€78.84) | Per month |
| Living costs (OeAD estimate) | about $1,478 (€1,300) | Per month |
| Residence permit fee | $248 (€218) | Each application and renewal |
| Visa D to collect the permit | $222 (€195) per the Moscow embassy fee table | Once |
| MedAT (medicine) | $125 (€110) | Per attempt |

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 {#section-2}

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 {#section-3}

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 {#section-4}

| Group (simplified) | Where you study | Fee per semester 2026/27 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Subject exams only, no German exam | At the VWU | $696 (€612) |
| German plus subjects | At the VWU if your placement score is high enough; otherwise at a partner | $696 (€612) or $2,103 (€1,850) + $45 (€40) |
| German only | Partner providers (die Berater, University of Vienna Language Centre, ZIB Training) | $2,103 (€1,850) + $45 (€40) |

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](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-vorstudienlehrgang-preparatory-programme-austria).

## Living costs {#section-5}

| Item | Per month (OeAD) |
| --- | --- |
| Housing (student residence place) | $512–796 (€450–700) |
| Food | $341 (€300) |
| Study and personal (transport, culture, leisure) | $568 (€500) |
| Total | about $1,478 (€1,300) |

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 {#section-6}

| Age | Per month | Per year |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Under 24 | $821 (€722.58) | $9,856 (€8,670.96) |
| 24 and over | $1,487 (€1,308.39) | $17,847 (€15,700.68) |

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](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-and-residence-austria).

## One-off costs in the first year {#section-7}

- 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 {#section-8}

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.

| Scenario | Study and preparation | First-year total |
| --- | --- | --- |
| School leaver in Vienna: two semesters of German at a VWU partner, German and maths exams | $4,506 (€3,964) | about $23,800 (€20,900) |
| Applicant with German C1 enrolling directly at a public university | $1,712 (€1,506) | about $21,000 (€18,500) |
| Bachelor's at Modul University Vienna | $20,461 (€18,000) | about $39,700 (€35,000) |

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 {#section-9}

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](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-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 {#section-10}

- 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 {#faq}

### How much does a year at an Austrian public university cost?

For non-EU citizens, tuition is $826 (€726.72) per semester plus the compulsory ÖH students' union fee of $30 (€26.20), which totals $1,712 (€1,505.84) for the two semesters of an academic year. Fees are paid within each semester's admission period, and non-payment can mean no admission or de-registration. Living costs are the larger item: OeAD estimates about $1,478 (€1,300) a month.

### Is tuition free for international students?

Only for EU citizens and those with equal status, within the standard duration. Third-country nationals pay $826 (€726.72) per semester unless exempt.

### How much do I need per month in Vienna?

OeAD's national average is about $1,478 (€1,300) per month, and Vienna is more expensive. Add $90 (€78.84) for ÖGK insurance.

### How much must I show for the student residence permit?

$9,856 (€8,670.96) per year under 24, $17,847 (€15,700.68) from 24, plus any rent above $439 (€386.43) per month.

### How much does the preparation programme cost?

In Vienna, $696 (€612) per semester at the VWU or $2,103 (€1,850) plus $45 (€40) at partner providers; exams cost $75 or $52 each.

### Is Graz or Linz cheaper?

Public tuition is identical; housing is usually cheaper outside Vienna. See our profiles of the [University of Graz](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-graz), [TU Graz](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tu-graz), [University of Innsbruck](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-innsbruck) and [JKU Linz](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-jku-linz).

### What does StudyU do on budgeting?

Under a service agreement we build a budget for your programmes, city and preparation route and check your residence-permit financial documents. Universities and the residence authority make the decisions.

## Sources {#section-12}

- [University of Vienna: fees](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/tuition-fee/amount-tuition-fee/); [Medical University of Vienna: fees](https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/studium-weiterbildung/anmeldung-zulassung/studienbeitrag/) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [FH Technikum Wien: fees](https://www.technikum-wien.at/en/student-guide/tution/); [Modul University Vienna: fees](https://www.modul.ac.at/study-at-mu/tuition-fees) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [VWU: fees by group](https://vorstudienlehrgang.oead.at/de/wien/erstanmeldung), [exams](https://vorstudienlehrgang.oead.at/de/wien/ergaenzungspruefungen), [courses](https://vorstudienlehrgang.oead.at/de/wien/kurse) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [Study in Austria: living costs](https://studyinaustria.at/en/live-and-work/living-costs), [accommodation](https://studyinaustria.at/en/live-and-work/accomodation), [scholarships](https://studyinaustria.at/en/plan-your-studies/scholarships-funding) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [OeAD: Residence Permit – Student](https://oead.at/en/to-austria/entry-and-residence/residence-permit-student-no-mobility-programme) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [Austrian Embassy Moscow: visa fees](https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-moskau/reisen-nach-oesterreich/einreise-und-aufenthalt/visum), [residence permit fee](https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-moskau/reisen-nach-oesterreich/einreise-und-aufenthalt/aufenthalt) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [MedAT fee](https://www.medizinstudieren.at/allgemeine-informationen/information-in-english/); [WU BBE registration](https://www.wu.ac.at/en/programs/bachelors-programs/business-and-economics/overview/selection-procedure-bbe-1/) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Conversion: ECB rate of 24 Sep 2026, €1 = $1.1367

[During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [Working While Studying in Austria: the 20-Hour Rule, the AMS Permit and What Needs No Permit](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-in-austria)
- [Austrian Student Visa and Residence Permit: Where to Apply, Proof of Funds, Timing and Renewal](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-and-residence-austria)
- [Vorstudienlehrgang (VWU): Austria's University Preparation Programme — Who Needs It, How to Enrol, What It Costs](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-vorstudienlehrgang-preparatory-programme-austria)
- [University of Graz](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-graz)
- [University of Innsbruck](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-innsbruck)
- [Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-jku-linz)

Updated: September 2026