Scholarships in Austria

Studying in Austria with a scholarship

Austria has a strong public higher education system with universities, universities of applied sciences, private universities and specialist institutions.

International students can find opportunities at bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and research levels. However, Austria does not operate one universal scholarship that funds every international student.

The OeAD, Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation, manages many of the country’s international scholarship programmes and directs students to grants.at, Austria’s largest database for scholarships and research funding. Some programmes are open worldwide, while others are restricted by nationality, academic field or study level.

Students should therefore search according to their actual profile rather than simply looking for “Austria fully funded scholarship.”

OeAD scholarships

OeAD programmes cover several different types of academic mobility.

Current programmes for international applicants include opportunities such as:

• Ernst Mach Grant worldwide
• Ernst Mach Grant for Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences
• Ernst Mach ASEA-UNINET programmes
• Franz Werfel Fellowship
• specialised bilateral programmes
• research and postgraduate funding

Some Austrian universities also operate their own institutional scholarships independently of OeAD.

This means students should search both the national scholarship database and the university they want to attend.

Do not confuse a research grant with a full-degree scholarship

This distinction is particularly important in Austria.

Several well-known OeAD programmes fund temporary research or exchange stays, not complete degrees.

For example, the Ernst Mach Grant worldwide is intended for young researchers and academics from outside Austria who want to carry out a research project in Austria.

It supports stays of approximately one to nine months and is not designed to fund an entire master’s or doctoral degree.

Applicants should read the programme type carefully before publishing or applying to an opportunity.

Ernst Mach Grant worldwide

The Ernst Mach Grant worldwide is open to applicants from countries outside Austria and focuses on research mobility.

For the 2026/27 academic year, eligible groups included:

• doctoral or PhD students enrolled outside Austria
• recent postgraduates
• postdoctoral researchers pursuing an academic career

The 2026/27 call closed on 1 February 2026.

OeAD’s current programme overview lists 1 December as the regular closing date for the worldwide programme, while the live site should always be checked for the active call.

Applicants planning a future stay should therefore use the newly published annual call rather than copying the previous 2026 deadline.

Ernst Mach for Universities of Applied Sciences

Austria also has an Ernst Mach programme for students studying at universities outside Europe who want to complete a temporary study stay at an Austrian University of Applied Sciences, known in German as a Fachhochschule.

For the 2026/27 call:

• bachelor’s and master’s students could apply
• bachelor’s students needed at least four completed semesters
• applicants had to be no older than 35
• the Austrian host had to accept them as an exchange student or free mover
• stays could last approximately four to ten months

The deadline was 1 February 2026.

Importantly, this grant cannot be used to finance an entire bachelor’s or master’s degree in Austria.

Southeast Asian applicants have additional routes

Students from parts of Southeast Asia should also investigate ASEA-UNINET opportunities.

The Ernst Mach Grant ASEA-UNINET includes applicants from:

• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Thailand
• Vietnam

Depending on the category, funding can support postgraduate research, postdoctoral activity, music studies or even full doctoral study.

There is also a short-term research programme that includes applicants from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Applicants should check whether their university participates in the relevant network.

A warning about the Erhard Busek Grant

Older scholarship articles may still promote the Erhard Busek Grant as a major Austrian master’s scholarship for students from developing countries.

Students need to be careful with this information.

The OeAD currently states that its information relates to the 2025/26 application round and that no further call for applications is presently planned.

The earlier programme had included applicants from countries such as:

• The Gambia
• Ghana
• Indonesia
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• Rwanda
• Senegal
• Uganda
• Vietnam

and other eligible developing countries.

However, it should not currently be advertised as an open 2026 or 2027 scholarship unless OeAD announces a new call.

This is exactly why applicants should verify scholarships at the official source rather than relying on old social-media posts.

University scholarships

Individual Austrian institutions may offer their own funding.

Possible support can include:

• merit scholarships
• tuition reductions
• research grants
• doctoral funding
• mobility grants
• departmental scholarships

OeAD specifically advises international students to contact the international office of their intended university regarding institutional scholarships.

A university scholarship may have completely different eligibility requirements from an OeAD programme.

Public university tuition can be relatively affordable

One major attraction of Austria is the tuition structure at public universities.

For students from EU and EEA countries who remain within the standard programme duration plus the permitted tolerance period, public university tuition is generally not charged.

For most students from third countries holding a Residence Permit Student, the general tuition fee is currently:

€751.92 per semester

Students must also pay the compulsory Austrian Students’ Union and accident insurance contribution, currently €25.20 per semester.

Some students may qualify for exemptions or refunds depending on scholarship status, exchange arrangements or other circumstances.

Do not assume every Austrian institution charges €751.92

The €751.92 figure applies generally to public universities under the relevant rules.

Universities of applied sciences and private universities can operate different tuition structures.

Therefore, applicants should check:

• institution type
• programme tuition
• international student rate
• compulsory fees
• whether the scholarship covers tuition

A private university in Vienna may cost considerably more than a public university even though both are located in Austria.

Living costs are much higher than tuition

Austria illustrates why low tuition does not necessarily mean low overall study costs.

