Technische Universität Graz - Schulich & Science Only

TU Graz has a variety of Engineering & Science programs including Astrophysics, Biochemistry and Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Cellular Biology, Chemical Physics, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Earth Science, Electrical and Informational Engineering, Geodesy, Geology, Geophysics, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Natural Sciences, Physics, and Plant Biology. 

For a full list, please see: Bachelors Programs or Masters Programs. You can also search for courses taught in English. Exchange students at TU Graz are allowed to take both Bachelor’s and Master’s courses without any restrictions.

Additionally, students may be able to take 50% or less of their courses at the University of Graz (about a 13 minute walk away) through the intra-Graz academic network. This is on top of the minimum enrolment required at TU Graz (18 ECTS).

The actual course enrolment happens close to the start of each semester, so we encourage planning for flexibility and back-ups in your desired courses.

Course requirements:
In Europe, full-time course load is 30 ECTS (European credits). Exchange students at TU Graz are required to take 18-30 credits per semester. 6 ECTS = 3 UCalgary units. The amount of credits each course is worth corresponds to the workload/contact hours, and can vary from 1-30 ECTS per course, so please be mindful of this in your selection. 

Student Tip: "In general, the academic environment is more formal. Eating during lectures is a faux-pas, and questions are generally saved to the end of the lecture. To conclude a lecture, instead of applause, it is common to tap the table as if you're knocking on a door. Class sizes were also significantly smaller."

The academic year is divided into two semesters:

• Winter semester (equivalent to UCalgary Fall): October to late January/early February
• Summer semester (equivalent to UCalgary Winter): late February/early March to early July

Please Note: Austrian visa applications may require advance travel to the Ottawa embassy to submit documentation and take biometrics.

Graz offers various accommodation options for exchange students including student housing and flat shares. Monthly costs are typically around €500 per month. The earlier you start looking for accommodation, the more options you will have.

Other resources include:

• OeAD Housing provides in-depth descriptions of different student housing options in Graz. You can register for a room directly on the website.
• The Austrian Student Union has a list of all student housing in Austria. In case you don’t know, the City of Graz is in the County of Styria (Steiermark)!

Student Tips: "One day the temperature high was about -1 C, and the city issued an extreme cold warning." "It is a small city, and possible to get around on foot or by bicycle."

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in the Schulich School of Engineering or the Faculty of Science at UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

For courses in English, no German skills are necessary, however if you wish to take courses in German you must have completed at least two 300-level courses in German (4 semesters of German or equivalent language skills). A language level of at least B2, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR), is also acceptable. Certification of language proficiency may be required.

Do I have to speak German?

If you are taking courses in English, no prior knowledge of German is required for this exchange. If you wish to take courses in German, please review the eligibility section for more information. 

What options are available for improving my German?

Before every semester Graz offers intensive German language courses at different levels. The courses cost €260 for exchange students. Students also have the opportunity to do German language courses during the semester for a fee. 

What resources are available to new students?

TU Graz offers helpful orientation sessions before each semester explaining some of the formalities of your exchange, the Austrian university system, and tips for living and studying in Graz - it is mandatory to attend as important information and registration processes take place at this time. There is also an Intercultural Orientation session.  

What's special about Graz?

Museums, armouries, and botanical gardens; annual music and art festivals; a vibrant cabaret scene. It's understandable that Graz was named the European Capital of Culture in 2003. The city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in part because of its well-preserved medieval city centre. Additionally, Graz's setting near the Alps has made it an active stop on the European train network. From here it's only an hour to Maribor, Slovenia, or four hours to Venice, Italy!

What accessibility resources are available?

For information on accessibility and support services of campuses across Europe, check out Inclusive Mobility. Our Disability Abroad resource has additional links and suggestions to plan for your trip.

Student Tips: "Very extensive sports courses in a huge range of activities (skiing, diving, climbing) were all available at a very low cost to students. Lots of orientation activities were also planned. Casual, bi-weekly meetups took place in a local pub. Also, the mayor hosted a reception for all incoming foreign students!"