Study in Austria from Sri Lanka · Austria Destination Guide · Free Counselling
Affordable EU tuition, English-taught Master's, the heart of central Europe
Austrian public universities charge non-EU students €726.72/semester — among the lowest tuition fees in the EU. TU Wien, the University of Vienna and WU Wien run dozens of English-taught Master's programs. After graduation, the Job-Seeker visa gives you 12 months to find work, with conversion to the Red-White-Red Card for skilled employment.
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Why Choose Austria?
Public Tuition €726/Semester
Austrian public universities charge non-EU students just €726.72/semester (~LKR 250k/year total) — one of the lowest tuition fees in the EU. TU Wien, University of Vienna, WU Wien all at this rate.
English-Taught Master's
TU Wien, the University of Vienna, WU and the Modul University run English-medium Master's in business, computer science, engineering and tourism. Bachelor's are mostly in German.
Job-Seeker Visa + Red-White-Red Card
12-month Job-Seeker residence permit after graduation, then conversion to a Red-White-Red Card (work permit) once employed — a clear long-term residency pathway through Austria's points-based skilled-migration system.
What it costs to study in Austria
Austria is one of the most affordable EU destinations — public university tuition at €726.72/semester is barely a quarter of Ireland or Dutch rates. Vienna rents are mid-range; Graz, Innsbruck and Linz run 30% cheaper.
check_circle Lanka Scholar's counselling, applications and visa prep are free. Universities pay us a commission when you enrol — you pay tuition and visa fees to the institutions themselves.
Note on Exchange Rates
Figures use an indicative rate of EUR 1 ≈ LKR 340. The Austrian MA35 requires proof of €14,604/year for students under 24 (and €17,720/year for those 24+) for the residence permit application.
Average Annual Costs
The Residence Permit – Student (Aufenthaltsbewilligung) — what you'll actually need
The four things every Sri Lankan applicant has to put together. We prepare and review every file before it goes in — refusals are rare when the application is properly prepared.
Letter of Admission
A formal admission letter from an Austrian public or private university recognised by BMBWF (the federal ministry).
Proof of Funds
€14,604/year (under 24) or €17,720/year (24+) in personal or sponsor account. Funds must be in your name or a notarised sponsor commitment.
Accommodation Evidence
A rental contract or student dormitory booking (e.g. ÖJAB or OEAD-Housing) for the first months in Austria.
Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung)
Apply at the Austrian Embassy in New Delhi before travel. After arrival, collect the physical card from the MA35 office in Vienna or the relevant local Magistrat.
What Sri Lankan students apply for in Austria
Hand-picked programs that Sri Lankan applicants are getting offers from this year.
MSc Logic and Computation
TU Wien
MSc Strategy, Innovation, and Management Control
WU Vienna University of Economics and Business
Bachelor in Business and Economics (BBE)
WU Vienna University of Economics and Business
Scholarships open to Sri Lankan applicants
Open right now. Eligibility varies — message us before assuming you don't qualify.
Ernst Mach Grant (OeAD)
OeAD (Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation)
University of Vienna uni:docs Fellowship
University of Vienna
WU Vienna Merit-Based Scholarship
WU Vienna University of Economics and Business
When to apply for 2026/27
Start your application 6–9 months before the intake you're targeting. Below are this academic year's windows for Austria.
Winter Semester (Primary)
Main intake — widest course choice and most scholarship rounds. Non-EU application deadlines: 5 September.
Summer Semester
Secondary intake at most Austrian universities, especially for Master's programs. Application deadline: 5 February.
Private Universities
Modul Vienna, Webster Vienna and several private institutions run rolling admissions.
Common questions about studying in Austria
Don't see your question? WhatsApp a Austria counsellor — we usually reply within the hour, weekdays.
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Is public tuition really €726/semester? expand_more
Yes — Austrian public universities (TU Wien, University of Vienna, WU Wien, University of Graz, etc.) charge non-EU students €726.72/semester. The €19.20 ÖH student union fee is on top. Total annual tuition is approximately €1,492 (~LKR 500k). -
Do I need German? expand_more
Not for English-taught Master's — TU Wien, University of Vienna, WU and several others run English-medium programs. Most Bachelor's programs are in German with B2 admission requirement. A2 German helps with daily life and the Job-Seeker residence permit transition. -
How is the Job-Seeker visa different from the Red-White-Red Card? expand_more
Job-Seeker: 12-month residence permit immediately after graduation to find work — no employer sponsorship required. Red-White-Red Card: a work permit issued once you secure a graduate-level job, on a points-based system that rewards education + language + age. Most non-EU graduates qualify. -
Can I work during study? expand_more
20 hours/week year-round on a student residence permit. Most Sri Lankan students earn €10–€14/hour in retail, hospitality and tutoring. -
Is the Austrian residence permit application complicated for Sri Lankans? expand_more
It's procedural rather than complicated, but the MA35 (Vienna immigration office) is famously slow. We coordinate the embassy submission in New Delhi, the proof-of-funds documentation, and the post-arrival registration to minimise delay.
Ready to start your Austria application?
A 15-minute WhatsApp chat is enough to map out your timeline, shortlist 3–5 universities, and tell you what the realistic LKR budget looks like. Free for students — universities pay us, not you.
Message a Austria Counsellor- check_circle Free for students — universities pay us, not you
- check_circle Average reply: under 1 hour, weekdays
- check_circle Walk in to any of 4 offices across Sri Lanka
Prefer a callback?
Drop your number — a counsellor calls within one working day.