On 24 September 2008, the Austrian Parliament passed an amendment to the University Law regarding the tuition fee. To continue your studies you have to pay the tuition fee/Students' Union fee within the corresponding deadline. Please bear in mind, the tuition fee has not been abolished even though the media often proclaimed the contrary. However, crucial changes have been enacted.

The amount depends on:

• the compliance with the minimum duration of the degree programme plus two additional semesters (in the case of Diploma programmes there are two additional semesters for each part of the programme),
• the citizenship and
• the date of payment.

Within the extended admission period the tuition fee is increased by 10%, which leads to a total of € 416.20 (including the Students' Union fee).

In general, the tuition fee is € 363.36 per semester, but many students are exempted from the tuition fee or entitled to apply for remission.

How much is the tuition fee for non-degree programme students?

Regardless of their citizenship, non-degree programme students have to pay € 379.86 per semester within the general admission period. This amount consists of the tuition fee (€ 363.36) and the Students' Union fee (€ 16.50). Within the extended admission period, the tuition fee is increased by 10%, which leads to an amount of € 416.20 for non-degree programme students.

If you are attending exclusively a continuing education programme at the University of Vienna or the Viennese University Preparation Programme, you are exempted from the tuition fee. You have to pay the Students' Union fee and the fee of the programme you are attending.

How much is the tuition fee for students from EU countries and Austria?

Degree programme students from Austria, from another EU/EEA member state as well as students holding the same rights as residents regarding the access to occupation (e.g. convention refugees) are exempted from the tuition fee as long as they study within the minimum duration of their degree programme plus two additional semesters (in the case of Diploma programmes there are two additional semesters for each part of the programme). In this case students pay only the Students' Union fee of € 16.50 till the end of the extended admission period (winter semester: 30 November, summer semester: 30 April) in order to continue their studies.

In case you exceeded the minimum duration of your degree programme (plus two additional semesters) there are two possibilities to continue studying:

• You pay the tuition fee of € 379.86 within the general admission period of the respective semester. This amount consists of the tuition fee (€ 363.36) and the Students' Union fee (€ 16.50). Within the extended admission period the tuition fee is increased by 10% which leads to a total of € 416.20.
• You apply for remission of the tuition fee and if your application is granted, you only have to pay the Students' Union fee within the admission period, by the end of the extended admission period the latest (winter semester: 30 November, summer semester: 30 April). If your application for admission cannot be processed within the deadline, you have to pay the fee first and then apply for remission and for reimbursement.

How much is the tuition fee for students from other countries?

Degree programme students from other countries (neither holding Austrian/EU/EEA citizenship nor holding the same rights regarding the access to occupation) as well as stateless students have to pay a tuition fee of € 379.86 within the general admission period of the respective semester. This fee comprises the tuition fee (€ 363.36) and the Students' Union fee (€ 16.50).
Within the extended admission period the fee is increased by 10%, which leads to a total of € 416.20.

Are there any exceptions to these regulations?

According to the University Law 2002 and the Articles of the University of Vienna there are further reasons for remission of the tuition fee. For further information please click here.

The Ministry of Sciences and Research entitles Austrian universities to reimburse the tuition fee to citizens of certain countries. The University of Vienna follows the Ministry's recommendations and reimburses the tuition fee to students from several countries. For further information please click here.
If your country is not on the list you have to pay the amount mentioned above.

Are there any reductions for students who work besides studying?

Working students who earned in the calendar year of 2008 a minimum amount of € 4,886.14 are entitled to apply for remission of the tuition fee for the winter semester 2009. The income tax return serves as proof and can be obtained at the local tax and revenue office. For remission of the tuition fee for the summer semester 2010 and the winter semester 2010, a minimum amount of € 5,008.36 earned in the calendar year 2009 has to be proven by income tax return.

This regulation applies only if you have already exceeded the minimum duration of your degree programme plus two additional semesters (in the case of Diploma programmes there are two additional semesters for each part of the programme). Only students holding an Austrian/EU/EEA citizenship or students holding the same rights regarding the access to occupation as residents due to international agreements (e.g. convention refugees) are entitled to apply.

Since 2004 the tuition fee can be used for a tax reduction under certain conditions. This is the case if your studies are related to work as training or further education or form part of retraining. The reduction can be used if your income exceeds the tax exemption limit of € 10.900  or € 10.000 (if you are self-employed).