5 Study Abroad Programs in Austria to Elevate Your Education

Imagine a picture-perfect destination, where the snow-capped mountains are reflected in crystalline blue lakes with wooden cottages dotting the shores — this can be found throughout Austria’s beautiful countryside.

Kiiiinda like this!

While Austria is a small nation of just 8 million (to give you some scale, NYC has more people!) it does have a few bustling cities to keep urbanites busy, like Vienna and Salzburg. An extensive public transit network will keep you connected from the smallest Austrian village to any of the neighboring 8 countries and beyond throughout Europe, making Austria the perfect hub for travels.

Austria is a great place to soak up history and culture, marvel at baroque architecture in the UNESCO World Heritage Site city centers, and take in an opera or orchestra concert for just a few Euros. Even experienced German speakers will have something to learn, as the Austrian German dialect varies from the traditional Hochdeutsch spoken in Germany.

But not to worry! Most Austrians speak English with ease, making for easy cultural exchange among the welcoming locals. A country rich with traditions, festivals, holidays and cultural events, delicious cuisine, and locally-produced beer and wine, study abroad programs in Austria are the perfect way to dip your toes into another culture!

Our top recommended study abroad programs in Austria:

Study Abroad and Discover the World with AIFS
IES Abroad Vienna – Music
Study with EESA: 7 Cities & 5 Countries in One Semester
CCIS: Salzburg - Salzburg College
Gain Qualifications and Earn Money as a Ski Instructor

5 of the best study abroad programs in Austria

Editor’s note: This information on study abroad programs in Austria was accurate at the time of publishing. Please refer to each individual program for current data.

1. Study Abroad and Discover the World — 9.16

Dive headfirst into Austrian culture in the country’s most quintessential city — this is where The Sound of Music was filmed after all! AIFS provides support with both US and locally-based staff who are there to guide you through housing and visa processes, help you budget for your trip, and enhance your experience once you arrive.

The program fee includes trips to nearby cities and countries, too! With a built-in community of other study abroad students, you’ll be sure to have an amazing time and make fast friendships that will last long after your study abroad experience.

Where? Salzburg
When? Fall, Spring, Summer
Subjects? Anthropology, arts, European studies, humanities, photography
Read AIFS reviews here

2. IES Abroad Vienna – Music — 9.32

Austria’s capital, Vienna, has a strong musical history, with the compact downtown filled with theaters and opera houses, and the city serving as the meeting place of many of history’s greatest composers and musicians. So where better to complement your music studies than in Vienna?!

IES makes sure you get the most of your music education by providing extra private lessons and special practice rooms, among many other perks. Round out your education with German language and European studies classes, and take advantage of Vienna’s lively performing arts scene, where you can snag standing room tickets for just a few euros nightly. Vienna’s central location also allows you to cityhop around Europe easily in your free time.

Where? Vienna
When? Year-round
Subjects? Music, art history, German, theater, psychology
Read IES Abroad reviews here

3. Study with EESA: 7 Cities & 5 Countries in One Semester — 10

Having trouble deciding on just one study abroad program in Austria or Europe when every city sounds so alluring? Then this program is perfect for you, as it visits seven cities and five countries over just one semester!

You’ll base yourself in Ukraine and spend a few weeks of the semester traveling around Europe, learning in different cities from different experts. This program makes a stop in Vienna, Austria’s capital, to soak up its history and culture.

Where? Vienna
When? Fall, Spring
Subjects? Foreign language, humanities, sociology, international relations, international business
Read Eastern European Study Abroad reviews here

4. CCIS: Salzburg - Salzburg College — 9

If you’re looking for a simple, stress-free credit transfer process, check to see if your home institution is part of this consortium, which gives automatic credit approval for its study abroad programs in Austria, offering you a seamless transfer process!

Perfect for athletes, this unique program offers affiliations with local teams to keep up your game while overseas. As an added bonus you can even receive discounted tuition as a team member! A required language class will set you up for success to navigate around your new home of Salzburg.

Where? Salzburg
When? Fall, Spring, Summer
Subjects? Art & fine arts, journalism & broadcasting, education, economics, business
Read College Consortium for International Studies reviews here

5. Gain Qualifications and Earn Money as a Ski Instructor — 10

Looking to both learn new skills and make some cash during your time abroad? Try this Austria study abroad option, a ski instruction school which offers a guaranteed paid work placement at the end of the course!

To top it off, you’re nestled in the Alps in a picturesque Austrian ski town with three top resorts where you can practice and master your technique. You’ll find that skiing is a favorite national winter pastime for Austrians, who start honing their skills from a young age! The central location allows for easy travel around Austria and neighboring Germany in your time off.

Where? Kaprun and Zell am See
When? Winter
Subjects? Sports
Read Oyster Worldwide reviews here

Find & Compare Study Abroad Programs in Austria

You’re ready to study abroad in Austria!

Study abroad programs in Austria will open the door to amazing experiences!

Choosing to study abroad in Austria and in Europe opens the doors to so many opportunities. With lots of countries packed into a small area, it’s easy to explore tons of unique places and dive into diverse cultures, all while picking up some new language skills as you go.

It also certainly doesn’t hurt that cheap train, plane, and bus tickets are plentiful, and student discounts are the norm, all of which help you maximize your experience studying abroad in Austria. Austria is the perfect place to base yourself, with its rich culture full of exciting traditions to take part in, new foods to try, and unique German language dialect to learn.

Whether you’re interested in learning more about Austria’s history, or its place within Europe as a whole, picking up a new language or perhaps joining in the national pastime (soccer), or picking up some new job-related skills like teaching English or ski instruction, there are study abroad programs in Austria for everyone.

The mountainous landscape is breathtaking in any season; summer is perfect for hikes and winter is perfect for skiing! Study in Austria and immerse yourself in a new culture, returning home a more well-rounded individual. So don your lederhosen or dirndl (traditional dress in Austria) and get ready for an unforgettable experience in Austria!