The University of Salzburg (Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, PLUS) is one of Austria’s oldest and most respected public universities and continuously attracts international students who are drawn to Austria’s low tuition costs, high quality education and Salzburg’s reputation as one of Europe’s most liveable small cities. This guide brings together the university’s own published guidance, as well as insights from international student communities who have been through the process, and answers all of those questions in one place, whether you’re researching how to apply, what qualifications you need as an international student, whether you can study medicine there and what it actually costs to live in Salzburg while studying. Before we go further, there is one important clarification that many students searching for this topic do not realise at first: the University of Salzburg itself does not offer a medicine program. Human Medicine in Salzburg is taught at a separate institution, the Paracelsus Medical University, commonly known as PMU. We explain this distinction fully further down, along with what international students interested in medicine in Salzburg actually need to do.
About the University of Salzburg (PLUS)
The University of Salzburg was founded in 1622 by Prince Archbishop Paris Lodron and is the largest higher education institution in the state of Salzburg with around 18,000 students and approximately 3,000 staff in research, teaching and administration. PLUS is a public university, supported by the Austrian state, and is particularly known for its strengths in the humanities, social sciences, law, natural sciences and theology. PLUS is at the heart of the cultural and academic life of a city internationally known as the birthplace of Mozart and for its role in “The Sound of Music.”
PLUS is divided into a number of faculties, including Theology, Law, Natural Sciences and the joint Faculty of Cultural and Social Sciences. PLUS offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes. Increasingly the master’s and doctoral programmes are being offered partially or entirely in English, in addition to the traditional German taught bachelor degrees.
Why International Students Choose Salzburg
- Low tuition costs: Austrian public universities charge only a modest fixed tuition fee to non-EU students, far below tuition levels in the UK, the US, or Australia, alongside free or near free tuition for EU and EEA citizens.
- High academic standards: As a centuries old public university, PLUS maintains strong academic accreditation and a research culture recognised across Europe.
- City of exceptional quality of life: Salzburg is consistently ranked among the safest and most liveable small cities in Europe, with a historic old town, easy access to the Alps, and a compact size that makes daily student life convenient without a car.
- Central European location: Salzburg sits close to Germany and within easy reach of Vienna, Munich, and northern Italy, making travel around Europe straightforward during study breaks.
- Growing English taught offering: While many bachelor's programs remain German taught, an increasing number of master's and doctoral programs are offered fully or partly in English, widening access for international applicants who have not yet reached fluency in German.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements for International Students
International applicants to bachelor's degree programs at the University of Salzburg generally need to prepare the following.
- A recognised secondary school leaving certificate: Equivalent to the Austrian Matura, this could be a high school diploma, A Levels, the International Baccalaureate, or another nationally recognised school leaving qualification, depending on the applicant's country of origin.
- Proof of language proficiency: Since the large majority of bachelor's programs at PLUS are taught in German, applicants generally need to demonstrate German proficiency, often at a B2 or C1 level, through a recognised test. Where a specific program is taught in English, English proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL, or an equivalent test is required instead.
- A completed application form: Submitted through the university's official application system within the relevant application window.
- Supporting documents: These commonly include certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates, a valid passport, a statement of purpose outlining academic interests, and in some cases letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors.
- Document legalisation: Because PLUS is a public Austrian institution operating under strict verification rules, all foreign certificates and confirmations generally need to be legalised in the country where they were issued, with authenticity of signatures and stamps then verified by the relevant Austrian embassy or consulate before the application can be finalised.
Applicants should be aware that qualification recognition and equivalency assessments can take time, and PLUS advises that overall application processing can take up to several months, particularly for applicants from countries where school leaving certificates require additional verification before they are accepted as equivalent to the Austrian Matura.
Postgraduate Admission Requirements for International Students
For master's and doctoral level study, the formal admission process at the University of Salzburg is administered centrally by the university's Office of Admissions, sometimes referred to as the Admissions Department.
- A relevant bachelor's degree: Applicants generally need a completed bachelor's degree, or its recognised equivalent, in a field relevant to the intended master's program.
- Language proficiency: Depending on whether the specific master's program is taught in German or English, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the relevant language, since PLUS increasingly offers select master's programs taught fully in English, particularly in fields such as the natural sciences.
