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Distance LearningYour online studies in Austria
Find out everything you need to know about admission, recognition, financing and Austrian specifics.
Become an academic – with your online study programme in Austria
Studying online at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) means choosing a study concept that gives you freedom – the freedom to make your dream of growth come true without compromise . There’s no need to move or make your life fit predetermined structures.
We really want to get you ahead – no matter whether you live in the countryside or in the middle of the city, whether you’re working or travelling, taking care of a family or focusing on yourself. Our online study programme is an academic education that is state-approved and accessible from anywhere. For you and your goals.
6 reasons for choosing our online study programmes in Austria
State-approved
We stand for high-level education across borders – state-approved, accredited and multi-award-winning.
Innovative study concept
Use our digital, innovative tools to study whenever, wherever and however you feel like.
Flexible time models
Benefit from our selection of full- and part-time models – including semesters of leave and free extension.
Study without your Matura
You can also qualify thanks to your vocational training or professional experience.
Austrian study contents
In many study programmes, we offer you courses in accordance with Austrian law.
Save time & money
Get prior experience recognised, for example your vocational training, university courses or professional experience.
Take your exams online or on location
You can take your exams online 24/7 or choose the more traditional route and sit your exams on location at a nearby testing centre.
Start your online study programme – with or without your Matura
Matura or
Master craftsman’s certificate or
(vocational) diploma or
At least two years of vocational training followed by at least 3 years of full-time professional experience*or
Passed university entrance examination**
* Depending on what you want to study and what your vocational training and professional experience focused on, you can start a trial study phase or deliver other proof of your aptitude.
** The university entrance examination allows you restricted admission to the degree programme of your choice, provided you have relevant prior education and are at least 20 years old. Detailed information about the university entrance examination can be found here.
Completed undergraduate degree (at least 180 ECTS) from a state-approved university / university of applied sciences
Final grade: at least “satisfactory”
Additional requirements depending on the master’s programme
Master’s for people with professional experience
Don’t have a bachelor’s degree, but do have many years of experience as a manager or expert? This is your chance to get a master’s degree – even without an undergraduate degree.
Is your online degree recognised in Austria?
All study programmes at IU are state-approved and accredited. This means they have passed quality control for study programmes from the German Accreditation Council and the FIBAA (Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation).
In addition, our online study programmes have been admitted by the ZFU (Staatliche Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht). Find out more about our internal and external quality standards here.
The majority of professions is not regulated in Austria. If you have a degree from a state-approved university or university of applied sciences, you are ready for the Austrian job market.
There are some exceptions of professions that are regulated. These include jobs in the health sector (e. g. dietologist, physiotherapist), some jobs in education or social work (e. g. kindergarten teacher in public institutions, social education worker or social worker in civil service) as well as jobs in a few other areas (e. g. architect).
If you are a citizen of EU/EEA or Switzerland an have studied at an approved university / university of applied sciences in another EU/EEA member state or in Switzerland, you may have to undergo a recognition procedure in accordance with the EU profession recognition guidelines 2005/36/EG with the authority of this profession. During this procedure, they might review whether your abroad study programme is equivalent to an Austrian programme. Each authority decides individually whether they require such a procedure. Some federal states might require such a recognition procedure for the social work study programme, others may not.
You can find more information on the regulated professions and the contact data of the respective authorities at www.berufsanerkennung.at. Feel free to contact the respective authorities directly with questions regarding the recognition procedure.
Our Austrian student counsellors are happy to answer any other questions at 0049 30 311 988 00.
You can find more general information regarding studying in Austria on the website of the Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research.
It is at the discretion of each university/university of applied sciences whether you are admitted to postgraduate studies. Even if your degree is recognised in principle, Austrian institutions may find differences in the study contents – especially if you had prior non-academic experience recognised for your IU study programme to a larger extent and were able to shorten the duration of your studies.
If you have any questions, it is best to get in touch with the institution you are planning to do your postgraduate studies with.
“The study programmes of IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) which are carried out in Austria have been registered in accordance with § 27 HS-QSG and included in the registration directory in accordance with §27 Abs. 6 HS-QSG.”*
Registering our study programmes and having them included in the directory does not mean they have been declared equivalent to Austrian study programmes or Austrian academic degrees. The study programmes and academic degrees remain those of the country of origin of the educational institution.
*In case the decision on the registration is revoked by the AQ Austria, this study programme may not be carried out any longer in Austria.
In the event that operations are ceased in Austria, all students will still be able to complete their study programmes.
Lina – student of psychology (B.Sc.) in Austria
“My studies are flexible, I get to study at my own pace and according to my own needs. With my degree from IU, I can do a postgraduate degree in Austria and complete my preparatory course, the so-called Propädeutikum.”
Invest in your future
Getting a degree is worth it – professionally, personally and financially. So you can find your way, we have collected some financial tips for students in Austria:
Employer support: By filling in this form for cost absorption, your employer can contribute to paying for your tuition fees.
Educational part-time: Also referred to as “Bildungsteilzeit”. In this model, you reduce your working hours and receive wage-replacement benefits instead. Find out more here.
Tax deductability: If you are employed, you can get back part of your tuition fees by declaring them on your tax return.
IU scholarship: Each month, we hand out four 50% scholarships. Take your shot and apply for one of our scholarships for people with disabilities, women in tech, single parents or career changers.
Recognition of previous achievements: Have you studied, completed training, or gained professional experience? You can get those previous achievements recognised towards your studies. This way, you can shorten your study time and save 30 euros per recognised ECTS credit.
A student loan might be just what you need to make your distance learning programme possible: More information on this topic can be found here (information in German).
Perfectly prepared for the Austrian job market
In some study programmes, we offer courses that specifically prepare you for the Austrian job market*. These are only offered in German and include:
Einführung in das österreichische Privatrecht
Das österreichische Unternehmensgesetzbuch
Das österreichische Unternehmensrecht
Buchhaltung und Bilanzierung in Österreich
Unternehmenssteuern und -abgaben in Österreich
* You can check the module handbook to see whether your preferred study programme includes these courses. If it doesn’t, you can complete them as extracurricular courses.
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