Category: Education in Austria

Austria is among the European countries with the highest standard of living and the same high prices. On average, student leaves € 400-700 a month.

Residence

Undoubtedly, the most economical students will stay in the school hostel (€ 200-350 per month). Attractive and rent a large apartment, if you shoot it with fellow students.

However, to obtain a dorm room may have some difficulty. Need to pre-book your place and start living in it can only be the beginning of the semester. Otherwise, it will have to seek refuge in another place. Another important fact – the security deposit (from € 180) for services rendered by the institution housing (furniture, dishes, etc.). But it is returned to you on departure from this room.

Food

Monthly on a food at students studying in Austria, takes about € 200. In order to somehow save, you can prepare your own self in the kitchen dormitory. Do not forget about the existence of a student cafe on campus.

Of course, you will have additional expenses: travel in transport – € 100 (in Austria has a system of discounts for the use of public transit for students under 26 years of age), health insurance, – € 60, plus money for learning materials, clothing and pocket money.

Part-time work while studying

If you’re having financial difficulties, you can earn while studying. For this you need to get official permission to work in the departments dealing with foreign nationals. Specifically, the work in Austria – seasonal. Summer bothering to fame in a cafe where your salary will be € 5-10 per hour, you can easy to learn and to live, not what does not refusing, the entire school year.

Culture

Austria – the birthplace of such famous composers as Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Schubert, Strauss (father and son), writer Zweig and others. And being here, you get a unique opportunity to enrich your inner world of the culture of this country. Austrian universities largely help you in this. They offer students numerous discounts on tickets to museums, theaters, exhibitions and many other cultural events

The higher education system in Austria is divided into three sectors: universities (Universitaeten) and the University of the Arts (Universitaeten der Kuenste); colleges (Akademien des nicht-universitaeren Bereich), which teaches social workers, high schools (Fachhochschule).

Universities

All universities in Austria are state. They are administered by the Federal Ministry of Science and Transport. University teachers and staff are civil servants. All major universities are funded from the federal budget (the exception is the University of Krems, only partially funded by the state). Accordingly, training for Austrian citizens is free.

According to a study of German magazine “Der Spiegel”, the Austrian universities occupy a stable position in the middle of the list of European universities. According to a survey conducted by the magazine, a ranking of the best universities in the continent were four faculties of three Austrian universities – in Vienna, Salzburg and Graz.
In Salzburg it is better to study law, in Vienna – the economy, in Graz – Engineering. In the universities of Austria trained about 210 thousand students, who are training by 18,000 teachers. Almost half of all students (96 thousand) studying at the University of Vienna, Vienna University of Technology and the University of Economics . A large number of students can also boast University of Karl Franz in Graz (Karl-Franzens-Universitaet Graz, 32,5 thousand students), and University of Salzburg (Universitaet Salzburg, 14,6 thousand students). Other universities are much smaller.

Vienna is truly a student city – there are more than half of Austrian and international students. Only in one of Vienna University, the largest in the country, has about 80 thousand students. Few people know that this university is the oldest in existence in the German-speaking region. It was founded by Duke Rudolf IV in 1365.

In the XIX century there were many Austrian specialized universities. These technical universities in Vienna and Graz, Mining University in Leoben, University of Culture land, veterinary and Economic University in Vienna.

In the Austrian education system also includes six art colleges and occupies a special place Danube University Graduate Education in Krems. It increase the training of specialists in the field of European law, international relations in Europe, mass media, economics, management, ecology and medicine.

Colleges in Austria

As for the other two sectors, they are less interesting for foreign students. Academy is a professional educational institution with a three-year training: teaching academy (Paedagogische Akademien), which train primary school teachers, the Academy for Training of social workers, medical and technical academy, producing mid-level medical staff and technical assistants.

High schools in Austria

Fachhochschulen – is the youngest sector of the Austrian High School, which was formed only in the early 90’s. It is focused on the 8-semester vocational training program. It is a  part of their high school graduates are given mainly practical knowledge that allows those to get a job quickly.

Entry Requirements

International students must have a certificate, equivalent to Austrian Matura (Reifezeugnis), and a document certifying that they have already enrolled in the school of the host country. Requirements for admission to a particular faculty vary from year to year, so students must pre-specify the information available to the Austrian Embassy in their country. Applications must be submitted to the selection committee (Evidenzstelle) chosen university no later than 1 September for the start of classes in the winter and 1 February for the start of classes in the summer.

Required language skills

Good knowledge of German required. In order to become a full-time student at the faculty of a university, you have to pass a written and oral exam in language. Conditions for learning German established in almost all universities.

Academic year runs from October to June.

Secondary education in Austria starts from the age of six and lasts for 9 years. First four years, children are engaged in the primary school (Volksschule). At the end of they choose one of the two types of schools: primary – (Hauptschule), where they learn another five years, or an average comprehensive in which they learn eight years.

You can also go to a more prestigious school (Allgemeinbildende Hoehere Schule, AHS / Gymnasium), but it is not easy – there were only about 320 schools with an enrollment of 360 thousand students.

Education in Hauptschule focused on further professional education, although capable the students to go to school. Mathematics, German and foreign languages ​​are studied at three levels of the program. Only the study of these disciplines at the highest level gives the right to continue education at the school.

Gymnasium (classical and real) – a more prestigious school type, the end of which gives the right to enter the university. When the similarity of curricula teaching high school in a more fundamentally, many hours are devoted to the study of modern foreign languages ​​and classical.

Austrian private schools

An alternative to public schools are private, so-called “free” schools. Well represented Waldorf schools, based on the concept of teaching the doctrine which Rudolf Steiner on education free personality development of creativity, “wake up” the hidden natural inclinations. Large role in the programs of these schools play the aesthetic education of children.

Academic year runs from October to June.