Tuition fees

As a result of the amendment of the University Act 2002 (UG), Federal Law Gazette (BGBl.) I No. 18/2013, the following provisions for tuition fees at universities apply as of the summer semester 2013.
(Please note: This only applies to universities. Universities of applied sciences and private universities may have different tuition fees and conditions; information about these is available directly from the relevant institution):

§ 91. (1) Regular degree-programme students who are nationals of an EU or EEA country and regular degree-programme students to whom Austria grants the same rights of access to education as Austrian nationals due to international agreements have to pay a tuition fee of 363.36 euros per semester, if they exceed the scheduled duration of a bachelor's or master's degree programme according to § 51 para. 2 Z 26 and § 54 para. 3 (30 ECTS credits corresponding to one semester), or a doctoral programme or a section of a traditional degree programme by more than two semesters. The tuition fee increases by 10 % if the student pays it during the period of grace. Non-degree programme students who are only admitted to attend individual classes in academic subjects also have to pay a tuition fee of 363.36 euros for each semester, irrespective of their nationality.

(2) Degree-programme students from third countries who do not fall under para. 1 or the group of persons according to § 1 of the Regulation of the Federal Minister of Science and Transport on the Determination of Groups of Persons regarding Admission to Degree Programme Studies (Personengruppenverordnung), BGBl. II No. 211/1997, as amended by the Regulation BGBl. II No. 15/1998, and who have a residence permit for students according to § 64 of the Settlement and Residence Act (NAG), BGBl. I No. 100/2005, have to pay tuition fees of 726.72 euros per semester. All other degree-programme students from third countries who do not fall under para. 1 or the first sentence of para. 2 will have to pay tuition fees according to para. 1.

(3) Students who have been admitted to more than one degree programme, even at more than one university, only have to pay the tuition fees once.

(4) The tuition fee must be paid in advance for each semester. In order to ensure that the tuition fees are paid the Bundesrechenzentrum GmbH shall operate a data network of the universities, which must contain the following data of the students in order to ensure that the tuition fee is collected:

1. the matriculation number;

2. the names including any academic degrees and gender;

3. nationality;

4. the contribution status;

5. the address at the place of study and at home.

(5) The tuition fees remain with the respective university. The tuition fees of students who pursue a course of study that has been established jointly by several universities or who are admitted to several courses of study at different universities shall be divided among the participating universities.

(6) Further provisions on the collection of tuition fees shall be determined by means of regulations of the Federal Minister.

(7) Students attending certificate university courses (Universitätslehrgänge) have to pay a course fee. This fee shall be determined by the Rectorate, taking into account the actual costs of the certificate university course. Degree-programme students who receive a federal study grant must be granted a reduction of the course fee on request, taking into account their financial situation. Non-degree programme students who are only admitted to a certificate university course have to pay the course fee instead of the tuition fees. No course fees and no tuition fees are charged for preparatory courses.

Waiver and refund of tuition fees

§ 92. (1) The universities will waive the tuition fees in particular for the following categories of students:

1. Students for the semesters in which they can prove that they will complete studies or practical training periods within the framework of transnational EU, state or university mobility programmes;

2. Students for the semesters in which they will complete studies abroad that are required by the curriculum;

3. International degree-programme students according to § 91 para. 2 whose last attended university has concluded a partnership agreement with the Austrian university/universities that includes the reciprocal waiver of the tuition fees. The tuition fees will also be waived for international degree-programme students according to § 91 para. 2 from the least developed countries. These countries are to be determined by a decree of the Federal Minister;

4. Students who meet the requirements of § 91, para. 1, even if they exceed the period specified in para. 1, for semesters in which they can prove that they were unable to study for a period of more than 2 months due to illness or pregnancy, or in which they had mainly devoted themselves to the care of children up to their 7th birthday or entry into school.

5. Students who fulfil the requirements according to § 91 para. 1, even if they exceed the period specified in para. 1, if they had taken up gainful employment in the calendar year before the beginning of the respective semester and earned an annual income of at least 14 times the amount according to § 5 Abs. 2 ASVG. For this purpose the social security institutions must provide the universities, on request, with the data of the students regarding their employment and contribution bases for the calendar year prior to the beginning of each semester via their Central Association (§ 31 ASVG).

6. Students who meet the requirements according to § 91 para. 1, even if they exceed the period of time specified in para. 1, if they have a disability of at least 50% according to federal regulations.

7. Students, if they received study grants according to the Studienförderungsgesetz 1992, Federal Law Gazette No. 305/1992, in the previous semester or if they receive them in the current semester.

(2) The Rectorate shall decide on the application for a waiver of the tuition fees.

(3) Students applying for a tuition fee waiver have to attach the documents required for a tuition fee waiver to their application.

(4) The decision of the University shall be documented in an appropriate form.

(5) Students who have been granted a waiver of the tuition fees in accordance with para. 1 (1) and (2) and who have not completed any studies or practical training periods abroad in accordance with these provisions during the current semester have to pay the tuition fees retrospectively. The Rectorate shall issue a decision to this effect.

(6) If students have culpably caused or obtained the waiver of the tuition fee through incomplete or untrue statements of relevant facts, they have to pay the double tuition fee. The Rectorate has to issue a decision to this effect.

(7) Students who are on leave of absence do not have to pay tuition fees.

(8) Appeals to the Senate may be lodged against decisions of the Rectorate.

(9) The Federal Minister is entitled, in accordance with Austria's priorities regarding the measures to support and promote the economic and social development of the developing countries as well as to support the reform countries of Central and Eastern Europe, to determine countries whose nationals can be reimbursed the tuition fees.

10. Refunds shall be made on the basis of applications from students. The fees have to be reimbursed within four weeks of the application for the reimbursement. There is no legal claim to a reimbursement.