Study Nursing in Austria

Nursing is an important major in health and care field, and the regulations and languages in nursing education and work are different in each different country. Studying nursing in Austria is allowed for international students who desire to study in this country, but it does not necessarily have the same conditions as other majors. In this article, we will examine in detail the requirements to study nursing in Austria. One of the best options for those who want to study in Austria is to receive advice from MIE experts for a better and broader perspective.

Nursing Studies in Austria at Undergraduate Level

Those who have graduated from high school and have completed at least 12 years of education are eligible to study nursing in Austria. However, two issues are very important for international students: average grades and German language level. To apply for Nursing Study in Austria, international students must prove by an official language certificate that they are at level B2 in German and their average must be above 70% of the total score based on the education system of the country of origin. Bachelor's degree studies in nursing in Austria last 3 years.

Students may study at both public universities and universities of applied sciences. The biggest difference is in the tuition fees. At public universities, tuition fees are lower and less than 800 euros per semester, while at universities of applied sciences this figure increases to 1500 euros or more. In addition to academic studies, nursing courses also include practical courses and clinical internships.

Nursing Studies in Austria at Graduate Level

Graduate studies for nurses who have received their bachelor's degree in Austria are different from those who have obtained their bachelor's degree in other countries. Nursing graduates from outside Austria must first go through a special process called Nostrification to study for a master's degree. This process is for non-native nurses who have not studied and worked in the field of nursing according to Austrian educational standards and the German language and who need to have their degree recognized in order to continue their studies or work in Austria.

For the recognition process, they must have an official German language certificate at level B2 and, in addition to the language certificate, they must also pass a specialized exam in German nursing terminology in Austria. At the discretion of the authorities, applicants must also complete additional units and courses or nursing preparation in German that will bring their previous education into line with Austrian nursing standards. After taking and passing the exams, the foreign nurse can provide a work permit and also apply for admission to Austrian universities for a master's degree in nursing.

Nursing Studies in Austria and Language of Instruction

A very popular topic for international students is Study Nursing in Austria in English. It is obvious that international students, especially those who have studied in non-German-speaking countries, desire to study abroad in their own language or at least in English. This is because English is much more widely spoken than German. However, studying nursing in English is not possible in Austria and applicants must have a high level (B2) of German and provide an official language certificate such as Goethe or OSD.

The reason why Study nursing in Austria in English is not possible is that nursing is a field that is very tight on the Austrian healthcare system. All the trainings at university requires direct verbal communication with patients and medical staff, and the language of communication for all of them in Austria is German. Therefore, studying in German is a strict requirement and there are no exceptions.

Applying for Nursing at Austrian Universities

There are universities in various cities in Austria that accept and review applications from international applicants according to the conditions explained in the paragraphs above. The professional nursing education in Austria is called Gesundheits- und Krankenpflege and is mostly taught at universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen). Below are the most important Austrian universities that offer nursing programs:

Documents Required for Nursing Studies in Austria

Each university may have its own list of required documents for admission to the nursing program. However, for nursing applications, a number of documents are usually requested by universities, the most important of which are mentioned below. Applicants should note that most universities will only accept these documents if they are accompanied by an official translation in German by a sworn translator. Some of these documents must also be legalized/apostilled by the Austrian embassy in the country of origin, depending on the conditions and opinion of the university. These documents may differ for bachelor's and master's degrees:

Advantages and Challenges of Nursing Studies in Austria

First, in this section, we will discuss the benefits of studying nursing in Austria, and then its challenges:

Advantages:

• ·         Education in an advanced education system
• ·         Education in a modern healthcare system
• ·         World-class educational equipment
• ·         Possibility of studying very cheaply and even receiving a monthly salary
• ·         Graduating with a dual degree that is both academic and a work permit
• ·         Possibility of finding employment after graduation with a rate of almost 100%
• ·         Advanced education through Simulation
• ·         Austria's advanced security and economy

Challenges:

• ·         Language restrictions and the obligation to learn German at a high level
• ·         Cultural and linguistic differences with patients and medical staff
• ·         Passing difficult exams due to high competition and limited acceptance
• ·         Passing physical and medical tests
• ·         Bureaucracy, apostille and legalization of various documents
• ·         Difficult adjustment and balancing practical work hours and academic education

Concluding Remark

This article examined in detail the requirements to study nursing in Austria. Applicants must have an official German language certificate at level B2 and their GPA is appropriate. For graduate studies, nurses who did not receive their bachelor's degree in Austria must complete a process called Nostrification before applying for a master's degree and have their bachelor degree recognized. Public universities and universities of applied sciences in Austria offer nursing programs, and nursing studies in English are not possible in this country due to the close contact with patients and medical staff. If you are interested in study in Austria, consulting with our experienced experts would be a great step.