- Academic documents: Certified and, where required, legalised transcripts and degree certificates, translated into German or English depending on the program's language of instruction.
- Application submission: International applicants submit their formal application for admission to the Office of Admissions, and after receiving an official document of admission, they can then proceed to enrol online in their chosen program.
- Doctoral applicants: PhD candidates typically also need to identify a proposed supervisor and outline a research proposal relevant to their intended doctoral field, alongside meeting the general academic and language requirements.
Because the admission process depends heavily on an applicant's nationality, prior education system, and the specific program applied for, PLUS strongly advises international applicants to begin the process as early as possible, since some steps, particularly document legalisation, are entirely outside the university's control and can take considerable time to complete.
Step by Step Application Procedure
- Choose your program and confirm its language of instruction. Decide whether you are applying for a German taught or English taught program, since this determines which language test you will need.
- Check your qualification equivalency. Confirm that your school leaving certificate or existing degree is recognised as equivalent to the relevant Austrian qualification for your intended level of study.
- Prepare and legalise your documents. Collect certified transcripts, certificates, and other required documents, and begin the legalisation process in your home country as early as possible, since this step often takes the longest.
- Sit your language proficiency test. Book your German or English test well ahead of your intended application deadline, as results can take several weeks to be issued.
- Submit your application. Complete and submit your formal application for admission through the university's official application channel within the relevant intake window.
- Wait for your admission decision. Processing can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months, depending on your nationality and the complexity of your documentation.
- Enrol once admitted. After receiving your official document of admission, complete your online enrolment in your chosen degree program.
- Apply for your student visa or residence permit. Non-EU and non-EEA applicants will need to apply for the relevant Austrian student visa or residence permit at their nearest Austrian embassy or consulate, using their admission document as supporting evidence.
- Arrange accommodation and health insurance. Since the university itself does not provide student housing, begin your accommodation search early, and arrange the health insurance required for your visa application.
Studying Medicine in Salzburg: An Important Clarification for International Students
Many prospective students searching for medicine at the University of Salzburg are surprised to learn that PLUS does not offer a Human Medicine program at all. Medical education in Salzburg is instead provided by a separate, independently accredited institution called the Paracelsus Medical University, widely known by its abbreviation PMU. PMU is a small, private, non-profit university established in 2002, with its main campus in Salzburg and an additional branch campus in Nuremberg, Germany.
If your primary goal is to study medicine in Salzburg, your application journey and admission requirements will follow PMU's process rather than the general PLUS process described above. Here is what international applicants need to know about admission to Human Medicine at PMU.
Academic Requirements
Applicants generally need a recognised secondary school diploma with strong results, particularly in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The program is highly selective given its very limited intake, with PMU's Human Medicine program offering around 135 enrolment places annually across its two campuses, split between roughly 80 places in Salzburg and 55 places in Nuremberg.
Entrance Examination and Interview
Selection at PMU is based on a written entrance examination assessing scientific reasoning and aptitude for medical study, followed by an interview for shortlisted candidates that evaluates motivation, communication skills, and suitability for a career in medicine. Applications for the Human Medicine program generally open on 15 November each year for entry the following academic year, so prospective applicants should plan their preparation and testing well ahead of this opening date.
Language Requirements
Because clinical training at PMU involves direct patient contact in Austria, a strong command of German is generally required, often to a C1 level or equivalent, even though some coursework and international components may involve English. Applicants should confirm the exact current language requirement directly with PMU's admissions office, since requirements can be reviewed between admission cycles.
Tuition Fees at PMU
As a private university, PMU charges considerably higher tuition than PLUS. Reported figures place annual tuition for the Human Medicine program in the range of roughly 12,000 to 15,000 euros per year for international students, though exact figures vary by intake year and applicants should always confirm current fees directly through PMU's official admissions channels rather than relying on older published estimates.
What This Means for Your Application Strategy
If medicine is your goal, treat your application to PMU as an entirely separate process from any application to PLUS. The two institutions have different admissions offices, different entrance requirements, different tuition structures, and different application timelines, even though both are based in the same city. Students who are unsure whether they want to commit to the intensive entrance exam and interview process for medicine sometimes choose to apply to a related health science, biomedical science, or pharmacy adjacent program at PLUS as a parallel option while preparing their PMU application.
