Why Study Engineering in Austria
- Public Austrian universities charge little to no tuition fees for many programs, and several scholarships waive even the modest fees that do apply
- A wide range of master's programs in mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, environmental, and computer engineering are taught entirely in English
- Strong industry links with companies such as Siemens, Bosch, Andritz, and Voestalpine, useful for internships and post study employment
- A relatively affordable cost of living compared with cities like London, Zurich, or Paris
- A central European location, making travel across the continent easy during your studies
Major Fully Funded Scholarships for Engineering Master's Students in Austria
1. The Ernst Mach Grant (OeAD)
The Ernst Mach Grant is the flagship scholarship program administered by OeAD, the Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation, on behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. It is specifically designed for non-European students, including engineering applicants, and is one of the most accessible fully funded routes into an Austrian master's or research program.
- What it covers: a monthly stipend of around 1,050 euros for master's level grant holders, health insurance, and in most cases a waiver of tuition fees at public Austrian universities.
- Duration: grants typically run for four to ten months, and in most cases cannot be extended or awarded twice to the same student.
- Who it is for: master's and PhD level students from outside the European Union or European Economic Area, in any field of study including engineering, who have secured an invitation or acceptance from an Austrian host university or professor.
- How to apply: applications are submitted through the OeAD online scholarship portal, and you generally need a letter of acceptance or supervision confirmation from your intended Austrian university or professor before applying.
2. University Specific Merit Scholarships at TU Wien
TU Wien, Austria's largest technical university, offers several funding streams for outstanding students, some of which are open to international engineering master's students.
- Merit scholarships: awarded to students with outstanding academic performance, generally based on ECTS credit progress and weighted grade point average, with awards typically ranging from about 750 to 1,500 euros.
- Funding grants: support for scientific or artistic work connected to a diploma thesis or dissertation, ranging from roughly 750 to 3,600 euros depending on the faculty.
- Field specific awards: some programs, such as the Environmental Technology and International Affairs master's degree, offer dedicated scholarships aimed at students committed to sustainability focused engineering careers.
These awards are usually applied for through your faculty's Dean's Office once you are already enrolled, so they work well as a top up alongside a larger scholarship such as the Ernst Mach Grant.
3. University Specific Scholarships at TU Graz
TU Graz, Austria's second largest technical university, also supports both national and international students through several channels.
- Merit based scholarships: announced by each faculty once a year for students with above average academic performance, typically worth 750 to 1,500 euros.
- Thesis support grants: funding of 750 to 3,600 euros twice a year for students working on a master's or doctoral thesis.
- ÖGG Scholarship: a subject specific scholarship offered through the Austrian Society for Geomechanics for students pursuing a master's degree at TU Graz in Geotechnical and Hydraulic Engineering, worth up to 17,600 euros paid over the course of the program, along with academic mentoring.
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
Several Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree programs, funded by the European Union, include Austrian universities as consortium partners and are open to engineering students from any country in the world. These fully funded scholarships typically cover tuition, a monthly living allowance, travel costs, and insurance for the full duration of a two year joint master's program delivered across two or more European countries, one of which may be Austria.
Because Erasmus Mundus scholarships are awarded per program rather than per country, engineering applicants interested in studying partly in Austria should search for joint master's programs in their specific engineering discipline that list an Austrian university among the partner institutions.
5. Austrian Development Cooperation and Regional Scholarship Programs
Beyond the main OeAD and university administered funding, Austria also offers scholarship strands aimed at students from specific developing regions, often channelled through OeAD's wider scholarship database. These programs vary from year to year in terms of eligible countries and available fields of study, so engineering applicants should check the current call for applications before assuming eligibility.
