Information & Guidelines for Studying in Austria |
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This page contains useful information for PhD students starting in the Doctoral School "DK-plus: Computational Interdisciplinary Modelling" initiated by the University of Innsbruck. It is intended to help students with the requirements, policies and procedures involved throughout the PhD experience. Therefore, we suggest that all students carefully read this page. As first hand experience is the most valuable, all students are called upon to help update it and supplement it with new detail. Hopefully, by following these guidelines their PhD study will become a pleasant and profitable experience. This page is not intended as a sole source to all the student's questions, but rather a reference to where more details can be found. Please make use of the links referenced in this page to be sure you have the most current information. |
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Passport & Visa Requirements |
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Students from EU/EEA member states and Switzerland coming to Austria need a valid passport to enter the country, to study and to work (see next section if you stay longer than 3 months).
Detailed information can be found here: http://www.oead.at/welcome_to_austria/legal_practical_issues/EN/ Reminder: Always keep an official ID with you all the times |
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Obligatory Registration as a Resident |
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In many European countries there is a legal requirement to register your current place of residence with the local authorities or police. In Austria, a registration form called "Meldezettel" is needed. One must register as a resident in Innsbruck within 3 workdays after your arrival. A new form has to be filled in, or amended, each time residence is changed. The residents registration office is located in Maria-Theresien-Strasse 18, Rathaus, 1st floor (Monday-Thursday 8.00-15.00; Friday 8.00-12.00). EU/EFTA and Swiss citizens staying for more than 3 months must apply for a residence permit (Niederlassungsnachweis: for settling in Austria, Aufenthaltserlaubnis: for working or studying but not settling in Austria) at the Rathaus.
The costs for obtaining permits range from € 75-150 and are mandatory. Reminder: At the point of departure from Austria, you must deregister at the same office. |
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Health Insurance |
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Having a Universsity contract automatically results in paying part of the employee's health insurance. Even with a in Austria valid health insurance from the home country, an additional Austrian health insurance is mandatory. Only in case of having a stipend and with a health insurance from the home country that covers studying abroad, an Austrian health insurance is not required. This is the case for:
For more information see: http://www.tgkk.at |
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Everybody, who is entitled to benefits from the legal health insurance system will receive the e-card. This is a smart card, which substitutes all health insurance vouchers. But, the e-card is not only an electronic health insurance voucher, it is prepared for electronic signature as well. Therefore, it can also be used as Citizen Card. |
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Most doctors in Innsbruck speak English. Below is a short list of English speaking doctors. Note that they were only selected for their language skills, but no other criteria. The quality of their service has not been checked and the list is not complete. General practitioners Dr. Karin Tommasi Dr. Pfretschner Andreas Dentists Dr. Ursula Grömmer |
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Summary of Important IssuesIn the case of being far away from the place of duty without exemption, holiday or time compensation during normal office hours, and getting ill or having an accident, the normal health insurance will refuse to cover any expenses, as the insurant is expected be at work. Furthermore, the insurance of the university will not pay either. The resulting costs will have to be covered completely by the insurant.
