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Doctoral / PhD Programs

We are available via e-mail, and via phone at the following times: Mo - Fr 9 am - 12 noon and Wed also 2 - 5 pm

  If you plan to come to our office, please arrange an appointment with us in advance via e-mail to doctoraloffice@wu.ac.at.  We are also available for online conversations via MS Teams (on prior appointment via e-mail).

WU's Doctoral and PhD programs are three year-programs and usually take at least 6 semesters to complete. In the course of your studies, you attend courses, pass examinations and write a dissertation. 

The PhD programs are mainly intended for the university's academic staff. The doctoral programs can also be studied by students who are not working at the university.

Information about admission to a doctoral/PhD program is available in the chapter Application and Admission.

We recommend that you submit your online application for the Doctoral/PhD programs by the end of June for the winter semester or by the end of October for the summer semester.

Preliminary confirmation of supervision

According to WU's statutes / degree program structures, you need to have found a supervisor at WU before you can enrol in a doctoral/PhD program (except PhD Finance and DIBT). The WU professor willing to supervise your dissertation signs the preliminary confirmation of supervision; you need this document for admission, as well as a short synopsis of your dissertation project. You have to find a supervisor yourself, the university cannot provide you with one. As many are interested to begin a doctoral/PhD program at WU, looking for a supervisor may be a difficult and time-consuming business.

Orientation for (future) doctoral students 04.03.2024

Presentation of the Orientation 04.03.2024
Presentation of the Orientation 04.03.2024

Doctorate

PhD

FAQs

Is it possible to do the doctoral program if I have a fulltime job?

Can I study the doctoral program as a distant study course?

How long does the doctoral program take to complete?

Will the doctoral programs soon be changed to PhD programs? What is the difference between Doctor and PhD?

How do I find a supervisor for my dissertation?

Are there topics for which one can apply, or do I need to find my own topic?

When and where can I enrol in a doctoral program?

Where do I find the courses on offer? How do I register for them?

Do I have to attend the classes?

Can I specialise in a main subject of my choice or is my choice limited, depending on the field I specialised in during my master studies?

Is a knowledge of German necessary?

Doctoral Office

Building LC, 2nd floor
Welthandelsplatz 1
1020 Vienna

Tel: +43-1-313-36-4025 or -4696
E-Mail: doktoratsreferat@wu.ac.at 

Opening times

Monday: 3 - 5 pm
Wednesday: 2 - 5 pm
Thursday: 9 am -12 noon 
Please make an appointment in advance via e-mail.

Learn more!

Doctoral Program in Social and Economic Sciences