Vienna Doctoral School of Social Sciences

Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences

Directorate of Studies 40

The Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences at the University of Vienna prepares doctoral candidates for academic work in their field of research and educates and promotes early-stage researchers. The programme provides an internationally recognised academic education and involves independent research in the chosen subject.

Click on the chart to open an accessible PDF version.

Supervision

Supervision is at the heart of the Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences. Supervisors provide doctoral candidates with advice and support to help them successfully complete their projects. When applying for admission to programme, candidates must already have a supervisor at the Faculty.

Find a supervisor  Form a supervisory team

Guidelines concerning doctoral theses

Courses

According to the curriculum, doctoral candidates must obtain 30 ECTS credits in order to complete the Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences. Before concluding the doctoral thesis agreement, doctoral candidates may complete courses comprising 10 ECTS credits.

Requirements and course types  Course directory  Preview  External activities 

Public presentation at the faculty (FÖP)

Within the first year, doctoral candidates present their intended doctoral thesis projects at the public presentation at the faculty. This event introduces the candidates and their research topics to faculty staff and provides all participants with an opportunity to exchange ideas and provide feedback.

Aims and outcome  Organisation and procedure  Research proposal  Research Ethics Pre-Screening  For supervisors and board members 

Thesis agreement and annual reports

Following a successful public presentation at the Faculty, the doctoral candidate, their supervisor(s) and the university will sign an agreement setting out the rights and obligations of all parties involved, the time plan for the doctoral studies and the major tasks, as well as the plans for the working relationship.

Doctoral thesis agreement  Annual progress reports

Submission, review and defence

At the University of Vienna, doctoral theses are assessed independently by two experts in the relevant discipline who have not supervised the candidate. Reviewers have a maximum of four months to assess the doctoral thesis and submit their review. Following a positive assessment, the candidate may register for the public defence.

Submission and review  Public defence