Study in Austria? New initiative opens 300 seats for Indian engineers

Austria has launched TU Austria - Focus India, offering over 300 Master's seats at TU Wien, TU Graz and TU Leoben for Indian engineering graduates under a new mobility pact

Want to study in Austria? The country has launched a new initiative to attract Indian students to its top technical universities, with Ambassador Katharina Wieser saying academic cooperation remains a cornerstone of ties between New Delhi and Vienna.

Announced under the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement signed last year, the TU Austria – Focus India programme will open doors for Indian engineering and technology graduates to pursue two-year Master’s courses at TU Wien, TU Graz and TU Leoben.

“The initiative reflects Austria’s tradition of higher education as a public good and our commitment to welcoming talented Indian students,” said Wieser at a media briefing last Friday.

Study in Austria: Courses and focus areas

The programme will concentrate on fields such as engineering, circular economy and sustainable technologies, and will also provide a one-year post-study visa extension.

Armstrong Pame, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Education, said the initiative should reach students outside elite institutes. “India produces around 1.7 million engineering graduates each year. Many talented students outside the IIT system deserve international opportunities,” he said.

Officials explained that the scheme will combine academic rigour with industry exposure, placements and career fairs, while pointing to Austria’s affordability and the availability of English-taught postgraduate courses.

VFS Education Services will serve as the implementing partner for applications.

In August, Indian Ambassador to Austria Shambhu S. Kumaran also highlighted the benefits for Indian students: "We welcome the initiative of Austria's leading technical universities to deepen educational cooperation with India by creating a special portal for Indian students. This portal will enable them to pursue engineering and technology-related degree programs in Austria. This significant step strengthens the ties between our countries and lays the foundation for a more intensive bilateral economic partnership in the future." ALSO READ: End work permits for foreign students: Republicans after H-1B visa revamp