International Degree Students/Equality
Students from countries listed in appendix of Tuition Fee Regulation - which are the poorest countries on Earth - only have to pay the student union fee (ÖH fee) each semester.
Students from all other countries, so called Third Countries (exempt of the countries listed in appendix ), generally have to pay each semester the tuition fee of € 726,72 plus the student union fee (ÖH fee) . There are, however, reasons for exemptions. If these apply, students can be exempt from the tuition fee.
Students with a residence permit other than a ‘Student Residence Permit’ in Austria, e.g. EU long-term residence, family member, Red-White-Red Card, etc., may be exempted from tuition fees or granted an equivalent exemption. In that case, only the ÖH fee is due during the tuition-free period.may be exempted from or treated as equivalent to the tuition fee.
Persons holding a residence permit with the designation ‘student’ may only be exempted from tuition fees if they meet the criteria set out in the Group of Persons Regulation:
- hold a school-leaving certificate from an Austrian school abroad, or
- if the centre of their life interests (valid registration, income in Austria evidenced by an insurance statement) has been in Austria for at least 5 years prior to their first admission to the University of Graz, or if this applies to a person legally obliged to provide maintenance.
If any of the above points apply, an application for equality from tuition fees must be submitted within the application deadlines (always by the end of the payment/admission deadline: March 31st for the summer semester, October 31st for the winter semester). If the application is approved, only the ÖH contribution is payable during the fee-exempt period (minimum duration of study plus grace semester). Equality is not granted automatically.
Applications for students already enrolled must be submitted via the University of Graz Online Account – under ‘Online Applications Academic Affairs’
If an application cannot be submitted by the deadline, the prescribed fee must be paid by the end of the relevant payment period. If the grounds are subsequently found to apply, you may then apply for a reimbursement of the tuition fee.
If the tuition-free period is exceeded, students granted equal status will be required to pay tuition fees of €363.36 plus the ÖH contribution. In such cases, it is possible to be exempted from tuition fees provided the statutory exceptions are met.
Further information can be found under
For British students who were enrolled and registered to study at the University of Graz up to and including the 2020/21 winter semester and who do not interrupt their studies, the tuition fee rules for students with EU/EEA nationality will apply until further notice.
As soon as you interrupt your studies for one or more semesters (interruption means that you deregister from the University or are deregistered by the University), you will be subject to the tuition fee regulations for students from other countries from the date of resumption
For British students who enrol and register for the first time at the University of Graz from the summer semester 2021 onwards, or who resume their studies, the fee regulations for students from other countries apply