Guide to studying in Vienna: Top universities and student life

Vienna might be famous for imperial palaces, classical music, and coffee houses, but there's another side to the Austrian capital that you'll quickly discover if you move here to study.

The city is home to around 190,000 students and roughly 20 universities, creating a large and diverse academic community. Add excellent public transport, an international population, plenty of green space, and a location that makes exploring Europe easy, and it's not difficult to see why Vienna appeals to students from overseas.

Whether you're considering a semester abroad or looking for somewhere to complete your entire degree, here's what you need to know about studying and enjoying student life in Vienna.

Why study in Vienna?

Vienna offers something many students want from their university experience: the opportunities of a major European capital without feeling overwhelmingly hectic.

There are plenty of reasons international students choose Vienna, including:

• A wide choice of universities and subjects, from medicine and engineering to business, music, and the arts
• A high quality of life, combining everything you'd expect from a European capital with abundant parks and outdoor spaces
• Excellent public transport, making it easy to travel between home, university, and different parts of the city
• A large international community, so you'll be joining students from across Europe and further afield
• Plenty to do outside university, with museums, galleries, live music, nightlife, cafés, and the Danube all part of city life

Top universities in Vienna

With institutions covering everything from medicine and engineering to business and the arts, choosing where to study will depend largely on your subject and the university experience you're looking for.

University of Vienna

Founded in 1365, the University of Vienna is Austria's oldest university and one of Europe's largest. Its broad academic offering makes it an option for students across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and numerous other fields.

Rather than occupying a single enclosed campus, its faculties and facilities are spread across Vienna. That means the city itself can quickly become part of your university routine. District Living is only a 34-minute cycle or 28-minute bus journey away, making it a convenient accommodation option for students studying at the University of Vienna.

TU Wien

If you're interested in technology, engineering, or natural sciences, TU Wien is one of Vienna’s major institutions. It combines education with a strong emphasis on research and innovation and attracts a significant international student population.

Its central Vienna location also means students can enjoy city life alongside their studies.

Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU)

The striking modern campus at Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) offers a very different environment from some of Vienna's historic university buildings, bringing lecture spaces, study areas, and places to socialise together in one dedicated setting.

For students hoping to build an international career in business or economics, its specialist focus and international outlook make it well worth exploring.

Located in Vienna's 2nd district, WU Vienna is also conveniently close to District Living. Residents can reach the campus easily by public transport or bicycle, making it simple to get to lectures while enjoying the benefits of living near the Danube and Donau City.

Medical University of Vienna

The Medical University of Vienna is one of the city's main destinations for students pursuing medicine and medical research.

Its specialist academic environment combines education, research, and clinical work, making university life here somewhat different from studying at one of Vienna's larger multidisciplinary institutions.

Universities for art, music and creative subjects

Vienna's artistic reputation isn't confined to its museums and concert halls. For creative students, studying in Vienna means having centuries of artistic and musical culture beyond campus to draw inspiration from.

The University of Applied Arts Vienna offers programmes spanning creative disciplines such as art, design, and architecture, while the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna specialises in music and performance.

Other institutions worth exploring include:

• University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU)
• Central European University
• Webster Vienna Private University
• Vienna's various universities of applied sciences

What is studying in Vienna like for international students?

Your experience as an international student in Vienna will vary considerably between courses and universities, so it's important to look beyond the university's name when researching your options.

Before applying, check:

1. Which language your course is taught in: Many bachelor's programmes at Austrian public universities are taught in German, although master's programmes offer more English-language options.
2. The language requirements: You may need to provide evidence of proficiency in German or English with your application. Even if your degree is entirely in English, learning some German is worthwhile.
3. Entry and application requirements: These can differ between universities, programmes and applicants from different countries.
4. How your course is structured: Look at teaching formats, assessment methods, semester dates, and any practical or placement requirements.

What is student life in Vienna like?

There's no single way to experience student life here.

