Austria rarely tops the list when students think about studying in Europe. Germany gets the attention. The Netherlands gets the English-taught programs. Austria quietly sits in the background offering one of the continent’s strongest higher education systems, genuinely livable cities and a surprising number of scholarships that do not require IELTS.
Ten of them to be precise.
This guide covers the Top Austria scholarships available for 2026-2027 from government-funded programs to university grants and fully funded PhD positions. None of them require IELTS as a mandatory condition. All are open to international students.
Before You Apply: What Replaces IELTS in Austria
This question comes up constantly so it is worth answering clearly before the list.
Austrian universities that waive IELTS do not simply take your word for it. They ask for an English Proficiency Certificate EPC a letter from your previous university confirming that your degree was taught and examined in English.
Getting one is straightforward. Email your university’s registrar or academic affairs office explain that you need written confirmation the medium of instruction was English and request it on official letterhead. Most universities process these within a week often at no cost.
This document works in place of IELTS for every scholarship on this list provided your previous degree was genuinely conducted in English. If it was not some programs assess proficiency through an interview instead.
Without IELTS means without the standardized test. It does not mean without any English evidence at all.
At a Glance
| Scholarship | Level | Funding | IELTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austrian Government OeAD | Bachelor’s Master’s PhD | Stipend + insurance | Not required |
| IST Austria PhD | PhD Science & Tech | Fully funded | Not required |
| Helmut Veith Stipend | Master’s Women CS | €7000/year + tuition | Not required |
| Austrian Development Cooperation | Practical Professional | Full tuition + stipend | Not required |
| Webster Vienna | Undergraduate Master’s | Tuition reduction | Not required |
| Republic of Austria Foundation | Research | Monthly stipend | Not required |
| Vienna International Postdoctoral | Postdoctoral | Salary + facilities | Not required |
| Klaus Liebscher Economic Research | Research Economics | Research funding | Not required |
| Erasmus Mundus | Master’s PhD | Full tuition + stipend | Not required |
| University of Graz Grants | All levels | Stipend + tuition waiver | Not required |
The 10 Austria Scholarships
1. Helmut Veith Stipend Women in Computer Science
Level: Master’s
Eligibility: Women only
University: TU Wien Vienna University of Technology
This one is specifically for women pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science at TU Wien. It is among the more focused scholarships on this list and frequently overlooked because many applicants do not realize it exists.
What it covers:
- €7000 annually
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Focus on Logic, Algorithms and Theory of Computer Science
IELTS is not required.
How to apply: Apply simultaneously to the Master’s program at TU Wien and submit the Helmut Veith Stipend application form. A cover letter explaining your interest in logic and theoretical computer science is required.
2. Austrian Government OeAD Scholarship
Level: Bachelor’s Master’s PhD
Funded by: Scholarship Foundation of the Republic of Austria
The OeAD scholarship is the flagship government program for international students in Austria. It is one of the most recognized scholarship names in European higher education and opens doors across Austrian universities at every degree level.
What it covers:
- Monthly stipend of approximately €1050 to €1150
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Accommodation allowance
- Occasional travel support
IELTS is not required if your previous education was conducted in English. Upload your EPC in the language skills section of the application.
How to apply: Visit the Grants.at database, locate the specific OeAD call for your country and prepare a research proposal or study plan alongside your EPC.
3. IST Austria PhD Scholarship
Level: PhD
Fields: Biology, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Data Science
Funding: Fully funded
The Institute of Science and Technology Austria runs one of the most competitive PhD programs in Central Europe. The scholarship is fully funded, covering tuition, research expenses, a monthly stipend and health insurance.
What makes IST Austria genuinely distinctive is the admission model. You do not need to identify a supervisor before applying. You apply to the institute, not to a specific lab and choose your research direction during the first year through lab rotations.
IELTS is not required. English proficiency is assessed through the admission interview itself.
Application window: Typically opens October closes January.
How to apply: Submit your transcripts, CV and Statement of Purpose. Prepare for an online interview where communication skills are assessed directly. Apply Now for IST PhD Scholarship
4. Austrian Development Cooperation ADC Scholarship
Level: Professional Postgraduate
Eligibility: Students from developing countries
Fields: Tourism, Hospitality, Sustainable Development, Teacher Training, Entrepreneurship
The ADC scholarship targets students from developing nations who are pursuing practical, professionally oriented programs. It is less academic-research focused than the OeAD or IST programs and more suited to students with relevant work experience in their field.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living stipend
- Accommodation support
IELTS is not mandatory. Work experience certificates and an EPC are the standard documentation.
