In the Comments section, you can also ask your questions and answer them in a short time.
Topics reviewed in this article:
Study for a Ph.D. in Austria and general conditions
The Ph.D. applicants in Austria should first get acquainted with its general conditions. Austria is a country in Western Europe with over 9 million people, bordering countries such as Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Italy. Austria has attracted many immigration applicants, international students, and investors due to its geographical location and its membership in the European Union and Schengen. The currency is the euro, and the official language is German.
Advantages of studying for a Ph.D. in Austria include:
- Working while studying
- Obtaining a companion visa for a spouse and children below 18
- No age limit for receiving admission
- Easier job search after graduation
One of the reasons for choosing Austria for immigration is learning and speaking English in this country. Many applicants want to study for a Ph.D. in Austria. So, we have written the conditions of study in Austria, the living and studying expenses in Austria, and the requirements for obtaining a scholarship, etc. in this article. There are four types of higher education institutions in Austria with different approaches providing a suitable environment for the student’s growth to raise the science level. Higher education systems in Austria include:
- Private universities
- Public universities
- Teacher training universities
- Vocational Technical Universities and Applied Sciences
However, not all educational institutions in Austria offer specialized Ph.D. courses.
Admission requirements for a Ph.D. in Austria
Some Austrian universities offer Ph.D. studies to undergraduate students. However, the Austrian education system complies with the Bologna Agreements, and students must have a master’s degree for a Ph.D. program. Also, those who have a one-year master’s degree and have obtained 60 ECTS points do not have the necessary conditions to participate in the Ph.D. program.
Language Certificate
Although English is the official language for research work, there are several Ph.D. studies in which you must speak German. Therefore, you must provide evidence of German language skills, at least DSH II level 2 (level B2). Ph.D. applicants in Austria who do not speak English as their mother tongue and do not want to take German language courses must provide an IELTS or TOEFL English language certificate.
Study in Austria for a Ph.D. with Fund (Full Scholarship)
One of the advantages of Ph.D. studies in Austria over other universities is free studies in this country. However, applicants must continue their studies in German if they want to study for free at Austrian universities. Tuition fees in Austria for a Ph.D. can vary depending on the applicant’s nationality, type of university, and study duration. The tuition fees for international students are a maximum of 728 Euros per month. However, the tuition fees at private universities are around 5,000 Euros per semester. Students and citizens of EU countries and the European Economic Area do not have to pay tuition fees for Ph.D. studies and can continue their studies for a specified period of about eight semesters or four academic years. If students study for more than four years, they must pay 363 euros per semester. Here are some Ph.D. programs and scholarships in Austria. After Ph.D. students enter Austria, they can receive a salary from the professor after working successfully with the professor in the projects.
Austrian university tuition fees fall into two categories:
- Completely free
- Very low tuition
Like the University of Vienna, one of the top 200 universities, the tuition fees vary according to the study field. For example, they must pay 750 euros to study medicine at the University of Vienna, but 350 euros for law, 750 euros for technical engineering, and 700 euros for humanities.
The Austrian Ph.D. scholarship at some Austrian universities is as follows:
- CONSTRUCTION LINZ
The University of Arts (Kunstuniversitat Linz) offers scholarships in the Humanities Department.
This scholarship duration is initially 12 months. If it continues, it will be extended for another 24 months.
It started on November 1, 2019.
It is 1,200 euros per month.
- GRAZ UNIVERSITY
Scholarship Foundation and Institute of Theoretical Physics at the University of Gross
Presented for the Department of Natural Sciences, Physics, and Astronomy
It starts at any time of the academic year.
It is 3,000 euros.
- UNIVERSITY INNSBRUCK
This scholarship is for study and research in women and sexual research-related fields.
Presented for the Social Sciences and Sociology Department
It starts on 2019.06.11.
It is 3,000 euros for research in sexual studies and women.
- UNIVERSITY OF SALZBURG
The department is eligible for scholarships in experimental sciences, natural and interdisciplinary sciences, health sciences, agricultural sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
The Ministry of Culture, Education, and Science of Salzburg provide this scholarship.
It started on June 1, 2012, and is 1,800 Euros per month.
- UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA
Departments that can use this scholarship include social sciences, sociology, other humanities, and interdisciplinary disciplines.
The duration of receiving this scholarship is two weeks and periodically only in summer.
It started on November 30, 2019.
Study in Austria for Ph.D. and top universities
Many Ph.D. applicants in Austria choose their university very carefully because choosing a university can affect their destiny. Therefore, MIE Austria has guided many of the applicants by introducing the top Austrian universities. Hence, we offer the top public universities and the top private universities in Austria.
