For Students

Studying Medicine in Austria

Here are some things and tips about studying medicine in Austria that you should know if you want to pursue your dreams in this country.

Among the countries in Europe, Austria is one of the leading countries in academics and research, as mentioned in the global university rankings in Europe. Therefore, this is the best country to take your first step in your medical career if you want to be successful. Not only the quality of education, but also the latest modern facilities and equipment available and ready to use for all students.

Studying Medicine in Austria as an International Student

Austrian universities welcome foreign students, especially those who work in research, to study medicine in Austria. In the field of medicine, there are international universities that offer scholarships to assist students in their financial resources. Additionally, many universities in Austria are part of the Erasmus+ program, where many students from all over the world gain the experience of education offered in Europe and are invited to continue their further studies on the continent.

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Conditions for Studying Medicine in Austria

Applicants must provide proof of “General University Entrance Qualification” with one of the following documents:

Foreign high school diploma
Completion of at least three years of post-secondary education in a recognized local or foreign educational institution
International baccalaureate diploma obtained according to the “International Regulations”
Language proficiency certificates in German or English by passing the university admission course
Proof of registration in a preparatory course at an accredited Austrian institute
Copy of passport or birth certificate
Admission exams are mandatory for studying medicine in Austria. You can only apply to one university at a time as all Austrian universities hold admission exams to medical faculties at the same time.
The admission exams cover biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and an IQ test.

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Language of Studying

While some medical faculties in Austria teach in English, most universities in the country require students to have a good command of their local language, German, to study medicine. Most official university websites state that international students wishing to study in Austria in general should have knowledge of the German language. The Medical University of Vienna is the only university with this requirement.

Cost of studying

The tuition fee for non-European Union citizens studying medicine in Austria is 800 euros per year. The cost of living in Austria varies greatly, from major cities like Vienna and Innsbruck to other lower-cost cities. European citizens can study medicine for free.

Accepted Grades

Austrian medical faculties accept students with a high school GPA of over 90%.

Is studying medicine in Austria difficult?

There is no accurate record of the dropout rate in Austria, but it is estimated to be 9% at most among all medical students in the country, including international students. However, only a few of these students leave their programs without obtaining their degrees. In most cases, these students delay their studies due to factors affecting their learning.

See Also: Approbation for foreign doctors in Germany

Duration of study

Studying medicine in Austria includes 12 semesters, including:

Semester 1: An introductory phase where students learn about health, disease, the human body, first aid, and more.
Semester 2: Students learn about different effects on the human body and how to perform medical examinations. They also study genetic and biological regulations of the human body.
Semester 5: The study covers nutrition, digestion, reproduction, pregnancy, and human growth.
Semester 8: The study includes the physical factors affecting the human body in health and disease.
Semesters 9 and 10: Students must pass all exams conducted in the previous semesters to proceed to semesters 9 and 10, where they complete the compulsory optional training in internal medicine successfully.
Semesters 11 and 12: After studying and passing all semesters, students work as members of the learning team in the clinical departments of the University Clinics of the Medical University of Vienna and accredited teaching hospitals. They are accompanied by mentors in their intensive clinical education

Best Medical Schools in Austria

1. Vienna Medical University

The Medical University of Vienna became independent in 2004. Medicine has been taught here since 1365. Today, the Medical University of Vienna is among the top 50 in the world, and it ranks 14th among medical faculties in Europe and the best in Austria.

During the 6-year medical program in Austria, the goal is to educate you to become a doctor in all specialties, covering the same level of theory and application. There is a high value placed on practicing the concepts taught in the classroom. Therefore, there is an 18-week training program as part of the 6-year study, in addition to a 48-week clinical training. The latter is conducted during the last year at the university, where you can train in a number of accredited teaching hospitals with a specialized mentor.

2. Medical University of Graz

The Medical University of Graz, which was part of the University of Karl and Franz in Graz, became an independent institution in 2004. It boasts of educating Nobel Prize winners Fritz Pregl (Physics), Julius Wagner (Medicine), and Otto Loewi (Medicine).

The general medicine program in this Austrian medical school is called human medicine and is taught only in German. It is also possible to study dentistry and pharmacy alongside a wide range of special research studies and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

3. Medical University of Innsbruck

One of the best medical colleges in Austria, the Medical College began operating in 1769 and then separated from the University of Innsbruck under the University Law of 2002. It now has 3,000 students and prides itself as a major center for medical research and training.

Studying in the Tyrol region, where Innsbruck is located, also provides a unique cultural experience. The region is located in the Alps, so you will be in the mountains, not far from attractions like skiing and hiking. It is also a unique area where Italian and Austrian cultures blend due to the shared history of ownership in the region. Food, customs, and festivals here differ significantly from other parts of Austria and will certainly be a distinctive mark.

4. Paracelsus Medical University Private, Salzburg

Paracelsus Private University has locations in both Salzburg and Nuremberg. They focus on teaching as well as patient care and have three research centers and six research programs atop 22 university institutes.

The medical university was built alongside the University Hospital of Salzburg and was later expanded in collaboration with Nuremberg Hospital. The general medicine program is called human medicine, and there are also programs available in pharmacy and nursing sciences, as well as a number of research study programs in areas such as molecular medicine. They also offer a lot of international cooperation programs with institutions like Mayo Medical School, Harvard University, University of Milan, University of Cambridge, etc.

It should be noted that as this is a private university, its fees are significantly higher than those of the above-mentioned public medical colleges in Austria. You should expect to pay €14,000 per academic year in tuition fees.

Salary of a Doctor in Austria

Of course, you want to know what you will earn as a doctor. Unfortunately, we cannot provide any binding information as the salary consists of various variables. For example, your professional experience, the situation you work in, whether you are an employee or running your own practice, etc.

According to Stepstone.at, doctors can expect a gross annual salary of €53,900 (as of 2021/05).