The official Study in Austria guidance currently estimates average student living expenses at approximately:

€1,300 per month

Typical estimates include roughly:

• accommodation: €450 to €700
• food: around €300
• study, transport and personal expenses: around €500

Actual expenses vary by lifestyle and location.

Vienna can be more expensive than smaller Austrian university towns.

Budget by city

Popular study destinations include:

• Vienna
• Graz
• Innsbruck
• Salzburg
• Linz
• Klagenfurt

Accommodation can be one of the biggest differences.

A programme with low tuition in Vienna can still require a substantial annual budget once housing and daily expenses are included.

Before accepting an offer, calculate:

tuition + accommodation + food + insurance + transport + immigration costs - confirmed scholarship funding

That gives a more realistic picture than tuition alone.

Residence Permit Student

Non-EU and non-EEA students coming for longer-term study generally need the appropriate Austrian residence permission.

For many full-degree students, this is the Residence Permit Student.

Applicants normally need evidence including:

• valid passport
• admission from an Austrian institution
• adequate financial resources
• accommodation
• health insurance
• passport photograph
• additional documents required for a first application

For first-time applications, a police clearance certificate may also be required.

Foreign documents may need legalisation and translation depending on the circumstances.

Austria has specific 2026 proof-of-funds amounts

Austria’s financial requirements depend on the student’s age.

As of 2026, students generally need to demonstrate:

• under age 24: €722.58 per month
• age 24 or older: €1,308.39 per month

These funds normally have to be demonstrated for 12 months in advance.

For couples, the current amount is €2,064.12 per month, with an additional amount for each child.

These figures can change annually.

Students applying in 2027 should check the new amounts.

Accommodation can increase the financial requirement

The basic proof-of-funds amount is not always the final amount.

For 2026, if accommodation costs more than €386.43 per month, the student may need to demonstrate additional financial resources.

Students also need enough funds for required health insurance.

This is why someone aged 24 or older should not simply calculate:

€1,308.39 × 12

and assume that figure will always satisfy the residence authority.

Your actual accommodation and insurance expenses matter.

Scholarships can count toward financial evidence

Austria allows scholarship documentation to be used as part of the evidence of sufficient financial resources.

Other possible sources can include:

• personal savings
• parental support
• sponsor funds
• qualifying guarantees
• other documented financial sources

The residence authority can request evidence explaining where the money came from, including bank statements and sponsor documentation.

Students should use genuine, traceable financial records.

A temporary unexplained deposit can create questions about the source of funds.

Health insurance

Students also need insurance covering the required risks in Austria.

After enrolling, eligible students can use the Austrian student self-insurance system through Österreichische Gesundheitskasse.

For 2026, the student insurance premium is approximately:

€78.84 per month.

Students should check whether their existing insurance is acceptable or whether they need Austrian coverage.

Scholarship recipients should also confirm whether their scholarship provides insurance.

Accommodation evidence

Residence applications can require proof of accommodation.

Current OeAD guidance refers to accommodation evidence covering at least the required initial period, which could include:

• rental agreement
• student residence contract
• legally recognised accommodation agreement

Students should be careful about paying large deposits to unverified private landlords.

Use recognised student residences, university resources or properly documented rental arrangements where possible.

Working while studying

Third-country students can work in Austria, but employment is regulated.

A student may generally receive an employment permit for work of up to:

20 hours per week

without a labour-market test.

However, the prospective employer must apply for the employment permit through the Austrian Public Employment Service, AMS.

This means having a student residence permit does not simply create unrestricted employment rights.

Do not depend entirely on part-time work

Even though employment can be possible, students should not build their financial plan around finding a job immediately after arrival.

Reasons include:

• employment permit procedures
• German-language requirements
• competition for jobs
• university workload
• uncertainty about working hours

Your financial plan should be realistic before you travel.

Part-time income can be useful, but it should not be the only way you can afford rent and food.

Staying after graduation

Austria provides a useful post-study option for eligible third-country graduates.

Students who successfully complete a qualifying bachelor’s, master’s, diploma or doctoral programme at an Austrian institution may be able to renew their student residence permission for 12 months to search for employment or start a business.

This should not be confused with automatic permanent residence.

Graduates still need to meet the relevant immigration requirements if they want to transition to a longer-term work or residence status.

Language of instruction

Austria has a growing number of English-taught programmes, especially at postgraduate level.

However, German remains very important across the higher education system.

Some programmes require:

• B2 German
• C1 German
• English proficiency
• both languages in certain situations

A university may also issue conditional admission requiring the student to improve their German before beginning the full degree.

Do not assume an Austrian programme is taught in English because the university has an English website.

Check the programme itself.

University Preparation Programmes

Some international applicants receive admission that requires supplementary examinations or additional German preparation.

Austria has University Preparation Programmes that can help students prepare for these requirements before beginning regular degree study.

Students using this route should understand that:

• preparatory study is not the same as full degree enrolment
• additional exams may be required
• residence documentation can work differently during preparation
• successful completion is necessary before entering the intended degree

The conditions stated in your individual admission letter are particularly important.

