📝 1. Language Proficiency Requirements

🎓 English-Taught Programs

Most Austrian universities offering international programs accept:

Test	Minimum Requirement
IELTS	6.0–6.5 overall
TOEFL iBT	79–95
PTE Academic	58–65
Duolingo English Test	95–120

📌 Always check with your university’s admissions page for exact score requirements.

• 🌐 University of Vienna: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/
• 🌐 IELTS Official:  https://www.ielts.org/
• 🌐 TOEFL Registration:  https://www.ets.org/toefl
• 🌐 Duolingo English Test:  https://englishtest.duolingo.com/

🇩🇪 German-Taught Programs

If your program is in German, you may need:

Exam	Level
ÖSD / Goethe Zertifikat	B2 or C1
TestDaF	4×4 or higher
DSH (Germany)	DSH-2 or equivalent

• 🌐 Goethe Institut: https://www.goethe.de/en/index.html
• 🌐 ÖSD Exams: https://www.osd.at/en/

💡 Some universities offer language preparatory courses (Vorstudienlehrgang) before starting your main program.

🎒 2. Pre-Departure Checklist

• ✅ Final admission letter
• 🛂 Student visa or residence permit
• 💳 Proof of sufficient funds (~€11,000/year)
• 🏠 Accommodation confirmation
• 🩺 Travel & Austrian health insurance
• 💼 Copies of all academic documents
• ✈️ Book your flight 6–8 weeks in advance
• 🧳 Pack seasonally appropriate clothes
• 📌 Winters are cold — pack thermals, coats, gloves, and waterproof shoes

💡 3. What to Pack for Austria (Student Essentials)

Category	Items
Clothing	Winter jackets, layers, boots, casual & formal wear
Electronics	Laptop, universal adapter, external storage
Food	Spices, ready-to-eat packets, pickles (within allowed limits)
Academic	Notebooks, stationery, digital copies of transcripts
Documents	Passport, visa, insurance, university letters (print + soft copies)
Others	Basic medicines, toiletries, travel pillow, padlocks

🧳 Use compression bags to save space. Avoid overpacking; most essentials are easily available in Austria.

💻 4. Online Orientation & Arrival Support

• Online or hybrid pre-arrival orientation sessions
• Virtual campus tours & city guides
• Onboarding modules for residence registration, student IDs, transport passes
• Introduction to university platforms (e.g., Moodle, USI, Mensen systems)
• 🌐 Graz University of Technology welcome guide: https://www.tugraz.at/en/international/incoming-students/

🧳 5. Arrival Tips for First Week in Austria

• 📝 Register your address within 3 days (Meldezettel form)
• 🛂 Collect residence permit card from local authority
• 📱 Get an Austrian SIM card (A1, Magenta, Drei)
• 🏦 Open a student bank account (Erste Bank, BAWAG, Raiffeisen)
• 🚆 Purchase local student transport pass
• 🏠 Confirm housing check-in, WiFi setup
• 🛒 Visit nearby grocery & household stores: Hofer, Lidl, IKEA

🧠 6. Academic Culture & Expectations

Austrian universities value independent learning, academic integrity, and student engagement.

• Emphasis on research and analytical writing
• Interactive lectures, open debates, and project-based assessments
• Strict rules against plagiarism (use tools like Turnitin)
• Semester schedules: Winter (Oct–Jan), Summer (Mar–Jun)
• 🌐 Learn more: https://studyinaustria.at/en/live-and-work/living-costs

🤝 7. Connect with Fellow Students Before Departure

• 🌍 Facebook groups: “Indians in Vienna”, “International Students in Austria”, “Nigerians in Austria”
• 📱 Telegram/WhatsApp groups: Ask university’s international office or ÖH
• 💻 Reddit threads: r/StudyInEurope | r/Austria

📑 Summary – Top Prep Resources for Austria

Resource	Link
Study in Austria portal	https://studyinaustria.at/en/
OeAD (student mobility info)	https://oead.at/en/
Visa & residence permit	https://oead.at/en/to-austria/entry-and-residence
IELTS registration	https://www.ielts.org/
TOEFL info	https://www.ets.org/toefl
Duolingo English Test	https://englishtest.duolingo.com/
German Language Courses	https://www.goethe.de/