Study In Austria: Language & Culture - Education Abroad

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Study in Austria: Language & CultureAug 14, 2025

• Study Abroad in Austria

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• The Austrian culture
• Austrian food culture
• Austrian national language

The Austrian culture

Austrian culture is recognized for its rich past and present, as well as its safety and high standards of living. Vienna has been voted for multiple years as one of the top places to live on earth.

Generally, Austrians love spending quality time with family, exploring nature, and practicing sports. They also value and highly respect their musical and art history and heritage. 

Vienna has been named the music capital of Europe. It's home to world-class music schools and orchestras, such as the Vienna Philharmonic or Camerata Academica Salzburg, and composers like Mozart, Schubert, and Strauss.

Austria has always been a hub for art and creativity and is considered the heart of European art history.

💡Facts about Austria

   

• Austria was inhabited by the Celts and then conquered by the Romans.
• The Habsburg Empire, Austria's most famous house and a prominent European dynasty, ruled from the 13th century until WWI. Their reign significantly shaped Austrian culture.
• The Austrian flag is among the oldest in the world, dating back to 1191.

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Austrian food culture

Austrian food culture is shaped by a mix of national traditions and influences from neighboring countries. Meat dishes, especially pork, beef, chicken, and goose, are common, and the famous Wiener Schnitzel is a national favorite.

Here are some more facts about Austrian cuisine and dining habits:

• Breakfasts are usually light, while lunch and dinner tend to be more substantial.
• Heurigers, traditional wine taverns, serve only the newest wine and are popular for family evenings.
• Pastry culture is strong, with konditoreien (pastry cafés) offering desserts (mehlspeisen) like Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel.
• Coffee houses (Wiener Kaffeehaus) are central to daily life and are often paired with cake or rich hot chocolate.
• Beer culture is also notable, with Austrians drinking around 106 liters per person each year.

This combination of hearty meals, famous desserts, and beloved drinks reflects Austria's rich culinary heritage.

Austrian national language

The Austrian national language is German, or more precisely, Austrian German (Österreichisches Deutsch), which is a variety of standard German.

Although most people believe that German and Austrian are exactly the same, the truth is that there are many differences between standard German and the Austrian national language.

If you're interested, a linguistics fan, and want to be fluent in Austrian German, then the official Austrian dictionary, das Österreichische Wörterbuch, provides all the grammatical, syntax, and spelling rules you need to know.

💡 If you want to impress your future Austrian friends, then you can also consider studying the Austrian dialect before your arrival.

The Austrian Institute, or Österreich Institute, provides Austrian-German language courses with the possibility to gain your ÖSD-Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch, the Austrian German Language Diploma, upon the completion of the language level you choose to study. 

Study in Austria - Overview

Over 60,000 international students choose Austria as their study abroad destination every year. Click here to learn why.

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Student Visas

Do you need a visa to enter Austria to study? Learn more about the student visa process, and what you need to enter the country, depending on your citizen status. You will also be required to bring certain documents with you to passport control at the airport, which we cover as well.

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Education System

Want to learn about how the higher education system works in Austria? Austria is one of the popular destinations for a variety of students, given its diverse programs. Take a minute to find out more about the structure of the education system in Austria!

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Housing & Living Costs

No matter where you study abroad, it’s important to create a budget in advance so that you’re prepared. Therefore, we’ve detailed average living and housing costs so that you can get a better idea of what you would be paying as a student in Austria.

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Tuition Fees & Scholarships

Tuition fees for degree programs in Austria may vary. To cover the rest of the costs, there're some scholarship opportunities available.

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Application Process

All countries have specific admissions requirements for students to gain acceptance into a university. Learn more about the ins and outs of admission to programs in Austria, and what you need to apply, depending on your citizenship.

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Programs

Ready to look at education in Austria? Use our search engine to find and compare top programs in Austria today!

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The content of this Study in Austria guide has been developed by OeAD - Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research.

About OeAD

OeAD is Austria’s leading non-profit-making service organization in the field of international cooperation in education and research. The activities of the OeAD embrace general, academic, and vocational education with – historically grown – specific focus on academic mobility.

Page Content

• The Austrian culture
• Austrian food culture
• Austrian national language

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