Popular Programs at the University of Salzburg
The table below summarises some of the programs most frequently searched for by international students at PLUS, along with general information on level, language of instruction, and typical duration. Because PLUS updates its program language offering periodically, applicants should always confirm the current language of instruction for their intended program before applying.
| Program | Level | Typical Language of Instruction | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law | Bachelor and Master | German | 4 to 5 years combined |
| Psychology | Bachelor and Master | German | 3 years Bachelor, 2 years Master |
| Business Administration and Economics | Bachelor and Master | German, some English taught Master options | 3 years Bachelor, 2 years Master |
| Molecular Biology | Bachelor and Master | German, some English taught components | 3 years Bachelor, 2 years Master |
| Computer Science | Bachelor and Master | German, select English taught Master programs available | 3 years Bachelor, 2 years Master |
| Political Science | Bachelor and Master | German | 3 years Bachelor, 2 years Master |
| English and American Studies | Bachelor and Master | English and German | 3 years Bachelor, 2 years Master |
| Theology | Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate | German | Varies by degree level |
| Human Medicine (MD), offered at Paracelsus Medical University, not PLUS | Undergraduate direct entry medical degree | German, with some English components | 5 years |
Tuition Fees at the University of Salzburg
One of Austria's biggest advantages for international students is its low tuition structure at public universities. EU and EEA citizens generally study tuition free at PLUS, paying only a modest mandatory student union contribution each semester. Non-EU and non-EEA international students are charged a fixed tuition fee set by Austrian federal regulation, which remains dramatically lower than typical tuition at universities in the UK, the US, Canada, or Australia, alongside the same mandatory student union fee that all students pay regardless of nationality. Because this fixed fee and the student union contribution are reviewed periodically by Austrian authorities, prospective students should always confirm the current exact amount directly through PLUS's official admissions pages before finalising their financial planning.
Cost of Living in Salzburg: On Campus vs Off Campus
One detail that surprises many prospective applicants is that the University of Salzburg does not own or operate any student residence halls itself and does not have formal partnership agreements with private accommodation providers. This means there is no true "on campus" housing option in the way that some universities offer. Instead, international students generally choose between independent student dormitories, which function similarly to on campus housing in terms of price and community, and fully independent off campus private rentals.
Dormitory Style Accommodation (Functioning as On Campus Housing)
Several independent student dormitory operators run residence halls around Salzburg that many international and exchange students treat as their equivalent to on campus housing. Depending on the room type and dormitory, monthly costs typically range from around 265 to 480 euros, with an average around 320 to 400 euros per month for a single room including basic utilities. Most of these dormitories require an upfront deposit, often in the region of 900 euros, along with a modest monthly administration fee, and space fills quickly, so students are strongly advised to apply as early as possible, ideally as soon as they receive their admission offer.
Off Campus Private Accommodation
Students who prefer full independence, or who apply too late to secure a dormitory place, generally rent through the private market. A private one bedroom apartment in Salzburg typically costs between 670 and 800 euros per month, with prices rising the closer you are to the historic city centre. Students who prefer to share costs with flatmates in a shared apartment can expect to pay roughly 300 to 550 euros per month each, again depending on location and apartment size. Because Salzburg receives a high volume of exchange and international students each year, demand for both dormitory rooms and private rentals is strong, and students are advised to begin their search several months ahead of their intended start date.
Other Regular Living Costs in Salzburg
- Health insurance: Non-EU international students must arrange valid health insurance that meets Austrian visa requirements before their student visa or residence permit can be approved.
- Public transport: Salzburg has an efficient bus network, and many students purchase discounted student transport passes, making it easy to get around without a car.
- Groceries and daily expenses: Austria's cost of living for groceries and everyday essentials is broadly comparable to, or somewhat lower than, other major Western European countries, and students who cook at home rather than eating out regularly can manage on a modest weekly grocery budget.
- Study materials: Budget for textbooks, printing, and other study related materials each semester, particularly in the earlier years of a program.
- Mandatory student union fee: All students, regardless of nationality, pay a small mandatory student union contribution each semester alongside any applicable tuition fee.
Overall, students who secure a dormitory style room early tend to have the most predictable and manageable monthly budget, while those who arrive without pre-arranged accommodation should expect to spend more time, and potentially more money, securing suitable off campus housing once they arrive in Salzburg.
