Application deadlines at Austrian universities
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Planning to study in Austria? One of the most important steps is knowing when to apply.
Austrian universities have different application deadlines depending on the university, study programme, and whether you are an EU or non-EU student. Missing a deadline can mean waiting another semester, or even a full year, before you can start your degree.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about application deadlines at Austrian universities, including timelines for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, winter and summer intakes, and special deadlines for competitive programmes like medicine or psychology.
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Applying to a university in Austria is not the same for every student or institution. Some universities have strict deadlines and fixed application windows, while others offer more flexible admission periods. Your application steps will mainly depend on a few factors such as the type of institution, student nationality, intake, and degree type.
Austria has three main types of higher education institutions:
In most cases, students apply directly through the university’s official application portal since the universities manage their own admissions systems. OeAD, ÖH’s Studienplattform, and other portals only provide information and orientation; they do not process applications or allocate places.
Moreover, Austrian universities offer two main study timelines each year to consider:
Unlike some countries, Austria does not have one fixed application period for all universities. Each institution sets its own deadlines and admission timelines. Because of these differences, students should always check the official university website and programme page before applying.
Study.eu Tip: If you’re an international student from outside the EU/EEA, applying early can boost your chances of getting in. It gives you extra time to prepare your application, research scholarship options, reach out to former students for advice, and improve your English grades.
Some programmes in Austria have restricted admission (limited study places or “Studien mit Aufnahmeverfahren”). This means that students must go through a separate selection process, which often includes entrance exams, aptitude tests, or ranking systems. Because of this, these programs usually have earlier application deadlines.
The most popular restricted-admission programmes in Austria include Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, Architecture, Veterinary Medicine, and some Arts and Design degrees. For example, medical universities require students to register months in advance for entrance exams such as the MedAT test. Psychology and architecture programmes may also require portfolio submissions or additional assessments. Missing these special deadlines usually means waiting until the next academic year.
Registration deadlines for entrance exams often fall between March and May for programmes starting in the winter semester. The exams themselves usually take place in early summer, and final admission results are published later. Because these timelines are fixed and highly competitive, students should start preparing at least 9 to 12 months in advance. Some universities might offer second admission rounds in August for late applicants if there are still places available.
Yes, when you apply for a Bachelor’s degree in Austria or for a Master’s degree in Austria you will have to pay application fees.
Application fees can vary quite substantially and range between €50 and €200. These are meant to cover the cost of processing documents and they are usually paid when you submit your application or register for an entrance exam.
In most cases, application fees are non-refundable, even if you are not admitted or decide not to enrol, since they cover administrative work already carried out. However, a few universities may refund the fee under very specific circumstances.
It’s important to understand that application or admission fees are not the same as tuition fees. Tuition fees in Austria are paid only after you receive an admission offer and officially enroll as a student. Public universities in Austria often charge low or no tuition fees for EU students, while non-EU students and private universities usually have higher tuition costs.
Missing an application deadline at an Austrian university usually means that you cannot start your studies in that semester. Most public universities and universities of applied sciences strictly follow their official deadlines and do not accept late applications. In this case, you will need to wait for the next available intake, which could be the following semester or even the next academic year.
For non-EU students, missing the deadline can have an even bigger impact. Since the student visa process takes several weeks or months, applying late often leaves too little time to receive an admission letter and submit a visa application. This is why international students are strongly advised to apply as early as possible.
Some private universities may offer more flexible application periods or rolling admissions, such as MODUL University Vienna. However, available study places are limited, and popular programmes can fill up quickly. If you miss the main deadline, it is still worth contacting the university directly to ask if late applications are accepted.
To avoid this situation, always double-check official deadlines, set reminders, and prepare your documents early. Applying ahead of time gives you a safety buffer and increases your chances of securing a study place in Austria.
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