Austria launches initiative to attract Indian STEM students with low fees and safe campuses

Austria has unveiled a new educational partnership aimed at Indian STEM students, combining low fees, safety, and strong post-study work opportunities in a move to deepen academic ties between the two countries.

The Focus India initiative, announced by Austrian Ambassador Katharina Wieser and India’s Joint Secretary Armstrong Pame, will involve three leading technical universities — TU Wien, TU Graz, and TU Leoben — collaborating with VFS Education Services to ease admission and mobility for eligible Indian students.

Under the program, Indian engineering graduates from ANABIN-recognised colleges can apply for two-year Master’s degrees in fields including computer science, robotics, AI, environmental systems, sustainable technologies, industrial data science, biotechnology, and green chemistry.

TU Leoben will also offer select Bachelor’s programs such as Geo-energy Engineering, Circular Engineering, and Responsible Consumption & Production (EURECA-PRO).

Tuition fee at Austria’s public technical universities under this scheme is very moderate: about €726.72 per semester, plus a small student union fee of around €25. Students are responsible for other expenses like housing, travel, insurance, visa, and administrative charges.

Over 300 Master’s seats are available across the three participating universities — approximately 50 seats at TU Wien, 175 at TU Graz, and 84 at TU Leoben — along with about 15 seats for the special Bachelor’s programmes at TU Leoben.

Eligibility criteria include having a BE, BTech, or BSc (Honours) in a relevant discipline from an ANABIN-recognized Indian institution, maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.5 on the Austrian scale (approximately 65-70% in the Indian system), and demonstrating proficiency in English.

Applicants will undergo review based on academic credentials, English proficiency, interview or assessments, and document verification.

Austria has also emphasized safety and cultural friendliness. Ambassador Wieser noted that Austria is among Europe’s safer countries, advises that a large share of programs are taught in English, and said students can work part-time during studies (up to 20 hours per week). Post-study, graduates are eligible for a one-year visa extension to seek employment.

Officials for the program say demand in STEM fields among domestic students has been declining in Europe, and Austria is seeking to balance that by welcoming international students and filling labour shortages, especially in technology, sustainable engineering and AI sectors.

The initiative forms part of Austria’s broader strategy under its Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement with India to boost cooperation in higher education and research.