Hi, I’m Edin, though most people call me Edo, and I’m currently an international student and ambassador at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz). Coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina, I understand the excitement and the challenges of planning your studies in a new country and a new city, viz. Austria and Graz. If you’re considering TU Graz, you’ve made a fantastic choice! With its top-notch academic programmes, innovative research opportunities and a big and welcoming international community, TU Graz offers an excellent foundation for your future.
In this post, I’ll answer questions that prospective students from Bosnia and Herzegovina might have about studying here, covering everything from admission requirements to scholarships and tips for a smooth transition.
Is my secondary school certificate accepted?
One of the first questions many students ask is whether their secondary school certificate is accepted. Good news! TU Graz recognizes secondary school certificates from Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, these certificates need to be validated as part of the application process.
You’ll need to submit your documents to the TU Graz Registrar's Office, where they’ll be checked for equivalence to Austrian standards. For more information on the recognition process, visit TU Graz Admissions Guidelines.
Checking admission guidelines early on helps you to meet deadlines and requirements. (Image source: Lunghammer – TU Graz)
Admission requirements
Whether you’re applying for a bachelor’s or a master’s programme, TU Graz has specific requirements, listed on the website Required Documents for International Applicants.
For bachelor’s programmes, you’ll need:
- a recognized secondary school-leaving certificate as well as grade report from the last school year
- a transcript of Records (if a university degree programme has already been started)
- a filled-out application form for admission
- proof of German language proficiency
- a CV, and
- a copy of your passport
- and possibly an entrance exam.
For master’s programmes, you’ll need to provide::
- Certificate of the completed undergraduate degree
- Transcript of records of the completed degree with details of the examinations taken, grades and credits
- a filled-out application for admission form
- Proof of German language competence (only for master's programmes taught in German)
- Proof of English language competence (only for master's programmes taught in English)
- a CV,
- and again a copy of your passport.
Some programmes may also require additional entrance qualifications.
For more details, check the blog post “Starting your master’s degree at TU Graz” by my colleague Mia Schwerer.
Having your documents prepared and organized will help ensure a smoother application process, and you can look up the whole process on the Overview: Admission of International Degree Programme Applicants website.
Please note: you should have a lot of time and patience because the admission process für international applicants can take four to six weeks.
Scholarships and financial support
Ein Auslandsstudium kann teuer sein, aber es gibt eine Reihe von Stipendien für internationale Studierende an der TU Graz. Dazu gehören bedarfsorientierte Stipendien, Leistungsstipendien und Stipendien der österreichischen Regierung.
I myself was extremely happy to receive a scholarship through the programme TU Graz 100 in 2022. (Image source: Lunghammer – TU Graz)
For students from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research (OeAD) offers a platform dedicated to scholarships, which you can explore at grants.at. Additionally, TU Graz has a unique scholarship programme called TU Graz 100. This programme awards scholarships to selected first-year bachelor’s and master’s students, helping them kickstart their studies.
More details about the scholarship programme for first-year bachelor’s and master’s students can be found on the official TU Graz 100 Scholarships page.
Personally, I was fortunate to receive a scholarship through this programme in 2022 sponsored by the company Huawei. It provided valuable financial support during my first year at TU Graz. If you’re interested in applying for scholarships or have questions about the process, feel free to reach out – I’d be happy to help!
Who to contact for open questions?
If you have additional questions, TU Graz has a wealth of resources to help. The International Office – Welcome Center is your go-to for general inquiries about studying and living in Graz. You can also contact the Registrar’s Office for specific questions about your application. The university itself as well as different associations offer a wide range of advisory services.
Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) offers a wide range of advisory and counselling services for prospective students. (Image source: Lunghammer – TU Graz)
For peer support, I would highly recommend connecting with the newly formed Association of Bosnian-Herzegovinian Students in Graz (Gesellschaft der bosnisch-herzegowinischen Studierenden in Graz / Udruženje bosanskohercegovačkih studenata u Grazu). You can learn more about us on our website. This association connects students from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the broader ex-Yu region, offering a strong sense of community.
As the chairman of the association, I can proudly say that we organize a variety of activities throughout the year, such as hiking trips, quiz nights and seminars. Additionally, we provide guidance for prospective students from Bosnia and support them throughout their studies at TU Graz. If you’re considering joining us, feel free to reach out – we’d love to welcome you!
Tips for a smooth transition
Based on my experience, here are a few tips to help you settle in:
- Find housing early: Graz offers a variety of student housing options, but demand can be high, so start your search early.
- Explore the city: Graz is a beautiful and vibrant city with a rich cultural scene. Take time to explore and make it your home away from home.
Graz is Austria’s second city and home to eight universities and colleges counting some 50,000 students. (Image source: Lunghammer – TU Graz)
- Use student services: TU Graz provides excellent student support, from career guidance to mental health services. Take advantage of these resources to make the most of your time here.
- And last but not least, I know it can be scary and overwhelming thinking about all of the things and steps you need to do, but my best advice is to think about the upcoming beautiful part of your life being a student at the TU Graz.
Visit the TU Graz blog for posts on scholarships, legal requirements for starting as an international student, the Austrian higher education system or language requirements.
Conclusion
Studying at TU Graz as a student from Bosnia and Herzegovina is a rewarding experience that opens doors to academic excellence, cultural exchange and personal growth. By preparing your documents, understanding the admission process and tapping into available resources, you can make your transition as smooth as possible.
If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out – I’d be happy to help. TU Graz is an incredible place to study, and I’m confident you’ll love it as much as I do.
