University of Klagenfurt: Tuition, English Programs & How to Apply (2027)

The University of Klagenfurt (AAU) charges third-country nationals €726.72 tuition plus €26.20 ÖH fee per semester, which is €752.92 in total. Students from Least Developed Countries, as defined by the OECD DAC list, can study without paying tuition.

AAU is one of the few Austrian public universities where you can take a full bachelor's in English, including Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. The trade-off is a strict paper application with short non-EU windows. Here is what it costs, what you can study, who qualifies, and when to apply, with every date labelled by academic year.

Why Klagenfurt is good value

• English from the first year: six bachelor's programs taught in English.
• Low public fee of €752.92 per semester including the ÖH fee, and no tuition for Least Developed Countries.
• Reward for good grades: third-country students can apply for reimbursement of tuition fees for outstanding academic achievement, under a Rectorate directive.
• No general application fee: only programs with a special admission procedure charge €50 (2026/27).
• Smaller city than Vienna or Graz, which can make settling in easier, although housing still needs early planning.

Tuition and fees

The VFS check applies to applicants educated in Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Türkiye. Our fact pack records Afghanistan as covered by the LDC exemption; AAU's fee page refers to the OECD DAC list without naming countries, so confirm with AAU. More in cost of studying in Austria.

English-taught programs

Bachelor's (3 years, 180 ECTS)

• Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (BSc)
• Information and Communications Engineering (BSc)
• International Business and Economics (BSc), with special admission if there are more than 50 applicants
• Digital Media, Culture, and Communication (BA)
• Social Sciences (BA)
• Worlds of English (BA)

Master's (2 years, 120 ECTS)

• Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity (MSc)
• Informatics, Information and Communications Engineering, Mathematics (Dipl.-Ing.)
• Information Management (MSc); Management, Economics, and Data Science (MSc)
• International Management (MSc); Media and Convergence Management (MSc)
• Game Studies and Engineering (MSc/MA); Worlds of English (MA)

AAU also has four thematic doctoral programs. Compare with other universities in English-taught programs in Austria.

Admission requirements

• Bachelor's: a foreign school-leaving certificate equivalent to the Austrian Matura; supplementary exams may be prescribed.
• Master's: a relevant completed bachelor's; program prerequisites are in the Master Access Guide. No fixed GPA.
• English B2 at application: IELTS 6.5 with at least 6 in each band, TOEFL iBT 87 or Cambridge B2 First. C1 for Worlds of English (MA), Game Studies and Engineering, International Management, and Media and Convergence Management.
• Documents: signed form, passport copy, notarised copies or originals of your certificates (legalised and translated), English proof. Simple copies are not processed.
• Doctorate: master's or diploma degree and a provisional supervision confirmation from an AAU professor.

Deadlines

Applying from Afghanistan

AAU states that bachelor's admission is not possible on the basis of a school-leaving certificate from Afghanistan (or Bangladesh). Applicants who have completed a degree program of at least four years are reviewed individually. Afghan documents must be legalised; because the Austrian Embassy in Islamabad cannot legalise Afghan documents since 1 January 2013, ask AAU in writing which route it accepts. See our documents and legalisation guide.

Scholarships and fee help

Besides the LDC exemption, AAU lets third-country students apply for reimbursement of tuition fees for outstanding academic achievement. The university publishes the Rectorate directive and an application form on its fees page; eligibility details are in that directive, so read it before you count on a refund. AAU also mentions doctoral dissertation scholarships and mentoring programs. For national options, search grants.at and read our scholarships in Austria guide.

Living costs and the residence permit

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

Mistakes to avoid

• Sending simple photocopies: AAU does not process them; use notarised copies or originals.
• Missing the one-month summer window: 1 to 30 November 2026 is the only chance for the summer semester 2027.
• Leaving the VFS check too late: it must be done before you apply if you were educated in a listed country.
• Choosing a special-admission program for spring: those programs admit only for the winter semester.

Honest pros and cons

How to apply step by step

1. 1

   Choose your program

   Check AAU's degree programmes in English.

2. 2

   Do the VFS check if required

   Needed first if you were educated in one of the listed countries.

3. 3

   Prepare notarised, legalised documents

   Include sworn translations and your English certificate (no older than two years).

4. 4

   Post or deliver the application

   Follow the application instructions so the file arrives inside the non-EU period.

5. 5

   Start the residence permit

   Book your embassy appointment as soon as the admission letter arrives.

6. 6

   Enrol in Klagenfurt

   Enrol within the admission period and register your address after arrival.