WHY STUDY IN AUSTRIA AND IN VIENNA?
Austria combines high living standards, a strong academic tradition and a central location in Europe, while Vienna offers students an environment where quality of life, culture, affordability and international career opportunities come together.
Vienna regularly ranks among the world's most liveable cities. In Mercer's 2024 Quality of Living ranking, Vienna placed 2nd worldwide, reflecting factors such as infrastructure, public transport, healthcare, housing, recreation and the overall urban environment.
Vienna also ranked the 9th best student city in the world in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 ranking (https://www.qs.com/insights/best-student-cities), placing it among Europe’s leading destinations for higher education. The ranking considers factors such as quality of universities, affordability, employer activity, international student mix, desirability and feedback from students themselves. Vienna also benefits from particularly strong scores for quality of life and desirability.
The city combines excellent public infrastructure, extensive green spaces and cultural life with a city that remains relatively easy to navigate.
Located at the heart of Europe, Austria provides an excellent base for exploring the continent. Vienna is particularly well connected to Central and Eastern Europe, with cities such as Bratislava, Budapest, Prague and Munich all within easy reach.
But Vienna is international in its own right. The city is one of only four United Nations headquarters worldwide, alongside New York, Geneva and Nairobi. Almost 50 international and quasi-international organisations, as well as 124 embassies and 199 multilateral representations, are based here. Organisations including the United Nations, IAEA, UNIDO, OSCE and OPEC contribute to a genuinely global professional environment.
For students, this international ecosystem creates opportunities to attend conferences, professional events and networking activities and to explore careers across business, technology, sustainability, international relations, tourism and many other fields.
Vienna also offers an attractive balance between quality and cost. Modul University's students currently spend between €900-1,600 per month for housing and living expenses, and these costs are depending particularly on accommodation and lifestyle. A typical estimate includes around €450–750 for accommodation, approximately €300 for food, and additional expenses for transport, study needs, culture and leisure.
Students can also benefit from discounts across public transport, museums, theatres, cinemas and other cultural venues. This makes it possible to experience one of Europe's major cultural capitals—from museums and classical music to cafés, parks and contemporary events—without every activity carrying a premium-city price tag.
Vienna's appeal is ultimately the combination of these different factors. Students can experience the lifestyle and opportunities of an international capital while living in a city known for stability, infrastructure and quality of life.
Austria also allows international students to combine their studies with professional experience. Third-country students holding a student residence permit can generally work up to 20 hours per week, subject to the required employment permit being obtained by the employer. Students with a valid Austrian residence permit can also travel throughout the Schengen Area under the applicable 90-in-180-day rules.
For students looking for an international education in Europe, Vienna offers more than a place to earn a degree, it is a place destination where you can live well. It provides a safe, connected and internationally oriented environment in which to study, build a network and begin shaping a future career.
