Studieren in Österreich

The Austrian Development Co-operation (ADC) concentrates on a limited number of so-called key countries and key regions (including 20 countries) and aims at

• eradicating poverty
• providing basic social needs
• the equal distribution of available resources and means of production
• reducing discrimination
• the promoting sustainable economic growth and environmental awareness
• building up democratic structures.

Educational cooperation, the main focus of the Austrian Development Cooperation, has the objective to strengthen staff and institutional capacities not only at the educational sector but also at other major sectors significant to the development of these countries.

The range of programs varies from scholarship programs for specialized post-graduate training and research to support for setting up scientific cooperation and building networks.

The scholarship programs are open to applicants from developing countries.

ASEA – UNINET is a multilateral partnership between university institutions in Europe and South East Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam). The network was founded in 1994 by the Austrian Rectors Conference. Currently, about 53 academic institutions are members of the network, fourteen of them Austrian. The network supports staff development, teaching and research programs in each of the participating institutions.

Academic contacts and networks that had been established during study and research activities in Austria have proven to be essential for the sustainability of the ADC programs in the region.

The ADC supports the exchange of academic staff via scholarship programs.

Please visit the website of ASEA-UNINET to contact the responsible person in your university.

The following chapter is designed to give you a short description of several scholarship programs as well as post-graduate courses financed or co-financed by the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC).

Potential candidates must include an official nomination and a job commitment by an institution working in the field where the applicant wants to pursue his work.

For applicants who wish to undertake a PhD program or a special research project it is advantageous that contacts to Austrian universities and/or university professors have already been established.

All applications submitted by women are treated with priority.

The Austrian Academic Exchange (AAE) provides a so-called grants database including short term and long term scholarships. Moreover, the AAE lists useful information about studying in Austria as well.

For further information regarding specific information, such as curricula of postgraduate programs, required documents etc. please visit the websites of the relevant scholarship program.

a) Applicants for scholarships under section 2.1.a. (North-South-Dialogue) have two possibilities to apply:

1. through the yearly interview procedure advised by and organized at the International Cooperation Division of the former Ministry of University Affairs (now "Commission on Higher Education")
   or
2. directly through the Austrian Embassy

The interviews are usually held in February and the Ministry normally advertises them three months in advance. The application form can be found on the website of the Austrian Exchange Service.

The above interview procedure is strongly encouraged, as the practice shows that the chances to get a scholarship via direct application at the Austrian Embassy are much lower.

b) Applicants for scholarships under section 2.1.b. (Technology Grants South East Asia). The application procedure is through the yearly interview procedure advertised by and organized at the International Cooperation Division of the former Ministry of University Affairs (now “Commission on Higher Education”)

c) All other courses under section 2.2. are advised yearly by the Department for Technological and Economic Cooperation (DTEC) at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This scholarship is financed by the Austrian Development Cooperation with the aim to support specialists from developing countries with regard to their future career activities in their home countries.

Pending further notice, this programm is at the moment not available to students from Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.

Scholarships are given to post graduate studies, such as PhD or research, in all fields of studies except humanities, theology, music and arts. Applicants pursuing a so-called sandwich study are especially aimed at by the program. The term sandwich study is used when the applicant spends the main part of the studies at his or her home country and one or two semesters in Austria for specific research and courses.

Generally, the scholarship program is open to members of all non-European developing countries. People working in institutes and/or having already made distinctive contacts to Austrian academic institutes are treated preferably as the applicant must provide for a re-employment certificate. The applicant must hold a Master’s Degree or other any other degree equal to an Austrian diploma.

Founded in 2001, this scholarship program designed for technology related PhD and post doc research. The scholarship aims to enhance the excellent cooperation between Austria (Austrian Exchange Service/Austrian Industry) and the South East Asian partner countries Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

The scholarship program offers two types of grants for candidates from all technology-based fields, such as natural science to engineering, economics to medicine and music.

The applicant must highlight the value of his planned PhD or research for the Austrian industry. An re-employment certificate is also needed

Please visit the official website of the Division of Theoretical Chemistry at the University of Innsbruck. 

For further information please refer to the ASEA-UNINET coordinator at your respective university.