You might spend one afternoon working in a university library and the next revising over coffee. After lectures, you can explore parks, visit museums and galleries, and find countless places to eat and drink. When summer arrives, outdoor spaces around the Danube become another place to meet friends and unwind.

Vienna's café culture is particularly suited to student life. Traditional coffee houses sit alongside contemporary cafés, giving you plenty of alternatives when you need a change from your desk or university library.

Your accommodation can become part of that lifestyle, too. At District Living, residents have access to a dedicated study room for more focused work, alongside communal spaces designed for relaxing and meeting other residents.

Meeting people and finding your student community

Moving abroad can feel daunting when you don't know anyone in your new city. Vienna's large, international student population can make those first introductions easier.

There are plenty of ways to start meeting people, including:

• University orientation programmes
• Student clubs and societies
• Erasmus and international student activities
• University sports and fitness groups
• Events organised by your course or faculty
• Social activities where you live

You don't need to establish your friendship group immediately. Often it's the people you repeatedly meet at lectures, activities and around your accommodation who gradually become your closest friends.

District Living offers another ready-made community for students outside university. Residents can meet through organised social activities and fitness sessions or simply spend time together in communal areas such as District Coffee and the games room.

That combination of university and residential communities can be particularly valuable when you've arrived in Vienna from another country.

Things to do in Vienna between lectures

You could spend years studying in Vienna and still have somewhere new to discover. When you have an afternoon or weekend free, you could:

• Explore the museums and galleries around the MuseumsQuartier
• Experience Vienna's music scene, from opera and classical concerts to contemporary gigs
• Find a favourite coffee house or try somewhere new with friends
• Walk, run, or cycle beside the Danube
• Head to one of Vienna's parks when you need a break from studying
• Follow the hiking trails on the outskirts of the city
• Explore a different neighbourhood and see another side of Vienna

Living at District Living puts the Danube and the recreational spaces around Donau City close to home, so getting outside doesn't have to involve travelling across Vienna.

Getting around Vienna as a student

You don't need a car to make the most of the city.

Vienna's public transport system brings together several ways of getting around:

• U-Bahn: Useful for quickly travelling between different areas of Vienna.
• Trams: An easy way to navigate many central and residential neighbourhoods.
• Buses: Filling in gaps across the wider public transport network.
• S-Bahn: Useful for longer journeys around Vienna and beyond the city centre.

Cycling and walking can also become part of your routine, particularly when you're exploring your local area rather than crossing the city.

Finding student accommodation in Vienna

Unlike universities where accommodation is automatically assigned, finding somewhere to live in Vienna is generally something you'll need to organise yourself. Starting your search early gives you more time to compare neighbourhoods, transport links, and different styles of accommodation.

When comparing your options, think about the practicalities of everyday student life as well as the apartment itself. Some useful questions to ask include:

• How easy is the journey to my university?
• Is the apartment furnished?
• Are Wi-Fi and utilities included?
• Are laundry facilities available?
• Is there somewhere quiet to study?
• Are there shared spaces where I can relax or meet other students?
• Will everything be ready when I arrive?

These details can be particularly important if you're moving internationally and don't want your first few days in Vienna to be spent buying furniture or arranging utilities.

District Living offers modern, fully furnished student apartments with Wi-Fi, heating and utilities included, helping to keep the practical side of moving straightforward. Residents can also use the building's shared amenities and take part in its events programme.

Virtual tours are available alongside in-person viewings, so you can explore your accommodation options even if you're moving from another country.

Start your student life in Vienna with District Living

Studying in Vienna is an opportunity to make one of Europe's great university cities your home. Between lectures and deadlines, you'll have new neighbourhoods to explore, people to meet, cafés to discover, and perhaps even a few European adventures to fit into your weekends.

Finding the right accommodation can help you make the most of it.

District Living's modern, fully furnished apartments combine private living spaces with places to study, exercise, relax, and meet other residents. With high-speed Wi-Fi, inclusive utilities, and an active community, many practical details are already taken care of before you arrive.

Planning to study in Vienna? Explore District Living's student-friendly apartments, or contact the team to find the right home for your university experience.