Medical studies in Austria

At which universities in Austria is it possible to study medicine?

In Austria, you have the opportunity to start your medical studies at two private (Karl Landsteiner Krems and Paracelsus Salzburg) or four public universities:

Medical University of Vienna

Every year, the Medical University of Vienna offers 680 study places in human medicine. It is also possible to study dentistry there. The guidelines of the curriculum are problem-orientation, method-led examination and subject integration. It is also important for university teaching that students deal with specific medical issues, such as knowledge about gender-specific differences (gender medicine), at an early stage.

As a student city, Vienna offers you a wide range of options to enrich your student life. As a cultural centre, Vienna has numerous entertainment options in the form of theatres, opera houses, museums and galleries. Many small parks and gardens offer you recreational opportunities and numerous bars and restaurants provide an exciting nightlife.

Medical University of Graz

The University of Graz is regarded as a centre of innovative cutting-edge medicine and places great emphasis on research. Both human medicine and dentistry are offered here. You will be taught the theoretical foundations and practical skills you need for your medical career in an integrative and subject-centred way.

Graz is located in the south of Austria and offers an ideal balance between culture, leisure and quality of life. Many green oases such as parks and green spaces invite you to go for walks and picnics. You can sample Austrian specialities in one of the many restaurants. The city is rich in cultural events, including concerts and film festivals.  

Medical University of Innsbruck (MIU)

The Medical University of Innsbruck offers 360 places for new students of human medicine every year. The degree programme is made up of interdisciplinary modules. A special focus is placed on practice. Contact with patients is established very early on in the programme. In addition to studying human medicine, it is also possible to study dentistry at the MIU.

Innsbruck is a popular and attractive student city. As the city is picturesquely situated in the Austrian Alps, you can enjoy numerous leisure activities such as skiing, hiking and mountaineering. The city itself has a rich cultural scene characterised by concerts, theatre performances and film festivals.

Medical Faculty of the JKU Linz

The Faculty of Medicine at the Johannes Kepler University Linz was only founded in 2014 and therefore has state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories. Medical teaching is at the cutting edge of science. The Faculty's unique research specialisms include clinical ageing research and healthcare research.

The beautiful city on the Danube offers you a variety of opportunities to organise your student life. The mixture of small cafés, bars and clubs makes for a lively social atmosphere. In addition, life in Linz is somewhat cheaper compared to larger cities such as Vienna.

Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg (PMU)

The ultra-modern curriculum of the private PMU enables you to complete your degree in human medicine in just 5 years. Studying in small groups enables excellent supervision. The use of state-of-the-art VR and AR technologies ensures optimal knowledge transfer. The university has numerous international collaborations, so you have the opportunity to do an internship abroad at the Mayo Clinic in the USA, for example. This is regarded by experts as the best clinic in the world!

Surrounded by the Alps, the city offers a wide range of leisure activities and cultural events such as the Salzburg Festival. Your student life there won't get boring any time soon.

Karl Landsteiner Private University Krems

The medical degree programme at Karl Landsteiner University is divided into a three-year Bachelor's degree and a three-year Master's degree. On the basis of a modern curriculum, students at the private university are taught the knowledge required for the medical profession in an interprofessional, practical manner and in small groups.

The city of Krems is located on the Danube in the north-east of the country. It has a compact size and therefore exudes the charm of a small town with a personal atmosphere. Numerous vineyards surround the town. The surrounding countryside offers countless outdoor opportunities such as hiking or cycling.

What are the requirements for studying medicine in Austria?

As there are so many applications for a limited number of places to study medicine, the public universities in Austria have come up with something different: the MedAT entrance test. This test takes place once a year and is specific to the place of study. This means that you can only start your medical studies in Austria where you have successfully passed the test.

The test consists of multiple-choice questions. Your skills are tested in the following areas: Cognition, basic science, text comprehension and verbal reasoning as well as social-emotional skills. If you fail the test, you can try again the following year. We will help you to ensure that this is not necessary 😉

The private universities have their own entrance test.  