Public universities in Austria | City | City ranking |
Universität Wien | Vienna | 1 |
Technische Universität Wien | Vienna | 2 |
Universität Innsbruck | Innsbruck | 3 |
Technische Universität Graz | Graz | 4 |
Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz | Graz | 5 |
Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien | Vienna | 6 |
Johannes Kepler Universität Linz | Linz | 7 |
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien | Vienna | 8 |
Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt | Klagenfurt | 9 |
Medizinische Universität Wien | Vienna | 10 |
Private universities in Austria | City | City ranking |
MCI Management Center Innsbruck | Innsbruck | 27 |
Fachhochschule Kärnten | Spittal an der Drau | 30 |
FHWien der WKW | Vienna | 33 |
Fachhochschule Wiener Neustadt | Wiener Neustadt | 34 |
IMC Fachhochschule Krems | Krems an der Donau | 35 |
MODUL University Vienna | Vienna | 38 |
Webster Vienna Private University | Vienna | 39 |
Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität | Salzburg | 40 |
Private Pädagogische Hochschule der Diözese Linz | Linz | 43 |
Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität | Linz | 44 |
Study in Austria for a Ph.D. and the required documents
International students must apply for a Ph.D. degree in Austria in a highly competitive situation. So, they first must correspond with a supervisor and send their resumes and academic records to the professor. Then, they can apply for academic admission if approved and accepted. However, one of the requirements for studying in Austria is to provide the necessary documents to obtain a student visa on the destination university website.
The universities of Vienna (not all Austrian universities) do not currently accept a Ph.D. disqualification certificate from any university. This letter must be from an acceptable university for the University of Vienna. They must submit diplomas up to the postgraduate degree, its translation, the seal of the Ministry of Justice and Foreign Affairs, and the Austrian Embassy approval.
- A certificate of non-prohibition of Ph.D. studies
- Acceptance documents and the supervisor’s approval
- An employment certificate from the Ministry of Science and translating it into German
- Completing the necessary form to obtain initial admission from the university
- A complete academic resume with its documentation
- Recommendation letters from the professors
- Motivation for studying in the desired field and university
- A proposal
- A German A2 degree
- A valid passport
- Financial viability documents
- Two 3*4 photos
- Student health insurance
Study in Austria for a Ph.D. and supervisor
One of the influential factors in obtaining admission and Ph.D. study in Austria is having a supervisor. Research programs must be approved by the destination university professors and supervisors. Therefore, international students must try to identify and find a supervisor by searching in reputable international journals and the destination university site in the research field of their choice. Also, MIE Austria can help you to find a supervisor if needed.
Finally, the supervisors can announce via email and designated communication objects whether they intend to cooperate and research the subject by examining the applicant’s situation and considering their resumes for Ph.D. studies in Austria. Therefore, students who can receive the supervisor’s approval can apply for university admission.
Studying in Austria for a Ph.D. and companion visa
Many married Ph.D. applicants in Austria want to know whether they can enter Austria with their families. It is also a concern for many immigrants. The companions usually cannot enter Austria at the same time. Therefore, the applicant must first enter Austria and apply for family reunification at the Austrian Immigration and Consulate after three months. However, the applicants can enter Austria with their family if the Ph.D. program is considered a job. In international law, it refers to the spouse and children below 18.
Studying in Austria for a Ph.D. and critical points for admission
One of the main points in obtaining admission to study in Austria for a Ph.D. is finding a supervisor and provide a solid and appropriate resume. International students should have the necessary admission standards to Ph.D. studies. Otherwise, their case is vulnerable, and they may face non-admission from that university. Therefore, finding a supervisor and being in line with them, and researching in their work field can have a significant impact on the applicants’ files. International students should have:
- Knowledge of specialized languages
- Published international papers
- Presenting international research
- Attending world conferences
Also, the applicants must only state essential issues in the letter sent to the chosen supervisor and observe all the necessary principles in it.
Ph.D. studies in Austria and graduate work
Many international students want to reside after graduation and study to obtain residency. Under Austrian immigration law, graduates can stay in Austria for a minimum of eight months and a maximum of a year and find work. Therefore, if graduates find and get the job they want in Austria at this time, they can convert their study residence into work residence. They can apply for long-term residence (two years residence) based on their work experience. One of the most critical issues when residing after studying for a Ph.D. is a suitable job position for individuals because study conditions, work experience, grade point average, etc. are slightly critical for Austrian employers. Therefore, Ph.D. graduates can prepare themselves for work with a maximum of 40 hours per week during their studies.
Ph.D. tuition fees
Until 2001, all Austrian universities were completely free. Then, university tuition was set at 360 euros per semester for Austrian and European students and 700 euros per semester for non-European students. From 2008, tuition fees will be refunded to Austrian and European students who complete their studies on time. The European Union is designated in each semester.
Other costs
Besides the tuition, all students must pay 18 euros per semester for insurance costs during their studies.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!