Why international students choose MU
Small classes ensure personal support and real connections, while an industry-focused education provides skills with strong global relevance. All of this is set in Vienna: a safe, livable, central, and inspiring city that enhances both academic and personal growth.
Life at MU & Living in Vienna
Campus Life & Community
MU offers a dynamic and inclusive campus life where students from around the world come together to learn, grow, and connect. Situated atop scenic Kahlenberg with views over Vienna, the campus provides not just modern classrooms and collaborative study spaces but also a welcoming community that supports academic success and personal well-being. Orientation events, mentoring services, and a variety of student-led clubs give everyone opportunities to make friends, explore interests, and engage in social and cultural activities beyond the classroom. This vibrant student life, combined with support services and a strong international network, helps create a supportive community where students can thrive both personally and professionally.
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From Offer Letter to Vienna: We’ve Got You Covered
Document Checks
Visa Tracking Support
Pre-Arrival Guidance
Orientation Week
Depending on your citizenship, you may require a visa, residence permit or both to study in Austria at MU Vienna. Find more info here:
What Makes MU the Right Choice for You?
Student Clubs & Events
Student Clubs & Events at MU play an important role in creating an active and connected campus community. A wide range of student led clubs, including sports, cultural, and interest based groups, offer opportunities to explore new passions, build friendships, and develop leadership skills. Students are encouraged to join existing clubs or create their own, making it easy to get involved. In addition, regular events such as networking evenings, cultural celebrations, and social activities bring students together throughout the year and enhance the overall university experience.
Buddy Program
The Buddy Program is a volunteer-based initiative that pairs current MU students with newly admitted international and exchange students. It aims to ease their transition to a new environment during their first months in Vienna and at MU.
Sign up through the Student Service Center!
Cost Of Living Overview
In Vienna, most international students budget about €1,000 – €1,500/month for rent, food, transport, insurance, and personal expenses — though your individual budget can be higher or lower depending on your lifestyle and accommodation choices.
Accommodation
- Student dormitories / shared flat: ~ €400 – €900/month (varies by type & location).
Food & Groceries
- Groceries and eating out typically cost €250 – €380/month, depending on how often you cook versus eat out.
Transport
- Vienna has excellent public transport; student passes or semester tickets make costs manageable (roughly 25€/month with the Wiener Linien Youth Ticket).
Health Insurance & Other Essentials
- Health insurance: around €60 – €80/month (mandatory for international students).
- Utilities (internet/phone) and personal expenses add on depending on your usage.
Tips for Students
- Shared flats or student housing are typically the most cost-effective options.
- Take advantage of student discounts on transport, culture, and food.
Housing basics
We offer a dedicated, personalized accommodation service designed to support every student from the very beginning of their journey. MU is partnered with an array of housing partners in different categories that allow us to provide our students with special pricing and discount codes.
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Hear from our students
“Moving to Vienna felt big — but MU made it feel like home from day one.”
Most popular questions answered by the MU Team
Yes. Many MU students arrive in Vienna for the first time when they start their studies. Before the semester begins, you'll receive guidance on what to prepare, and Orientation Week helps you get familiar with campus, the city, and your fellow students.
No. All degree programs at MU are taught in English, and you can comfortably study and navigate much of Vienna in English. Learning German is however recommended and MU can sponsor up to 4 language courses for you to get started, but it isn't a requirement.
Most international students live in student residences or shared apartments around Vienna. The university has partner dormitories and provides guidance on accommodation options. See Student Accommodation for more information.
Many students arrive knowing no one. Orientation Week, student clubs, campus events, group projects, and social activities throughout the semester make it easy to meet people from around the world.
Your schedule will depend on your program, but most weeks include a mix of lectures, interactive seminars, group work, independent study, and social events. Some students also work part-time, join clubs, or explore Vienna during their free time. See a day in my life recorder by students here.
Some international students work part-time alongside their studies. The opportunities and regulations depend on your nationality and residence permit, so it's important to check the requirements before accepting employment. Students requiring a visa to study in Austria are allowed to work up to 20 hours/week.
Whether you have academic questions, need wellbeing support, or simply aren't sure who to ask, MU's student support teams are there to help from Academic Office to the IDEC. You don't have to figure everything out on your own.
Yes. If you graduate from an Austrian university, you may be eligible to apply for a residence permit that allows you to remain in Austria while looking for employment for up to one year, provided you meet the legal requirements in place at the time of application. MU's Visa team can provide guidance on the process and direct you to the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date information.
MU graduates pursue careers in a wide range of industries, including business, tourism and hospitality, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and data science. Throughout your studies, you'll have access to Career Services, including career coaching, CV and interview support, networking events, employer presentations, and internship opportunities to help you prepare for your next step after graduation.
