Graduate Studies in Austria

Austrian higher education comprises 22 state universities and 12 private universities as well as 21 Fachhochschulen (FH).

Access to universities, hitherto free of charge for Austrian and European students, is now payable (less than € 400 per semester). If the high school diploma is a minimum required (unless restricted), foreign students must demonstrate a good level of German language to integrate a training course. The academic year runs from October to June and consists of a winter semester (starting in October for 14 weeks) and a summer semester (beginning in March for 14 weeks). Note that the University of the Capital (Vienna, for dummies in geography) is renowned in all fields and is also the largest German-speaking university in the world!

At University

Prior to the introduction of the new curriculum planned for the European harmonization of diplomas, the university course was divided into two cycles (Diplomstudien). The basic university degree is the Magister or the Diplom-Ingenieur/in or doctor of medicine, and varies from 8 to 12 semesters. The basic diploma gives access to the doctorate, of 2 or 4 semesters (legal duration). The degree of doctor (Doktor) is obtained after approval of the thesis (Approval of Dissertation) and success of the Rigorosum, final examination.

Please note that several scholarships are available. You can consult the database at www.oead.ac.at. Since 2007, quotas have been introduced for a minimum of 5 years, following the massive enrollment of German students in Austrian universities. In some fields such as medicine, 75% of the places are now reserved for Austrian students, 20% for European students and 5% for others.

Opting for professional training

More technical, in FH, the grades obtained are those of Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing. FH) for technical courses and Magister (Mag.FH) for non-technical courses, according to the old organization. Since the LMD, the FH offers a six-semester scientific and professional course (1 to 2 practical training courses), which are awarded a FH-Bachelor's degree and a FH-Master (4 additional semesters). Doctoral studies are available after a FH, for an additional 4 to 6 semesters. There are also a myriad of complementary training courses, including the Kollegs, which offer vocational training in 2 years in various fields (construction, town planning, tourism and leisure...), or postgraduate paramedical training of social sector.