Comparison of Austria's Fully Funded Engineering Master's Scholarships
The table below summarises the main scholarship routes covered in this guide. Always confirm the exact current deadline and terms on the official scholarship website before applying, since amounts and eligible countries can change slightly year to year.
| Scholarship Program | Typical Coverage | Who It Is For | Typical Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ernst Mach Grant (OeAD) | Monthly stipend, health insurance, tuition waiver | Non-EU/EEA master's and PhD students in any field, including engineering | Around 1 February each year |
| TU Wien Merit Scholarship | 750 to 1,500 euros based on academic performance | Enrolled students, including international engineering master's students | Varies by faculty, generally once per academic year |
| TU Graz Merit Scholarship | 750 to 1,500 euros based on academic performance | Enrolled students, including international engineering master's students | Varies by faculty, generally once per academic year |
| ÖGG Scholarship (TU Graz) | Up to 17,600 euros over the program, plus mentoring | Master's students in Geotechnical and Hydraulic Engineering at TU Graz | Check current call on the ÖGG and TU Graz websites |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees | Tuition, monthly allowance, travel, insurance | International students in engineering programs with an Austrian partner university | Varies by program, generally October to January |
General Eligibility Criteria for Austrian Engineering Scholarships
While each scholarship has its own precise requirements, most fully funded Austrian master's scholarships for international engineering students share a common set of eligibility expectations.
- Academic qualification: a completed bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, or a closely related technical field, that qualifies you for entry to a master's program at an Austrian university.
- Academic performance: most scholarship providers expect strong grades, often placing successful applicants in the top portion of their graduating class.
- Nationality: the Ernst Mach Grant and several other OeAD programs specifically target students from outside the European Union and European Economic Area, while Erasmus Mundus scholarships are generally open to applicants of any nationality.
- Language requirement: German is not always required, since many engineering master's programs in Austria, particularly at TU Wien and TU Graz, are taught fully in English. However, basic German is useful for daily life, and some programs may still ask for a language certificate.
- University acceptance or supervision confirmation: several scholarships, including the Ernst Mach Grant, require you to have already secured an acceptance letter or a confirmation of supervision from an Austrian university before you can submit your scholarship application.
- No prior study in Austria: some grants specify that you must not have studied or conducted research in Austria for a set period before the grant begins.
Documents You Will Typically Need
- A valid international passport
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates, translated into English or German if issued in another language
- A letter of acceptance or a confirmation of supervision from your intended Austrian university or professor
- A motivation letter or statement outlining your research or study interests in engineering
- Academic reference letters, usually from professors familiar with your engineering coursework or research
- A CV or resume detailing your academic and any relevant technical or research experience
- Proof of English or German language proficiency where required by your specific program
General Application Procedure
Although each scholarship has its own online system, the overall process for applying to a fully funded Austrian engineering master's scholarship generally follows these steps.
- Choose your engineering field and target university. Decide whether you want to study at TU Wien, TU Graz, Montanuniversität Leoben, Johannes Kepler University Linz, or another Austrian institution offering your preferred engineering specialisation.
- Apply for admission to your chosen master's program. Submit your academic transcripts, degree certificate, and any required language test results directly to the university's admissions office.
- Secure an acceptance letter or supervision confirmation. Many scholarships, particularly the Ernst Mach Grant, require this document before you can begin your scholarship application.
- Register on the relevant scholarship portal. For OeAD administered grants, this means creating an account on the official OeAD scholarship application system.
- Complete the online scholarship application. Upload your motivation letter, academic documents, reference letters, and acceptance or supervision confirmation before the stated deadline.
- Submit before the deadline and avoid last minute technical issues. Application portals often experience heavy traffic close to the deadline, so submit a day or two early where possible.
- Wait for the evaluation outcome. Applications are typically reviewed by an independent panel of experts after the deadline closes, and successful applicants are notified by email.
- Arrange your student visa and travel. Once your scholarship and university place are confirmed, apply for the relevant Austrian student visa or residence permit well ahead of your intended start date.
When to Apply: Annual Timeline for Austrian Engineering Scholarships
Because Austrian scholarships and university intakes largely follow the European academic calendar, most application windows open several months before the academic year begins in the autumn.
- September to February: the main Ernst Mach Grant application window generally opens in September and closes around 1 February for study or research beginning in the following academic year, making this the most important overall deadline to track.
- October to January: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree programs with an Austrian partner university typically open their application cycles in this period, though exact dates vary by individual program.