Application Deadlines for 2026 and the Path Ahead
Austrian public universities generally run two main intakes each year, a Winter Semester beginning in October and a Summer Semester beginning in March. As of the current date, the application window for the Winter Semester 2026/27 intake, which began teaching on 1 October 2026, has already closed for both EU and non-EU applicants, since non-EU applications for a winter start typically need to be submitted by around March of the same year, with EU and EEA applicants generally facing a later deadline around July.
Prospective international students reading this now should therefore plan around the following upcoming opportunities.
- Summer Semester 2027 (March 2027 start): Applications for this intake typically open around September 2026 and close around January 2027 for non-EU applicants, with EU and EEA applicants generally facing a later deadline closer to the start of the semester. Not all programs accept new students for a summer semester start, so confirm availability for your specific program.
- Winter Semester 2027/28 (October 2027 start): This remains the primary intake for most bachelor's and many master's programs, with non-EU applications generally expected by around March 2027, and EU and EEA applications generally accepted until around July 2027.
- Paracelsus Medical University Human Medicine intake: Applications for entry in the following academic year typically open on 15 November each year, meaning applicants targeting a future intake should begin preparing well before this date to allow time for entrance exam preparation.
Because exact deadlines can shift slightly from year to year and vary by applicant nationality and prior education system, always confirm the current, precise deadline for your specific program directly on the university's official admissions pages before finalising your application timeline.
How to Apply and Get Started
Once you have confirmed your intended program, checked your qualification equivalency, and begun preparing your documents, you can start your general degree application through the University of Salzburg's international degree seeking student information portal. If your goal is specifically to study medicine in Salzburg, you will need to apply separately through the Paracelsus Medical University Human Medicine admissions page, since this program is not part of the University of Salzburg's own application system.
Things to do for a Smooth Application
- Start the document legalisation process as early as possible, since this step is outside the university's control and can take considerably longer than the rest of your application combined.
- Confirm the language of instruction for your specific program before booking a language test, so you do not waste time and money preparing for the wrong language requirement.
- If applying to PMU for medicine, begin preparing for the entrance exam well before the 15 November application opening, since competition for the limited annual places is intense.
- Apply for dormitory style accommodation as soon as you receive your admission offer, since rooms fill quickly, particularly ahead of the October intake.
- Keep a close eye on your specific nationality's visa processing times, and apply for your student visa as soon as your admission document is issued, since processing times vary considerably by country.
- Reach out to the university's International Relations Office directly if any part of the process is unclear, since admission requirements can vary by individual circumstance, prior education system, and program.
Is the University of Salzburg Right for You
The University of Salzburg offers international students a genuinely appealing combination of low tuition costs, strong academic tradition, and life in one of Europe's most beautiful and liveable small cities. Students drawn to the humanities, law, natural sciences, or social sciences will find a well established academic environment with a growing number of English taught options at master's level. Students whose goal is specifically to study medicine should understand from the outset that this path runs through the separate Paracelsus Medical University rather than through PLUS itself, and should plan their entrance exam preparation and application timeline accordingly. For nearly all applicants, success comes down to starting the document legalisation and language preparation process early, since these steps, rather than the core academic requirements themselves, are usually what determine how smoothly the overall application goes.
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Salzburg Admission and Cost of Living
Does the University of Salzburg offer a medicine program?
No. The University of Salzburg, or PLUS, does not offer Human Medicine. Medical education in Salzburg is provided by a separate institution, the Paracelsus Medical University, which has its own admissions process, entrance exam, and tuition structure.
Does the University of Salzburg provide on campus student housing?
No. The university does not own or operate student residence halls. International students generally choose between independent dormitory style housing, which functions similarly to on campus accommodation, or fully independent private rentals off campus.
Is tuition free for international students at the University of Salzburg?
Tuition is generally free for EU and EEA citizens, aside from a small mandatory student union contribution. Non-EU international students pay a fixed tuition fee set by Austrian regulation, which remains low compared to many other study destinations, alongside the same student union fee.
What language do I need to study at the University of Salzburg?
Most bachelor's programs are taught in German, generally requiring proficiency around a B2 or C1 level, while a growing number of master's and doctoral programs are offered fully or partly in English, in which case English proficiency through a recognised test is required instead.