Austria Fully Funded Scholarships 2026 – Step-by-Step Application Guide
Austria
Top Universities in Austria
Government
Austria offers several fully funded and partially funded scholarships for international students in 2026, most of them aimed at Master’s, PhD, and research programmes. The strongest route is the OeAD scholarship, which can cover a monthly stipend of €1,050 to €1,500, accommodation support, and health insurance. If your home university has an Erasmus+ partnership with Austria, you may also be able to study for free with a travel grant included.
This guide covers every major fully funded and partially funded route in Austria, explains who qualifies, clarifies when IELTS is not required, and walks you through the exact steps to apply for the 2026 October intake.
Austria Fully Funded Scholarships at a Glance
| Scholarship | Who It Is For | Main Benefit | Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| OeAD (Government) | International students meeting academic and country criteria | €1,050–€1,500/month + health + accommodation | Master’s, PhD, Research, limited Bachelor’s |
| Erasmus+ | Students whose home university has an Austria partnership | Full tuition + monthly allowance + travel | Exchange and joint degree |
| Austrian Development Cooperation | Students from developing countries | Full or partial funding + living expenses | Master’s, PhD, Research |
| grants.at Database | All international students | 1,000+ scholarships — filter by country, degree, field | All levels |
OeAD Scholarships — What You Get and Who Can Apply
The OeAD (Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation) is Austria’s central government body for international scholarships. It is the most substantial fully funded option available to international students in Austria. Most OeAD grants are aimed at Master’s, PhD, and research-level study, with only a limited number of options available at bachelor’s level.
What the OeAD Scholarship Covers
- Monthly stipend of €1,050 to €1,500 depending on your level and grant type.
- Accommodation support to help with housing costs during your stay.
- Health insurance included for the duration of the scholarship.
- Travel allowance in some grant types — confirm in the specific call you apply to.
Which Programmes Are Eligible
- Bachelor’s: limited options — only a small number of OeAD calls include undergraduate study.
- Master’s: the most widely available OeAD grant level for international students.
- PhD: strong doctoral funding options, especially for research-oriented candidates.
- Research stays: short and extended research grants for postgraduate and academic-level applicants.
Who Can Apply
- You must be an international student who meets the country-specific eligibility rules of the specific OeAD call you apply to.
- You need a strong academic record — OeAD scholarships are competitive and merit-based.
- You must apply to or already be enrolled at an Austrian university or research institution recognised by OeAD.
- Some calls require a language certificate in German or English depending on the programme.
- Each OeAD call has its own deadline and rules. Always check the current call at studyinaustria.at/en/plan-your-studies/scholarships-funding.
Erasmus+ — Free Tuition and a Monthly Allowance for Exchange Students
Erasmus+ is the European Union’s flagship international exchange programme. If your home university already has an Erasmus+ partnership with an Austrian university, you can study in Austria for one or two semesters with your tuition fully covered, a monthly living allowance, and a travel grant included.
This is one of the best fully funded routes into Austria because the funding is confirmed before you travel and covers your main study costs. Check with your home institution’s international office to see which Austrian universities are on your Erasmus+ partner list. The programme site is: erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu.
- Full tuition fee waiver at the Austrian host university for the exchange period.
- Monthly Erasmus+ allowance to help cover living costs — the amount depends on your home country.
- Travel grant towards your flights or other transport to and from Austria.
- Available for exchange semesters and joint degree programmes.
Austrian Development Cooperation — For Students From Developing Nations
The Austrian Development Cooperation scholarship is a targeted programme primarily for students from developing and low-income countries. It is administered through OeAD and offers full or partial funding that can include a tuition fee waiver and support for living expenses.
This route is mainly for Master’s, PhD, and research-level applicants whose study or research topic is relevant to development priorities. If you are from a qualifying country, this can be a strong option for full cost coverage. Browse available calls at: oead.at.
grants.at — Search 1,000+ Austrian Scholarships in One Place
grants.at is Austria’s official scholarship database. It lists more than 1,000 funding opportunities from government bodies, universities, private foundations, and research institutions. You can filter by your country of origin, degree level, and field of study to find options specific to your situation.
Many of the scholarships listed here are not advertised individually on university or government websites. This makes grants.at one of the most important tools for any international student researching funding for Austria in 2026. Visit: grants.at.
Can You Study in Austria Without IELTS?
IELTS is not always required to study in Austria. Many Austrian universities accept alternative evidence of English proficiency, particularly if your previous degree was taught in English or if your home institution can provide a formal letter confirming the language of instruction.
