Office of Science & Technology

How does the Austrian Educational System work?
The main Austrian institution overseeing the Austrian educational system is the Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture . Its Web site offers an authoritative overview of the Austrian educational system. Another survey, including a discussion of current issues in the Austrian educational system, is offered by About.com , a corporation of the The New York Times Company. The information leaflet on "Education and Science in Austria " (2006), published by Austria's Federal Ministry for Education, the Arts and Culture includes statistical data. The University of Vienna offers a comprehensive list of the universities in Austria, and the portal of the Universities of Applied Sciences offers a comprehensive list of Universities of Applied Sciences in Austria (in German only).

What types of study opportunities are available in Austria?
The Studyguide, pathfinder through all Austrian universities and universities of applied sciences, offers an overview of graduate and post-graduate study opportunities in Austria, with information about the institutes and programs of all Austrian universities.

The Austrian Academic Portal provides details on study and research in Austria. For further questions, the portal of the Austrian Exchange Service (OEAD) can be accessed directly. The section "Life in Austria" presents general information on course registration, housing, student health insurance, cost of living, employment opportunities, studying German, and scholarships and grants. The Austrian Exchange Service (OEAD) - Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research - can be contacted directly at info(at)oead.ac.at for additional information and specific questions.

Each university has a department for international affairs that can be contacted directly with specific questions regarding the university in question. For instance, the Bureau for Research Services and International Relations at the University of Vienna , and Fulbright, the "Austrian-American Educational Commission," offer general information about studies in Austria, the Austrian educational system and Fulbright programs for American students.

I would like to study medicine in Austria. What opportunities are available?
Humane medicine in Austria can be studied in Vienna, Graz, Salzburg and Innsbruck. The Universities of Vienna, Graz and Innsbruck also offer studies in dentistry.

Below is a listing of all Austrian universities and university institutes that offer medical studies. The related links provide a good starting point for further research, and give detailed information on the possibilities for studying medicine in Austria. These universities and university institutes can also be contacted directly for further information on studying at the respective institution.

Medical University of Vienna : The language of instruction at the Medical University of Vienna is German. Information on Austrian programs in continuing medical education is available in German only and can be accessed through the Institute of Medical Education and Continuing Education of the Medical University of Vienna .

Medical University of Graz: There is a student exchange program between Medical University of Graz and George Washington University in Washington, DC, which offers students the possibility of participating in a one-month internship program.

Medical University of Innsbruck: The university's Web site provides information in German on the study of human medicine and dentistry, scholarships, admission, and teaching goals.

Private Medical University Paracelsus Salzburg (German information): Ten to fifteen percent of the lectures held at the Paracelsus University are in English. However, since the admission exams are in German, it is advisable for applicants to have an excellent knowledge of German. The Paracelsus University also offers continuing medical education (German information). With an exeption of the Postgraduate Program for Bariatric Surgery all their postgraduate studies are offered in German.

Please note that an entry exam is necessary to be admitted for studying medicine at a public university in Austria.

I currently hold a master's degree in medicine and want to obtain my doctoral degree in Austria. What are my options?
The Medical University of Graz provides an overview of the offered continuing education courses. Except for the e-learning course on dermoscopy, courses are held in German. Further information about continuing education is offered by the International and Postgraduate Center at the Medical University of Graz.

Where can I find more information about the US educational system?
The US Network for Education Information , a network of the US Department of Education, provides detailed information about the structure of the US educational system, its institutions, its programs, and its opportunities for studies in North America. Similar content, focused on higher education, is available at the Web site of Education USA.

The US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs offers information for international and American students. The Austrian and German US embassies also offer a wide range of information about the US-american educational system.

A general description of the structure, the characteristics, and the problems of the US educational system can be found through the Web sites of Wikipedia, the International Information Program, and also through the USA Study Guide.

A comprehensive list of US graduate schools can be accessed through the website GradSchools.com .

What kinds of study opportunities are available in the US?
Since the US educational system is strongly decentralized, it is best to request information directly from the institutions (colleges, universities, etc.) of interest. The Web site EducationUSA, launched by the State Department, offers a general overview of opportunities for study in the US. The Austrian Exchange Service offers a wide range of information on research and study abroad. The online database of this Web site allows specific searches for countries, scholarships and research funding. Information on scholarships is offered by the Fulbright Commission. The US Department of Education also makes relevant information available for students on its Web site.

I would like to expand my teaching experience to the US. What are my options?
For a foreign citizen, teaching in the US requires detailed preparations. 21st Century Teacher offers support during the planning and research process. The information provided on the Web site includes a list of prerequisites for teaching in the US. The American Federation of Teachers offers general information on teaching in the US in English. The Fulbright Commission gives qualified teachers the chance to participate in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program and describes the program in greater detail online.