Studying in Vienna: universities, costs, housing and student life

Why study in Vienna

Vienna runs as one of Europe's largest and most international university cities, anchored by the University of Vienna, the country's oldest and biggest university. The city pairs a large public transport network, a deep cultural scene, and tuition-free access for many EU students, which makes it one of the more practical capitals to study in on a student budget.

Universities in Vienna

The University of Vienna enrolled 85,243 students in the 2024/25 academic year, making it one of the largest universities in Europe. Programs span nearly every field, from law and medicine to the humanities and natural sciences, with a growing number of English-taught master's programs aimed at international students.

TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) runs alongside as the city's main technical university, covering engineering, computer science, and architecture. Between the two, plus smaller specialized universities across the city, Vienna gives international students one of the widest program choices of any European capital.

Tuition and funding

EU and EEA students pay only the small mandatory ÖH membership fee at Austrian public universities, as long as they complete their degree within the standard study period plus a short tolerance window. Non-EU students, and EU students who exceed the standard study period, pay a per-semester tuition fee set by the university, so check the current rate directly before you apply.

Vienna's universities also run scholarship programs, including some tied to Austria's OeAD agency, that can offset tuition and living costs for strong non-EU applicants.

Cost of living in Vienna

Source: Numbeo cost of living data for Vienna . Full apartments run expensive for a single student, so most rent a room in a shared flat (Wohngemeinschaft, or WG) or take a place in a dorm instead.

Housing: dorms and shared flats

OeAD, the Austrian agency for international mobility, runs a network of student dorms across Vienna aimed partly at international and exchange students, alongside private dorm operators that manage similar buildings across the city. Shared flats, known locally as WGs, are the other common option and often work out cheaper than a dorm room once utilities are split.

• Apply to OeAD or a private dorm operator as early as possible if you want housing arranged before arrival.

• Search WG rooms through Austrian flat-share sites once you have a confirmed study place, and expect competition for rooms close to the University of Vienna's main campus.

• Budget for a deposit equal to two or three months rent, standard practice for both dorms and private flats in Vienna.

Getting around: transport

Wiener Linien runs Vienna's subway, tram, and bus network, one of the densest systems in Europe. A standard monthly pass costs around 51 EUR at the regular rate, according to Numbeo , though degree students get access to a discounted long-term ticket through ÖH, the Austrian Students' Union. Check current student ticket pricing directly with ÖH or Wiener Linien before you commit to a pass, since student rates and eligibility rules change between academic years.

Student union and support

ÖH represents students across all Austrian public universities, including the University of Vienna and TU Wien, and runs counseling services, faculty representation, and guidance for international students on enrollment and residence requirements. Most degree programs require ÖH membership as part of enrollment, which comes with a small mandatory fee set each semester.

Academic calendar

Austrian universities run two semesters each year. The winter semester starts in October and runs through January, and the summer semester starts in March and runs through June, with most exchange placements built around a single semester. Confirm your program's exact dates with the university before booking travel.

Applying as an international student

EU and EEA students can study in Vienna without a visa, though registering your address with local authorities (Meldezettel) is required soon after arrival, a standard step for anyone living in Austria. Non-EU students need a student residence permit, applied for through an Austrian embassy or consulate before travel, based on an admission letter from the university. Start this process early, since Austrian permit processing often takes longer than the university's own enrollment deadlines.

Practical steps before you arrive

Register your address with local authorities (Meldezettel) within days of moving into permanent accommodation, a legal requirement for anyone living in Austria. You need this registration to open a bank account, get a phone contract, or apply for a residence permit extension.

Open an Austrian bank account once your Meldezettel is issued, since rent payments and many everyday services run through domestic transfers rather than international cards.

Health insurance

EU and EEA students can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access Austria's public healthcare system during their studies. Non-EU students generally need private health insurance until they qualify for Austria's public system through registration and residence, and should confirm exact requirements with the Austrian embassy or consulate handling their visa application.

Where students live

Josefstadt and Alsergrund sit closest to the University of Vienna's main campus and hold a dense concentration of shared flats and dorms. Students who want lower rent often look toward Favoriten or Ottakring, both connected to the center by a short subway ride.

Student life in Vienna

Vienna's museums, several of them free or discounted for students, sit within walking distance of the university's main campus, and the city runs a full calendar of classical concerts at student-friendly prices through standing-room tickets at the opera and major concert halls. Parks, the Danube canal, and a dense cafe culture give students plenty of low-cost ways to spend time outside class.

The city's size means neighborhoods each keep their own character, from the student-heavy areas near the university to quieter residential districts further out. A well-run public transport network means students can live outside the city center without losing easy access to campus.