Deadline for applications
The application deadline for the 2025/2026 academic year ended on 31 May 2025.
The application deadline for the 2026/2027 academic year will be published at the beginning of 2026.
The Klagenfurt Scholarship
The Klagenfurt Scholarship provides 300 Euros a month to support outstanding Master’s students of an EEA Member State whose excellent progress so far promises further top achievements, both in their studies and in their professional careers. Carinthia’s capital city Klagenfurt provides 150 Euros per month to finance one half of the scholarship. The second half is financed by top Carinthian companies, who build close relationships with the scholarship holders over the course of the two-year scholarship programme. This means that scholarship holders not only receive financial support, but can also establish a broad professional network with their own and all other sponsors during their studies.
FAQ
Who can apply for the Klagenfurt Scholarship?
Those eligible to apply for a scholarship are (1) prospective and (2) already admitted students of a Master’s degree programme offered at the University of Klagenfurt,
(1) who meet the requirements for admission to the Master’s degree programme and are about to start a Master’s degree programme.
(2) who have already achieved no more than 20 ECTS credits toward their Master’s degree programme.
Both groups must also fulfil the following requirements:
- The application for admission to a Master’s degree programme is submitted between the start of the admission period for the summer semester and the end of the admission period for the winter semester of the year in which the application is made.
- The period between the completion of the Bachelor’s degree programme and admission to the Master’s degree programme must not exceed three years.
- Applicants have not yet reached the age of 30 at the start of the Master’s degree programme.
- They are EU or EEA citizens or persons with equal status.
- The following are deemed to have equal status:
- Third-country nationals, if they have been staying in Austria ‘continuously and lawfully’ for a sufficient period of time (presentation of the long-term residence permit).
- Stateless persons, if they have been subject to unlimited income tax liability in Austria along with at least one parent for at least five years before the start of their studies (proof: official proof of residence and an insurance data extract from the social security provider or proof from the tax office).
- Refugees within the meaning of Article 1 of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, Federal Law Gazette No. 55/1955. Proof of status is provided by a passport or asylum ruling.
In certain duly substantiated cases, an exception may be made to the requirements.
The selection process and the awarding of the scholarship are carried out by a committee appointed by the University of Klagenfurt.
What is the level of funding?
Financial: 300 Euros a month for the duration of a Master’s degree prorgamme (standard period of study, 2 years).
Non-monetary and individual: Intensive cooperation in the form of project and research work, internships, mentoring etc.
What is the time frame for the Klagenfurt Scholarship?
The scholarship amounts to EUR 300 per month and is awarded for a maximum of the standard period of study for Master’s degree programmes (four semesters). The scholarship is paid out once it has been awarded, and also covers non-teaching periods and any study periods abroad. After the first year of study, there will be a review to assess whether the academic achievements justify a continuation of the scholarship.
Who makes the decision regarding the award?
A committee appointed by the University of Klagenfurt determines who receives the scholarships.
I won’t have fully completed my Bachelor’s degree by the application deadline or have not yet received my certificate.
That’s not a problem. According to the guidelines for the “Klagenfurt Scholarship” (item 5.2), the Bachelor’s certificate can be submitted by 31 October of the first semester.
What are the selection criteria?
Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance to date.
Special consideration is also given to:
- Social/civic engagement: Regular participation in societal, political, social and church organisations/groups or institutions.
- Challenging personal and family circumstances: including personal illness and disability, caring for dependent children (especially as a single parent), caring for relatives, so-called ‘educationally disadvantaged’ parental home (both parents without school-leaving qualifications), care leaver.
Is it possible to receive other funding besides the Klagenfurt Scholarship?
Yes, the Klagenfurt Scholarship is paid in addition to other benefits (e.g. study grant, scholarship for individuals earning their own livelihood, etc.).
What is expected of me?
At the end of each academic year, scholarship holders must provide evidence that they have completed the equivalent of 40 ECTS credits in the previous academic year. The academic year is defined as the period from 1 October to 30 September of the following year. The assessment date stated in the exam certificate is the determining factor.
How many Klagenfurt scholarships will be awarded?
The scholarship fund is financed by means of a sponsorship or free donations. The number of scholarships awarded depends on the resources of the scholarship fund which are raised through sponsorships, and is capped by the annual funding provided by the City of Klagenfurt.
How will I find out that I have been awarded a Klagenfurt Scholarship?
The selected Klagenfurt scholarship holders will first receive a written notice of award together with further details on funding, payment and important legal information. Furthermore, they will receive their scholarship certificate in person at a formal reception.
Where can I find the privacy policy?
Become a Klagenfurt scholarship holder
First selection phase
The selection of scholarship holders is a multi-stage process. After the closing date for applications, the online applications received in time will be screened to identify those candidates who will go forward to the next stage. The selection criteria for this first stage are as follows:
a) certificate of successful course completion
b) letter of motivation (1 A4 page) and CV in table form
c) if applicable, proof of social/civic engagement or special personal or family circumstances
d) if applicable, proof of other non-university involvement (e.g. prizes, certificates, other testimonials, etc.)
The documents must be submitted in German or English and should be sent by e-mail to fundraising [at] aau [dot] at.
Second selection phase
After the selection criteria have been checked, applicants will be invited to attend an interview.
privacy policy
Here you can view and download the privacy policy.
Announcement
Here you can view and download the Guidelines for the Scholarship Fund of the University of Klagenfurt as at April 2025.
Contact
Mag. Lisa Svetina, Bakk. rer. soc. oec.
- +43 463 2700 9309
- Lisa [dot] Svetina [at] aau [dot] at
- K.2.15 – Stiftungsgebäude, Ebene 2