- Throughout the academic year: university specific merit scholarships and thesis support grants at TU Wien and TU Graz are usually announced once or twice per academic year, generally after you are already enrolled, so keep checking your faculty's scholarship page once your studies begin.
- Variable, check current calls: subject specific awards such as the ÖGG Scholarship are announced periodically, so it is worth checking the relevant professional body or department page directly for the current application window.
As a general rule, engineering applicants should begin researching their preferred Austrian university and confirming admission requirements at least six months before their intended start date, since securing a university acceptance letter is often a prerequisite for the scholarship application itself.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Contact your prospective Austrian professor or department early, since a confirmed acceptance or supervision letter is often required before you can even begin a scholarship application.
- Highlight any hands on engineering project work, research experience, or technical publications in your motivation letter and CV.
- Request reference letters from professors who can speak specifically to your technical ability and readiness for postgraduate engineering study.
- Apply to more than one funding route where you are eligible, for example combining an Ernst Mach Grant application with interest in a relevant Erasmus Mundus program.
- Keep translated copies of every academic document ready in advance, since translation and certification can take time if left until close to a deadline.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for a scholarship before securing the required university acceptance or supervision letter, which can delay or invalidate your application.
- Assuming every Austrian scholarship is open to all nationalities, when several programs are specifically restricted to non-EU or non-EEA citizens.
- Submitting untranslated documents when the scholarship provider requires English or German translations alongside the originals.
- Waiting until the final days before the deadline to submit an online application, risking technical delays during high traffic periods.
- Overlooking smaller university specific or subject specific scholarships that can meaningfully reduce costs alongside a larger central grant.
Step by Step Summary
- Identify Austrian universities offering your specific engineering master's specialisation in English.
- Apply for admission and secure an acceptance letter or supervision confirmation.
- Research which scholarships you are eligible for based on your nationality and field of study.
- Register on the relevant scholarship portal, most commonly the OeAD scholarship system.
- Prepare your motivation letter, CV, transcripts, and reference letters well ahead of the deadline.
- Submit your scholarship application before the stated closing date.
- Respond promptly to any request for an interview or additional documents.
- Once confirmed, apply for your Austrian student visa or residence permit and arrange your travel.
Ready to explore current funding options? You can view open calls and start your application directly through the official OeAD Ernst Mach Grant application page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ernst Mach Grant fully funded?
Yes, for most non-EU applicants the Ernst Mach Grant covers a monthly stipend, health insurance, and generally a waiver of tuition fees at public Austrian universities, making it one of the most complete funding options for engineering master's students.
Do I need to know German to study engineering in Austria?
Not necessarily. Many engineering master's programs at universities such as TU Wien and TU Graz are taught entirely in English, though learning basic German is useful for daily life and can help with integration during your studies.
Can I combine an Ernst Mach Grant with another scholarship?
Generally, recipients of a full Ernst Mach Grant cannot simultaneously hold another OeAD scholarship, though university specific merit scholarships from your faculty may sometimes be combined, so it is important to check the specific terms of each award before applying to more than one.
Do I need a university acceptance letter before applying for a scholarship?
Yes, in most cases. Scholarships such as the Ernst Mach Grant typically require a confirmed acceptance letter or a written confirmation of academic supervision from an Austrian university before you can submit your scholarship application.
What is the main deadline for Austrian government scholarships?
Most OeAD administered scholarships, including the Ernst Mach Grant, follow an application deadline around 1 February each year for study or research beginning in the following academic year, though it is important to confirm the exact date for the current cycle.
Are Erasmus Mundus scholarships open to all nationalities?
Yes. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree scholarships are generally open to engineering applicants from any country, provided the specific joint program includes an Austrian partner university and matches your field of study.
Can international students work part time while on an Austrian scholarship?
In many cases, non-EU and non-EEA students are permitted to work part time, often up to a set number of hours per week during the semester, though the scholarship stipend is generally designed to cover core living costs on its own.
How competitive are fully funded Austrian engineering scholarships?
These scholarships are highly competitive, since they attract strong applicants from around the world, so a solid academic record, a clear motivation letter, and in some cases a confirmed research supervisor are all important parts of a successful application.