AIT offers interdisciplinary courses at MA or PhD level in development and management, agricultural and nutritional technology and other fields. It also supports research programs. The ADC finances scholarships for MA and PhD degrees that aims at strengthening regional capacities. Besides the scholarships reserved for Bhutanese applicants, the ADC focuses on citizens of LDC’s in the region (eg. Nepalese, Indonesians, Vietnamese, Cambodians, etc.).

Applicants must abide by the admission criteria of Asian Institute of Technology.

The Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITH) offers each year two courses in tourism and hotel management, specially designed for members of developing countries that have already gained working experience in this field. Prerequisites are previous working experience gained at a regional or national tourism organization/institution/company that deals with aspects of tourism planning, marketing or administration. Both courses last eight months (two semesters) and they are taught in English.

Scholarships are given to members of focal or cooperation countries of the ADC. Applicants must have completed a secondary education diploma that gives access to university education or a qualification similar to the afore mentioned as well as a minimum of one year working experience in tourism.

Contact: office(at)klessheim.sts.ac.at
Homepage of the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management

The EPU is an international NGO with UNESCO status. It was founded in 1988 with the support of European UNESCO Commissions. Primary goals of the EPU are:

• spreading the idea of peace in the spirit of UNESCO;
• giving scientific and educational support to peace building in Europe as inspired by the OSCE process;
• promoting a "world domestic policy" based on sustainable development,
• co-operative responsibility and ecological security;
• contributing to the development of a global peace culture;
• training and improving individual capabilities in peace-making and
• conflict resolution.

The European University Center for Peace Studies (EPU) offers two 3 months courses each year. Lectures and seminars are held in English. The course is open to young diplomats and people working in the national administration (ministry) or non-governmental organizations as well as junior professionals with adequate working experience.

The ADC finances scholarships for a limited number of applicants paying special attention to applicants from focal countries and cooperation partner countries as well as other LDCs. Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the relevant courses offered, working experience and a good knowledge in English.

Please visit the official website of the Austrian Study Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution for more information.

The Austrian Academy of Sciences is the leading organization promoting non-universtiy academic research institutions in Austria. Up to 700 scientists carry out extensive research projects guaranteeing the organization’s excellence in humanities and sciences. The AAS also offers a wide variety of scholarship programs.

Please visit the official website of the Austrian Academy of Sciences for further information on scholarships and deadlines.

The Diplomatic Academy of Vienna (DA) offers postgraduate training that prepares young graduates for the varied challenges of an international career. The DA equips its students with the academic qualifications, the language training, intercultural competences and management skills that are today the essential and often decisive prerequisites for the successful entry into many international professions and a subsequent interesting career.

The DA offers the following regular programs:

• Diploma Course
• Master of Advanced International Studies (MAIS)
• International Studies Course

Special Courses: summer courses

Please visit the website of the Diplomatic Academy Vienna for further information.

The six-month course (total of 18 months) in Limnology is part of the “Master of Science Program in Wetland Ecology and Limnology”. This program is a joint venture by the International Institute for Infrastructural, Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering (IHE) at Delft, Netherlands, the Institute of Limnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Mondsee, and the Makarere University in Kampala,Uganda.

The course taught in English gives an overview over the structure and function of freshwater ecosystems, introduces technologies of implementation of know how in developing countries and enhances knowledge and technology exchange and applied research.

Participants have the possibility to choose the course either as a single specialization course or as part of the Master of Science program. The Master program includes a second six month course at the IHE at Delft and at Kampala.

The ADC finances scholarships for applications from focal countries, cooperation partner countries, and countries that have become cooperation partners by the initiative of graduates of this course.

The applicant must have completed a Bachelor’s Degree and working experience in limnology and a good knowledge in English.

Website: Institute for Limnology

This six-week course takes place every second year and it is part of the hydrologic program of the UNESCO. It provides knowledge about the usage of natural and artificial tracers for subterranean waters and aims at improving solutions for problems such as water supply, construction of power stations and irrigation systems in developing countries. The course is taught in English.

The ADC finances scholarships for approximately 16 applicants, where applications from Africa are treated preferably. The applicant must have a university degree in the field of study or a completed training in geology or hydrology as well as a good knowledge of English.

Website: Johanneum Research