Legal informationAccidents at the university or on your direct way to/from home are assured by the university. Typically, this insurance pays better than the normal health insurance. However, such events must be reported to the secretary, immediately. Illnesses must be reported at the institute, instantly. In case this occurs during vacation, sick days will not count against the total number of holidays. If the duration of the illness is longer than 3 days, a medical certificate must be handed in on the morning of the fourth day of illness, at the latest. Employment laws: Austrian legislation requires that the job is carried out at the place of duty (university). It is not allowed to work more than 10 hours per day; it is allowed to take some compensation. The total amount of compensation per month must not exceed 2 days. A student is entitled to 25 days of vacation per year. The database vis.uibk.ac.at > Resturlaub reports on the current status (login with mail-id: cXXXXXX and password). The total amount of holidays must be consumed within the following year (ultimately before the end of the contract). |
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Opening a Bank Account |
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One of the first things that should be arranged for on arrival in Innsbruck is to open a bank account. This bank account is not only required for the university payment, but also many other reasons, like e.g. health insurance. Some banks (e.g. Hypo Tirol Bank) offer free or cheaper accounts for students. To open a bank account one will need the following documents:
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Accomodation
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Searching for accomodation is not always easy and usually requires some time. The website of the Students Union www.oehweb.at > Services > Wohnungsbörse provides information about accommodation. One of the main sources of information is the local newspaper: Tiroler Tageszeitung (advertisements in the Saturday issue). It is important to react quickly: usually in the afternoon of the same day on which the advertisements appeared in the newspaper, the best flats are already taken. Therefore, it is advisable to get the newspaper early in the morning and start calling right away. Another option is to search the internet: http://www.wg-gesucht.de/wg-zimmer-in-Innsbruck.161.0.0.0.html http://www.oead.at/welcome_to_austria/legal_practical_issues/accommodation/EN/ There are two types of flat ideally suited for students: either a room in a shared flat, which in German is called Wohngemeinschaft (WG), or a flat of your own (Garconniere), which is usually more expensive. |
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Language |
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German is the dominant and prevalent language spoken in Austria. However, one should be aware of the fact that German is not exactly the same everywhere! Even though written language and grammar is uniform across the whole country, there is a wide range of regional accents and dialects. Some dialects, such as spoken in Tirol for example, are so strong that even Austrians have difficulty understanding them. Don’t be surprised if you feel completely lost in the beginning when visiting these regions. This variety of languages reflects tthe multitude of regional cultures and habits in Austria. During each semester the course "Deutsch als Fremdsprache" is held on 3 levels (from beginners to advanced) for all foreign students at the International Language Centre of the University of Innsbruck. As a registered student the course (8 hours a week) costs € 160 on each level. Details can be found on the website of the International Language Centre (ISI): |
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Help Service
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| Useful information for people living and working in Austria is available from HELP, the Austrian government help service or the Business Service Portal USP. The service center team informs interested citizens about eGovernment topics such as the Austrian citizen card and provides competent assistance on a variety of electronic public services. Detailed information can be found here: http://www.help.gv.at/Content.Node/HELP-FC.html |
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International Relation Office |
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The role of the Office for International Relations is to promote the internationalisation of the University of Innsbruck, to set up and maintain international partnerships and cooperation programmes and to support members of the University in all their international activities. More information can be found here: http://www.uibk.ac.at/international-relations/ while an International Student Guide can be found here: http://www.uibk.ac.at/international-relations/international_student_guide.pdf |
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The Austrian Foreign Ministry |
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The Foreign Minister of Austria is responsible for handling Austria’s foreign policy: http://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/foreign-ministry.html |
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Tourism & Events |
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Current events http://www.uibk.ac.at/th-physik/news/conferences/afi4prog.pdf
The following addresses are interesting in particular for those who want to visit and enjoy Innsbruck and its surroundings: http://www.innsbruck.info/xxl/_lang/en/_site/innsbruck/index.html http://www.kunstraum-innsbruck.at/index.php?L=1 |
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Sports |
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The University Sports Institute (USI, Fürstenweg 185) offers a large variety of sports (over 60). Information concerning the courses and how to apply (either online with your student ID number or personally with an appointment ticket) can be found at the following address: http://www.uibk.ac.at/usi/ |
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The Austrian Alpine Club also offers a full programme for ski touring, climbing, mountain biking, hiking, etc.: http://www.alpenverein.at/portal/?navid=206 |
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Cost of Living |
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| Life in Innsbruck is often found to be relatively expensive. For accommodation, meals and leisure activities, spending € 800 to 1000 per month is considered normal; However, this estimate obviously depends strongly on your personal lifestyle. A lunch menu at the Mensa costs € 4 to 6, a cinema ticket € 5.50 to 9, a one-day ski pass approx. € 30. A season ski pass for the Innsbruck area costs approx. €275. |
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Everyday Life |
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Shopping
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Free Time Activities |
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BarsHere are a few typical student bars:
Hofgarten Cafe Cafe-Music-Bar Zappa Das Stadtcafe Restaurant Elferhaus Limerick Bill’s Irish Pub La Copa - La Cabana Moustache Cafe at charly’s friends Treibhaus
Open till the late hours, the Testarossa Bar (Leopoldstrassee 10) is often suitable as a last resort.
Cultural Institutions
Cinemas
Museums
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