Do I need German to apply to a Vienna university?

For German-taught bachelors, yes — usually B2 (TestDaF, ÖSD, DSH). English-taught masters typically require IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 88.

Österreichische Hochschülerschaft — the student union. Your €22.70/semester fee covers legal advice, mental-health hotline, accident insurance, free German courses and social events.

Can I switch programmes after enrolling?

Yes — apply to the new course; previous credits transfer through *Anrechnung*. The tuition-fee year resets and your residence permit must be renotified to MA 35.

Universities

Vienna hosts 9 public universities, 5 universities of applied sciences (FHs), and several private institutions — together ≈ 200 000 students.

Public universities

Universität Wien (90 000) — humanities, sciences, law
TU Wien (32 000) — engineering, computer science
WU Wien (24 000) — business, economics
BOKU (12 000) — life sciences, sustainability
MedUni Wien (8 000) — medicine
Vetmeduni (2 700) — veterinary medicine
Akademie der bildenden Künste — fine arts
Universität für angewandte Kunst (Angewandte) — applied arts
mdw — music & performing arts

Tuition (2025/26)

EU/EEA/Swiss + Austrian-recognised refugees: €0 within standard duration
Non-EU: €726.72/semester + €22.70 ÖH fee
Public-FH non-EU: €363.36/semester

Application windows

Most degrees: 1 March – 5 September (winter intake) and 1 October – 5 February (summer). Quota-restricted programmes (medicine, psychology) close earlier — usually March–May.

Language

~70 % of bachelor programmes are in German (B2/C1 needed); ~30 % of master programmes are English-only.