Austria Overhauls Psychotherapy Training: New Academic Standards for 2026

Starting in the 2026/27 academic year, Austria will transition to a new, university-based education model for psychotherapists. According to the Wissenschaftsressort, the reform replaces the traditional, private, non-university training path with a structured academic sequence: a relevant bachelor’s degree followed by a two-year master’s degree in psychotherapy at a public university, concluding with a post-graduate professional training phase.

Why is the psychotherapy training system changing?

The reform addresses two primary issues: the high cost of the existing system and a looming supply shortage. Historically, psychotherapy training in Austria was conducted exclusively through private institutions, often costing students tens of thousands of euros. 40 percent of the current 12,300 therapists are expected to reach retirement age within the next ten years. The government intends to stabilize the future supply of mental health professionals by integrating the training into the public higher education sector.

How does the new admission process work?

Demand for the new program currently exceeds available spots at all locations. For instance, in Vienna, more than ten times the number of applications were received as there are available seats. Admission is contingent upon holding a relevant bachelor’s degree, such as in psychology or social work. Applicants must also complete a self-assessment questionnaire. The entrance exam, conducted simultaneously across all sites, consists of several components:

• Fundamentals of Psychotherapy Science: Accounts for 70 percent of the result, covering psychological and medical-psychiatric foundations and psychological diagnostics.
• Language and Analysis: Tests for verbal-analytical skills and the ability to understand English-language technical literature.
• Social-Emotional Competencies: An evaluation of the candidate’s social-emotional competencies.

Where will students study?

The distribution of master’s degree spots is divided across several regional clusters. Other clusters include:

• University for Continuing Education Krems: 80 places
• University of Klagenfurt: 40 places

Will the new system reduce student costs?

While the government aims to make the profession more accessible, universities remain cautious about the financial burden on students. The new structure requires a post-graduate phase—consisting of theory, practical instruction, supervision, and self-experience—which remains a private expense for the student. Despite the shift toward public university education, universities do not anticipate a significant decrease in these specific training costs.

What happens to current students?

To ensure a smooth transition, the government has established long-term expiration dates for the legacy training system. Students currently enrolled in the old model may complete their Propädeutikum until 2030 and their Fachspezifikum until 2038. According to the Ministry of Science, there is currently a surge in demand for the old, private-sector programs, particularly from applicants who meet the requirements for the legacy system but do not qualify for the new university master’s program.

Key Takeaways

• Capacity Limits: 75 percent of master’s degree spots are reserved for students with an Austrian Matura to ensure long-term domestic coverage.
• Public Interest Model: While the law allows for “public interest” spots—where candidates must achieve fewer points on the entrance test and receive a scholarship in exchange for a commitment to work for a specific employer—this option has not been utilized by health insurance funds or regional authorities for this intake.
• Professional Shift: Psychotherapists were the last professional group in the higher medical field without mandatory training at public universities; the 2026 reform ends this distinction.