At some universities the programme is taught in German, so you will need a minimum language level of C1 if German is not your native language.

The Johannes Kepler University Linz and the Medical University of Graz also require proof of your knowledge of Latin. If you do not have (sufficient) proof of previous Latin lessons (at least 10 hours per week), it is necessary to take a supplementary examination.

Structure and content of medical studies in Austria

The structure of the medical degree programme in Austria differs slightly between the individual universities.

The Medical studies at the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Innsbruck is divided into three sections, which in turn are divided into different thematic blocks. In total, the Duration of medical studies six years. The first two semesters make up the first section, which is mainly about acquiring social skills and understanding health, disease and functional systems of the human body. The second section lasts six semesters and you will gain knowledge in the fields of physiology and pathophysiology. The final section, the eleventh and twelfth semesters, is the Clinical Practical Year (CPY). During this year, you will familiarise yourself with everyday medical work on various wards at MedUni Vienna's university hospitals or cooperating teaching hospitals.

The Johannes Kepler University Linz and the Medical University of Graz have divided the medical degree programme into a three-year Bachelor's degree and a three-year Master's degree. During your bachelor's degree, you will acquire interdisciplinary basic knowledge focussed on specific topics and organs, as well as practical experience from the first semester onwards. After completing your Bachelor's degree, you will be authorised to begin a Master's degree in Human Medicine. The content of the Master's programme includes surgery, paediatric cardiology, emergency medicine, psychology and sports medicine. The final year of the programme is your clinical internship year, during which you will experience everyday medical hospital life in practice in various clinical departments.

Studying at the Karl Landsteiner Private University is divided into a three-year Bachelor's degree programme in Medical Science and a subsequent three-year Master's degree programme in Human Medicine, which primarily takes place in clinical teaching at the three university hospitals in Krems, St. Pölten and Tulln.

At the Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) the medical degree programme is also divided into a Bachelor's and Master's degree. What is special about this university is that studying human medicine only takes five years due to a precise curriculum, shorter holiday periods and training in small groups.

How much does it cost to study medicine in Austria?

You do not have to pay tuition fees at public universities in Austria. There is only a semester fee of around (385 euros). The entrance test, which is required for the application, costs (110 euros).

Private universities charge tuition fees in comparison to public institutions. The Karl Landsteiner Private University charges (16,000 euros) per semester for studying human medicine. At Paracelsus Medical Private University Salzburg, the semester fee is approximately (20,000 euros) per year.

The cost of living in Austria is slightly higher than in Germany. Depending on where you are studying, you will need to budget a little more money for food and rent in particular.

Numerous Scholarships could help you to Costs of studying medicine to cover.

What you didn't know about Austria

1. Vienna is considered the most liveable city in the world. As of 2023, Vienna is the number one most liveable city according to the "Global Liveability Index". Vienna is also one of the greenest metropolises in the world. Over 53 per cent of the city area consists of parks and green spaces!
2. The Europe's highest waterfall can be found in Austria. With a height of 380 metres, the Krimml waterfall is a spectacular attraction that you shouldn't miss.
3. Land of the famous classical composers. Schubert, Bruckner, Mozart, Strass, Mahler - the list of musicians born in Austria is long. These musicians are commemorated in numerous museums, at music festivals and in the form of sweets (Mozartkugeln!).

Applying to study medicine in Austria

When applying for a place to study medicine at a public university, it is important that your documents are complete and that you pass the MedAT. You should prepare well for this. It is also important that you familiarise yourself with the different Application deadlines of the various universities. We'll help you prepare and make sure you don't lose sight of the application process!

Are you ready to realise your dream of studying medicine in Austria? Contact us today and start your journey with futureMBBS. We look forward to accompanying you on your journey and working with you to realise your dream of a career in medicine.