UH 794 800 Doctoral programme PhD BOKU University

The PhD BOKU University serves to further develop the ability to carry out independent scientific work as well as to train and promote young scientists in the fields of competence at BOKU.

Graduates of the PhD BOKU University are awarded the academic degree “Doctor of Philosophy”, abbreviated to “PhD”.

Admission requirement

The requirement for admission to the PhD BOKU University is the graduation from a subject-related diploma programme or Master’s programme or a different course of studies with an eligible related subject that is at least of an equivalent level of higher education and has been completed at a recognised Austrian or foreign post-secondary educational institution.

Evidence of at least 300 ECTS credits in one or more degree programmes must be provided.

Doctoral project

(1) The PhD BOKU University comprises at least 180 ECTS credits, of which 162 ECTS points are for the dissertation and at least 18 ECTS points are doctoral courses (including the compulsory 4 ECTS course "Principles and challenges of research in socio-economics, natural resources and life sciences"). The topic of the dissertation shall be selected from a scientific subject which is represented at BOKU by a university lecturer with a major authorisation to teach.

(2) After admission to the PhD, the student must register the doctoral project with the Dean of Studies within one year. The doctoral project must be presented to the university before registration (e.g. in seminars at the institute/department or on the website). The registration of the doctoral project includes the following points:

• a synopsis approved by the supervisor (must contain the working title and a description of the content of the dissertation as well as a time, work and resource plan),
• a plan on the form and scope of the dissertation, drawn up by the student together with the supervisor,
• an Advisory Team consisting of at least two people,
• optionally one or two co-supervisors,
• proposal for courses (must be applied for in consultation with the supervisor).

Registration of the doctoral project

Additional registration