Montanuniversität Leoben: Tuition, English Programs & Deadlines (2027)

Montanuniversität Leoben charges third-country students €726.72 tuition plus €26.20 ÖH fee per semester for the academic year 2026/27. Citizens of least developed countries, Afghanistan included, are exempt from tuition and pay only the ÖH fee, which includes insurance.

Leoben is a small technical university specialised in mining, materials, energy and circular economy. It is one of the few places in Austria with English-taught engineering bachelor's, and its English entry level (B2, IELTS 6.0) is lower than at many other universities. Here is how it works for non-EU applicants.

Why Leoben is good value

• Low public fee with the 2026/27 amount confirmed, and a full tuition exemption for least developed countries.
• English bachelor's in engineering: Circular Engineering, Geoenergy Engineering, and Responsible Consumption and Production.
• Accessible English level: B2 with IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80, Duolingo 110 or PTE 59.
• No application fee is mentioned on the official application pages.
• Specialist fields that few universities teach in English, such as Mining and Tunnelling, Petroleum Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering.
• Doctoral applications all year.

Tuition and fees

Industrial scholarships and awards are listed for current students. For national funding options, see our scholarships in Austria guide. For a full budget, read cost of studying in Austria.

English-taught programs

Bachelor's

• Circular Engineering (3.5 years incl. a practice semester, 210 ECTS)
• Geoenergy Engineering (3 years)
• Responsible Consumption and Production (EURECA-PRO, 3.5 years, 210 ECTS)

Master's (2 years, 120 ECTS)

• Materials: Materials Science, Polymer Science and Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Advanced Materials Science and Engineering (AMASE, joint), Sustainable Materials (SUMA, joint), Building Materials and Ceramics (joint)
• Energy and resources: Geoenergy Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Petroleum Engineering – Joint International Master (JIMP), Raw Materials Engineering, Mining and Tunnelling, Advanced Mineral Resources Development (joint), Applied Geosciences, Applied and Exploration Geophysics (joint)
• Circular economy and management: Circular Engineering, New Science and Technology (EURECA-PRO), Sustainable Mineral and Metal Processing Engineering (joint), Industrial Management and Business Administration
• Data and safety: Industrial Data Science, Safety and Disaster Management

See the full list on the graduate studies page and compare with other universities in English-taught programs in Austria.

Admission requirements

• Bachelor's: a recognised school-leaving certificate giving general university entrance, checked case by case after a complete online application. Some programs need descriptive geometry, which can be made up as a supplementary exam.
• Qualification Test for English bachelor's: online self-assessment, motivation video and online interview.
• Master's: a relevant bachelor's; an equivalence check may impose supplementary exams. Applications go by email to the master's application address.
• English B2: IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 (new TOEFL from 21 January 2026: 4), Cambridge FCE/CAE 160, Duolingo 110, PTE 59, or two years of English-taught higher education. Certificates max. two years old.
• Joint programs (AMASE, SUMA, AMRD, IMAGE, BMC, JIMP, PROMISE) have their own selection procedures and deadlines.
• Doctorate: relevant master's, an agreed supervisor, mentor, working title and a curriculum of at least 20 ECTS; English B2 for the English PhD.

After a positive pre-check, you post your original documents; the admission letter is issued once originals are verified. See Austria university admission requirements.

Deadlines

Applying from Afghanistan

Afghan citizens pay only the ÖH fee at Leoben. Leoben says Afghan certificates need full diplomatic legalisation (Afghanistan is not an Apostille member): first by Afghan authorities, then by the Austrian embassy or consulate, plus a sworn translation into German or English. The Austrian Embassy in Islamabad states that since 1 January 2013 it cannot legalise Afghan documents, so ask Leoben's Study Support Center in writing how they handle this. See our documents and legalisation guide.

Living costs and the residence permit

OeAD estimates average student living costs at about €1,300 per month, and says Vienna and larger cities are more expensive. For the Residence Permit – Student in 2026 you must prove €722.58 per month under 24 or €1,308.39 per month from 24, for 12 months. Read our Austria student visa guide.

Who Leoben suits best

Leoben is a strong match if your background is in petroleum, mining, geology, chemical, mechanical or materials engineering, and you want to stay in that field. It is a weaker match if you are still unsure about your direction, because the program list is narrow. If your English is B2 but not C1, Leoben is one of the more accessible Austrian options for technical study in English.

Mistakes to avoid

• Applying to a joint master's through the regular window: AMASE, SUMA, AMRD, IMAGE, BMC, JIMP and PROMISE have their own selection and deadlines.
• Sending incomplete school certificates: Leoben asks for the complete, duly certified certificate, all pages.
• Using an old test score: English certificates may be at most two years old.
• Skipping the Qualification Test: it is mandatory for the English bachelor's, not optional.
• Contacting a supervisor too late: doctoral applicants must agree a supervisor, mentor and working title before applying.

Honest pros and cons

How to apply step by step

1. 1

   Choose your program

   Check whether it is a regular or a joint program with its own selection.

2. 2

   Pre-register online

   Create your account in MUonline and complete the online application.

3. 3

   Take the Qualification Test (bachelor's)

   Complete the self-assessment, motivation video and online interview.

4. 4

   Send originals after the pre-check

   Post your legalised, translated documents; admission follows once originals are verified.

5. 5

   Apply for your residence permit

   Book an appointment at the Austrian embassy responsible for your country as soon as you are admitted.