Studying in Graz
The location of Graz offers students an optimal infrastructure like the uncomplicated booking option of practicing rooms, the instrument rental service, sufficient computer rooms and computer terminals, an extensive inventory of the (media) library as well as several performance venues: The traditional "Florentinersaal", the multi-functional "Theater im Palais" (TiP), the avant-garde "CUBE" as well as the MUMUTH (House of Music and Music Theater) - an expectional building concerning both architecture and acoustics, where practice-oriented studying is possible.
Furthermore, the city of Graz provides a wide range of leisure opportunities as well as an optimal living and learning environment for students.
Information about the city of Graz
Graz, the capital of the province of Styria, is located in the southeast of Austria, just about 50 kilometres away from the Slovenian border and 70 kilometres away from the Hungarian border.
The cultural life of Graz, with about 300 000 citizens Austria´s second-most-populous city, is regarded to combining traditional and contemporary trends in synergy, completed by its atmosphere of departure.
The four universities - University of Graz, Graz University of Technology, Medical University of Graz and University of Music and Performing Arts Graz - with alltogether 47 000 students and 9 700 employees highly determine the atmosphere and appearance of the city of Graz.
Student Statements: I like studying in Graz because ...
"… Graz is an open but still quiet city, where I can concentrate very well on my studies and my education!"
(Carlos, Master´s Programme Composition)
"... Graz is an ideal city for students: not too small, not too big. In Graz, tradition meets modernity."
(Kajetan, Bachelor´s Programme Jazz)
Sights & cultural offer
Did you know that Graz was not only celebrated in 2003 as Europe's cultural capital, but since 2011 Graz is also "UNESCO City of Design" and is one of the most future-oriented cities in the world?
- Here you will find information about the sights in Graz
- Here you can find information about galleries and museums in Graz
- Here you will find information about annual festivals and events in Graz
Further information can be found in the information sheet "(Social) life in Graz & Oberschützen" of the Welcome Center.
Culinary & going out
Did you know that since the year 2008 Graz has been the "city of culinary delights" of Austria due to its regional, fresh products, the Mediterranean way of life and the extraordinary culinary offer?
Fresh regional products:
Tips and searching options:
Further information can be found in the information sheet "(Social) life in Graz & Oberschützen" of the Welcome Center as well as here.
Sports & leisure
Did you know that in Graz there is the University Sports Institute (USI), which offers more than 350 discounted sports courses especially for students, graduates and employees of the Styrian universities?
The city of Graz offers numerous opportunities to do sports and to fill your leisure time with new and exciting experiences. From various bathing facilities, a well-developed bicycle infrastructure, some climbing opportunities, running tracks along the Mur over to ice skating opportunities there is something for everyone!
Here are some annual sports events for athletes as well as for viewers.
In addition to sporting activities and events the city of Graz furthermore offers other leisure activities, such as the following:
Further information can be found in the information sheet "(Social) life in Graz & Oberschützen" of the Welcome Center.
Recreation & relaxation
Those who learn and practice a lot also need time to relax and unwind! Graz offers many places where this is possible:
- Augartenpark
- Botanischer Garten (Botanical garden)
- Burggarten park
- Hilmteich
- kunstGarten (art garden)
- Schlossberg
- Schloss Eggenberg (Eggenberg palace)
- Stadtpark
- Rosenhain
- Citybeach
- Murpromenade Graz south
Hiking options in Graz:
- Arnold-Schwarzenegger hiking trail
- Rettenbachklamm – Platte
- Burgruine Gösting (castle ruins)
- Jakobsleiter Reinerkogel
- Schöckl
- Thalersee
- Rundweg St. Martin – Straßgang (ciruclar trail)
- And much more
Of course there is also a lot to discover out of town. Due to the optimal location of Graz, you can reach the wonderful south and east of Styria quickly, for example:
- Zotter chocolate manufacturer (Bergl 56, 8333 Riegersburg)
- Austrian sculpture park (Thalerhofstraße 85, 8141 Premstätten)
- Sulmsee (Seggauberg 184, 8430 Leibnitz)
Here you can find an image film about Styria ”Ich bin Steiermark“ (German language only)
Here you can find more information about Styria and possible activities.
Further information can be found in the information sheet "(Social) life in Graz & Oberschützen" of the Welcome Center.
Further Information
>>> Learn more about the study location Oberschützen
Student Statements: Special Tips from KUG-students:
"If you like being in nature, I recommend the local mountain of Graz, the so-called “Schöckl”! In summer you can hike here and enjoy your leisure time, in winter the cable car leads upwards. As soon as you arrive at the top you can enjoy delicious Austrian food as well as a great view over the city of Graz!"
(Faris, Bachelor´s Programme Composition and Music Theory & Education in Composition and Music Theory)
"Not only art and culture, but also a spectacular view offers the Kunsthaus Graz! On the glass observation platform, the so-called "Needle", the old town of Graz, the river Mur and the Schlossberg can be seen very well! Incidentally, for students there is a discounted Joanneum card for many museums."
(Sara, Master´s Programme Musicology)
Any questions or comments? This page is edited by the Welcome Center of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz.