Everything I need to know before starting a doctoral program
There are a few steps to take before starting a doctoral program.
These differ slightly depending on the desired doctoral program or doctoral school.
Doctoral School of Education
Please note the Admission requirements for the doctoral program at the DS Educational Science with a specialization in Adult and Continuing Education or Inclusive Education or Social Pedagogy or Elementary Education or Pedagogy.
The following applies to the interdisciplinary doctoral program:
Step 1
First of all, a research topic and a supervisor are required to apply for admission to the doctoral program. Supervision can only be provided by habilitated members of the doctoral school. In consultation with the supervisor, the application for admission to the doctoral program and admission to the doctoral school must be recorded in writing and, in addition to the student's and supervisor's details, must also include the study program to be applied for (selection of the curriculum), a working title and a brief description (as an enclosure) of the research objective or research question and the supervision agreement.
Furthermore, a second supervisor must be chosen and optionally a mentor. These can be persons with a teaching authorization (habilitation) at a university or research institution if they are habilitated in the field or sub-field to which the dissertation is to be assigned. The mentor's task is to support the doctoral candidate and the supervisor with regard to adequate training and effective supervision and to monitor the progress of the dissertation project.
Please also note the information on the admission process for the interdisciplinary doctoral program linked here!
Step 2:
The second step is to apply for the doctoral program using the application tool of the University of Graz.
The following documents are mandatory for this online application:
- Application for admission to the doctoral program and admission to the doctoral school
- Current photo/photo (according to the criteria for passport photos)
- Photo ID (passport or identity card)
- e-card
- Proof of completed studies
- List of courses attended during the preliminary studies
- Application for admission to the degree program
- Abstract/exposé
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of motivation
The following applies to the humanities doctoral program:
1st step:
Preliminary agreement with a supervisor about the supervision of the dissertation (personal interview) and the dissertation topic must be completed. Supervisors can only be habilitated members of the respective doctoral school. This preliminary agreement is intended to simplify the further process of admission to the program and registration at the doctoral school.
In addition to the data of the student and the supervisor, the program to be applied for (selection of the curriculum), a working title and a brief description (as an attachment) of the research objective or research question must also be provided. This form must be submitted to the relevant head of department and head of the doctoral school for approval and then sent by email to urbi.doktorat(at)uni-graz.at. The Dean's Office will then approve the application by the responsible Dean of Studies.
Step 2:
Admission to the doctoral program is granted by the Study and Examination Office. For admission, you will need proof of completion of a relevant master's or diploma program (diploma examination or master's certificate, sponsorship notification) as well as a copy of the completed and signed form"Preliminary Agreement and Registration for Doctoral Studies". You will automatically receive this copy after approval by the responsible Dean of Studies to the e-mail address you provided on the form.
Doctoral School of Geography and Spatial Research
Step 1
To apply for admission to the doctoral program, you first need a research topic and a supervisor. Supervision can only be provided by habilitated members of the doctoral school. In consultation with the supervisor, the application for admission to the doctoral program and admission to the doctoral school must be recorded in writing and, in addition to the student's and supervisor's details, must also include the study program to be applied for (selection of the curriculum), a working title and a brief description (as an enclosure) of the research objective or research question and the supervision agreement.
Furthermore, a second supervisor must be chosen and optionally a mentor. These can be persons with a teaching authorization (habilitation) at a university or research institution if they are habilitated in the field or sub-field to which the dissertation is to be assigned. The mentor's task is to support the doctoral candidate and the supervisor with regard to adequate training and effective supervision and to monitor the progress of the dissertation project.
Please also note the information on the admission process for the interdisciplinary and natural sciences doctoral program linked here!
Step 2:
The second step is to apply for the doctoral program using the application tool of the University of Graz.
The following documents are mandatory for this online application:
- Application for admission to the doctoral program and admission to the doctoral school
- Current photo/photo (according to the criteria for passport photos)
- Photo ID (passport or identity card)
- e-card
- Proof of completed studies
- List of courses attended during the preliminary studies
- Application for admission to the degree program
- Abstract/exposé
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of motivation
Doctoral School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
The following applies to the interdisciplinary and natural science doctoral programs:
Step 1
First of all, a research topic and a supervisor are required to apply for admission to the doctoral program. Supervision can only be provided by habilitated members of the doctoral school. In consultation with the supervisor, the application for admission to the doctoral program and admission to the doctoral school must be recorded in writing and, in addition to the student's and supervisor's details, must also include the study program to be applied for (selection of the curriculum), a working title and a brief description (as an enclosure) of the research objective or research question and the supervision agreement.
Furthermore, a second supervisor must be chosen and optionally a mentor. These can be persons with a teaching authorization (habilitation) at a university or research institution if they are habilitated in the field or sub-field to which the dissertation is to be assigned. The mentor's task is to support the doctoral candidate and the supervisor with regard to adequate training and effective supervision and to monitor the progress of the dissertation project.
Please also note the information on the admission process for the interdisciplinary and natural sciences doctoral program linked here!
Step 2:
The second step is to apply for the doctoral program using the application tool of the University of Graz.
The following documents are mandatory for this online application:
- Application for admission to the doctoral program and admission to the doctoral school
- Current photo/photo (according to the criteria for passport photos)
- Photo ID (passport or identity card)
- e-card
- Proof of completed studies
- List of courses attended during the preliminary studies
- Application for admission to the degree program
- Abstract/exposé
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of motivation
The following applies to the humanities doctoral program:
1st step:
Preliminary agreement with a supervisor about the supervision of the dissertation (personal interview) and the dissertation topic must be completed. Supervisors can only be habilitated members of the respective doctoral school. This preliminary agreement is intended to simplify the further process of admission to the program and registration at the doctoral school.
In addition to the data of the student and the supervisor, the program to be applied for (selection of the curriculum), a working title and a brief description (as an attachment) of the research objective or research question must also be provided. This form must be submitted to the relevant head of department and head of the doctoral school for approval and then sent by email to urbi.doktorat(at)uni-graz.at. The Dean's Office will then approve the application by the responsible Dean of Studies.
Step 2:
Admission to the doctoral program is granted by the Study and Examination Office. For admission, you will need proof of completion of a relevant master's or diploma program (diploma examination or master's certificate, sponsorship notification) as well as a copy of the completed and signed form "Preliminary Agreement and Registration for Doctoral Studies". You will automatically receive this copy after approval by the responsible Dean of Studies to the e-mail address you provided on the form.
Doctoral School of Environmental Systems Science
Step 1
To apply for admission to the doctoral program, you first need a research topic and a supervisor. Supervision can only be provided by habilitated members of the doctoral school. In consultation with the supervisor, the application for admission to the doctoral program and admission to the doctoral school must be recorded in writing and, in addition to the student's and supervisor's details, must also include the study program to be applied for (selection of the curriculum), a working title and a brief description (as an enclosure) of the research objective or research question and the supervision agreement.
Furthermore, a second supervisor must be chosen and optionally a mentor. These can be persons with a teaching authorization (habilitation) at a university or research institution if they are habilitated in the field or sub-field to which the dissertation is to be assigned. The mentor's task is to support the doctoral candidate and the supervisor with regard to adequate training and effective supervision and to monitor the progress of the dissertation project.
Please also note the information on the admission process for the interdisciplinary and natural sciences doctoral program linked here!
Step 2:
The second step is to apply for the doctoral program using the application tool of the University of Graz.
The following documents are mandatory for this online application:
- Application for admission to the doctoral program and admission to the doctoral school
- Current photo/photo (according to the criteria for passport photos)
- Photo ID (passport or identity card)
- e-card
- Proof of completed studies
- List of courses attended during the preliminary studies
- Application for admission to the degree program
- exposé
- curriculum vitae
- Letter of motivation