How to apply: Applications are often processed through ITH Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management. Submit work experience certificates alongside your EPC.
5. Webster Vienna Private University Scholarship
Level: Undergraduate Master’s
Fields: Business Administration, International Relations, Media Studies Psychology Management
Webster Vienna offers American-style education in the heart of Vienna. Its scholarships are primarily tuition-based financial aid that reduces the cost of study rather than covering living expenses.
For students who want a US-curriculum degree in Europe without relocating to the United States Webster Vienna fills an unusual gap.
What it covers:
- Significant tuition fee reduction
- Available at both undergraduate and Master’s level
IELTS is not required for students with an English-medium academic background.
How to apply: Secure an admission offer first then submit the Financial Aid application through Webster Vienna’s portal.
6. Republic of Austria Foundation Scholarship
Level: Research Postgraduate
Fields: History, Political Science, International Relations, Literature, Medicine
This scholarship supports research-focused candidates working within the humanities, social sciences and medicine. It is competitive but the grant value is meaningful for researchers who need financial runway to develop serious academic work.
What it covers:
- Monthly stipend
- Official grant for living expenses in Austria
An EPC is accepted in place of IELTS.
How to apply: Register on scholarships.at upload your research plan and two recommendation letters and attach your EPC.
7. Klaus Liebscher Economic Research Scholarship
Level: Research
Fields: Economics, Finance, Policy-based research
Funder: National Bank of Austria OeNB
Funded by Austria’s central bank this scholarship maintains high academic standards and targets economics researchers working on policy-relevant, result-oriented projects. It is not a general study award. It is research funding for people who already know what economic question they want to answer.
What it covers:
- Financial support for research projects
- Coverage of research-related expenses
- Academic and professional exposure within Austria’s financial sector
IELTS is not mandatory.
How to apply: Send your application through the OeNB portal or via email with a detailed research project description, CV and proof of English-medium academic background.
8. University of Graz Grants
Level: All levels
Location: Graz, Austria
Graz has a well-established reputation as one of Austria’s most student-friendly cities affordable compact and with a large international community. The University of Graz provides grants specifically for international students who demonstrate strong academic potential but limited financial means.
What it covers:
- Monthly stipend
- Tuition fee waiver
- Affordable on-campus housing options
How to apply: Apply for admission to the University of Graz first. Once you receive your admission letter apply for the Grant for Foreign Students through the university’s internal portal.
9. Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Austria-Partner Programs
Level: Master’s PhD
Fields: Climate Change, Robotics, Cybersecurity, Public Policy varies by consortium
Erasmus Mundus is the European Union’s flagship international scholarship program. Rather than funding study at one university, it funds joint degree programs across multiple European countries and several consortia include Austrian universities as partners.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend
- Travel allowance
- Study across multiple European countries
IELTS is generally not required, though individual consortium requirements vary.
Important note: The Erasmus Mundus program includes hundreds of individual scholarships across different fields. Not all of them involve Austria. Before applying search the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue specifically for programs that list an Austrian university as a partner institution.
How to apply: Visit the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue then identify a program with an Austrian partner and apply directly through that consortium’s website.
10. Vienna International Postdoctoral Program
Level: Postdoctoral
Fields: Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Research
This program is for researchers who have already completed a PhD and want to pursue advanced research at Vienna BioCenter one of Europe’s leading life sciences research hubs.
It is a research position not a traditional scholarship. Fellows receive a competitive salary, access to advanced laboratory facilities, health insurance and professional development support.
IELTS is not required. A strong publication record and an EPC are the standard evidence of English proficiency.
How to apply: Apply through the Vienna BioCenter online portal with a research proposal and PhD transcripts.
The EPC: Get This Document Before You Do Anything Else
If one thing from this article sticks, make it this.
Every scholarship above accepts an English Proficiency Certificate in place of IELTS. Getting one takes less than a week and costs nothing at most universities.
Email your registrar’s office today. Ask for a signed dated letter on official letterhead confirming your degree was taught and examined in English. That single document removes the primary barrier between you and every scholarship on this list.
Do not let IELTS be the reason you do not apply.