Commonly Accepted Alternatives to IELTS
- Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter: an official letter from your previous university confirming your degree was taught and assessed in English.
- Previous English-medium degree: a transcript or graduation certificate showing your qualification was completed in English.
- Internal university language test: some Austrian universities run their own English assessment as part of the admission process.
Universities That May Accept Without IELTS
- University of Vienna — check the specific admission requirements for your programme.
- TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) — technical and engineering programmes may have different language requirements.
- University of Innsbruck — some English-taught programmes accept MOI evidence.
- Johannes Kepler University Linz — confirm directly with the international admissions team.
Important: these policies change by programme and by year. Always confirm the exact language requirements directly on the official admissions page of your specific course before applying. Do not assume MOI is accepted — verify it.
Austria Intake Deadlines for 2026 and 2027
| Intake | Studies Begin | Application Window | Scholarship Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter 2026 (Main) | October 2026 | March – July 2026 | Check each OeAD call individually |
| Summer 2027 | March 2027 | September – January | Typically 3–6 months before start |
Scholarship deadlines do not always match university admission deadlines. OeAD calls, Erasmus+ nominations, and Development Cooperation applications each have their own schedule. Apply to the scholarship as early as the call opens — do not wait until you have your admission letter in hand, since some scholarship applications close before admission is confirmed.
How to Apply — Step by Step
How to Apply
- Choose your programme. Browse university websites and filter for English-taught courses. Confirm the exact admission requirements and language conditions for each.
- Check which scholarships you are eligible for. Start with OeAD at studyinaustria.at, check grants.at for more options, and ask your home university about Erasmus+ partnerships with Austria.
- Prepare your documents: academic transcripts, a well-written CV, a clear motivation letter, proof of identity (passport), and language evidence (IELTS, TOEFL, or MOI letter).
- Submit your university application through the official admission portal. Most universities have their own online system — confirm the deadline carefully.
- Apply for your chosen scholarship separately. OeAD, Erasmus+, and Development Cooperation all have independent application processes. Submit before their specific deadlines.
- Wait for results. University admission decisions typically take 4 to 12 weeks. Scholarship results can take longer depending on the call.
- Once you have your admission letter, begin your Austrian student visa (Studierendenvisum) application at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country.
- Arrange housing before you travel. Student accommodation in Austria fills quickly — apply to on-campus housing as early as possible or start looking for a shared flat.
Tips That Actually Improve Your Chances
- Apply early: OeAD calls open months before deadlines, and competition is high. Submitting in the first week gives you more time to correct errors.
- Write a specific motivation letter: generic letters are the main reason applications fail. Name the university, your research interest, and why Austria fits your goals.
- Apply to more than one university: spreading your applications improves your admission odds and gives you a backup if one programme is full.
- Use MOI if you do not have IELTS: a formal letter from your registrar or academic adviser confirming English instruction is usually sufficient for universities that accept it.
- Search grants.at before assuming you are not eligible: the database includes smaller, targeted grants that are often less competitive than OeAD.
- Start your visa early: Austrian student visa processing can take several weeks. Do not wait until after your scholarship result — start gathering visa documents in parallel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the OeAD scholarship pay per month?
The OeAD scholarship typically provides a monthly stipend of €1,050 to €1,500, along with accommodation support, health insurance, and in some cases a travel allowance. The exact amount depends on the specific grant type and your level of study.
Is the OeAD scholarship fully funded?
For most Master’s and PhD grants, yes. The combination of monthly stipend, accommodation support, and health insurance covers the main costs of studying in Austria. Some grant types are partial, so always check the specific call details at studyinaustria.at.
Can I apply for Erasmus+ if my university is not in Europe?
Erasmus+ also includes international credit mobility streams that allow students from partner countries outside Europe to exchange with European universities. Check with your home university’s international office to see whether your institution has this type of Erasmus+ agreement with an Austrian partner.
Do I need IELTS to apply for an OeAD scholarship?
Not necessarily. Language requirements depend on the programme you are applying to. If your programme accepts an MOI letter or previous English-medium study as evidence, you can use that instead. However, some OeAD calls specify a minimum IELTS score, so always read the individual call requirements carefully.
What is the Austrian Development Cooperation scholarship?
It is a funding programme administered through OeAD for students from developing or low-income countries. It can provide a full or partial tuition fee waiver and support for living expenses, mainly at Master’s and PhD level. Browse available calls at oead.at.
Is the Winter 2026 intake still open?
As of March 2026, most Austrian universities are within their application window for the October 2026 Winter intake (typically March to July). Check the exact deadline on your chosen university’s official admissions page — do not rely on general estimates.