Admission requirements vary by institution

Applicants may need:

• secondary-school certificate
• bachelor’s degree
• master’s degree
• academic transcripts
• proof of programme eligibility
• German or English language certificate
• CV
• motivation letter
• recommendation letters
• research proposal
• entrance examination
• portfolio

Different academic fields can have very different procedures.

Medicine, arts and other competitive programmes may involve additional entrance examinations or selection processes.

Bachelor’s applicants should look beyond scholarships

Because public university tuition can be relatively modest, some international bachelor’s students may find Austria financially possible without winning a full scholarship.

However, living costs remain substantial.

Students should compare:

annual tuition

with:

approximately 12 months of living expenses

A scholarship that pays €1,500 toward tuition is useful, but it will not solve a €15,000 annual living-cost problem.

Master’s applicants

Master’s students can find opportunities through:

• university scholarships
• OeAD databases
• Erasmus+
• specialised programmes
• bilateral scholarship agreements

Students should verify whether an award finances:

• an entire master’s degree
• one academic year
• a semester abroad
• a temporary research stay

This distinction is especially important in Austria because many OeAD grants are mobility programmes.

PhD and research applicants

Austria can be particularly attractive for research students.

Funding may appear as:

• doctoral scholarships
• university research positions
• project-funded PhDs
• research grants
• visiting researcher grants
• employment contracts

PhD applicants should therefore search university vacancy pages and EURAXESS in addition to ordinary scholarship databases.

Do not search only for “fully funded Austria scholarship.”

You may miss positions advertised as employment.

Research applicants should understand the Ernst Mach rules

The Ernst Mach worldwide programme is intended for temporary research in Austria.

For the 2026/27 call, applicants included doctoral students studying outside Austria as well as recent postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers.

OeAD explicitly states that the programme cannot be used to enrol in a complete Austrian master’s or PhD degree.

This should be made clear whenever The Scholarship Circle publishes the opportunity.

Allow time for immigration processing

International scholarship recipients sometimes make the mistake of assuming they can travel immediately after winning an award.

OeAD warns that residence processing for non-EU nationals planning stays longer than six months can take several months.

Research students and scholarship recipients should begin immigration procedures as soon as they receive the necessary documentation.

A scholarship starting in September is not useful if you begin the residence process too late to arrive on time.

Scholarship funding may not cover every expense

OeAD specifically warns Ernst Mach applicants that the scholarship itself may not cover the full cost of living in Austria.

Students can still face expenses including:

• insurance
• rent
• housing deposits
• additional proof of funds
• travel to the Austrian diplomatic mission
• travel to Austria

The term “scholarship” should therefore never be interpreted automatically as “I need no personal money.”

What applicants should check before applying

Before applying for a scholarship in Austria, confirm:

• eligible nationality
• study level
• whether it is full-degree or short-term funding
• eligible universities
• tuition coverage
• scholarship duration
• monthly allowance
• accommodation
• health insurance
• travel support
• language requirements
• university admission requirements
• residence permit requirements
• proof-of-funds requirement
• application deadline

For OeAD programmes, always use the current official call.

Use grants.at for deeper scholarship research

Students should not depend on one list of “Top 10 Austria Scholarships.”

OeAD recommends grants.at, Austria’s main scholarship and research-funding database.

Funding can be filtered according to factors such as:

• country of origin
• academic level
• field of study
• target group
• type of stay

This is particularly useful because many Austrian opportunities are highly specialised.

Avoid outdated scholarship information

Austria is a good example of why scholarship websites need regular review.

The Erhard Busek Grant, for example, was an attractive full master’s opportunity for students from several developing countries, but OeAD currently states that no further call is planned.

A website continuing to advertise it as an active “Austria Scholarship 2027” would mislead applicants.

Always distinguish between:

currently open

expected

previously offered

discontinued or no new call planned

Avoid scholarship scams

Be cautious if someone promises:

• guaranteed OeAD selection
• guaranteed Austrian university admission
• guaranteed residence permit
• a scholarship in exchange for unofficial payment

OeAD programmes use formal application and assessment procedures.

The OeAD states that formally valid applications are assessed by experts before scholarship selection.

Use scholarship websites for discovery, but submit applications through the official OeAD, university or funding organisation.

Final advice

Austria can be a very attractive destination for international students because public university tuition is relatively modest compared with many other European destinations.

For many third-country students at public universities, the standard tuition is currently €751.92 per semester, but average living costs are around €1,300 per month.

That difference is important.

Applicants should not focus only on tuition.

For scholarships, search the OeAD and grants.at databases carefully and determine whether each opportunity funds a complete degree or only a temporary research or exchange stay.

Researchers should pay particular attention to the Ernst Mach programmes. Students from Southeast Asia may also have additional ASEA-UNINET routes.

For anyone planning long-term study, calculate immigration proof of funds, housing and insurance early because these requirements can be more financially important than the university tuition itself.

The opportunities listed below can help students discover Austrian scholarships, but all deadlines, funding amounts and eligibility conditions should be verified with OeAD or the relevant university before applying.

Last reviewed: September 10, 2026