Frequently asked questions about our PhD and doctoral studies
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about PhD and doctoral studies at MedUni Vienna – from application and admission through to graduation.
Are you interested in pursuing a PhD or doctoral degree at MedUni Vienna?
There are two ways to get started: you can contact a potential supervisor directly with an unsolicited application or apply for an advertised PhD position through a PhD Call.
Not sure which pathway is right for you? The FAQs below provide an overview of both options and show you the next steps.
There are two ways to apply for a PhD at MedUni Vienna.
PhD Call: Apply through the online application system for an advertised project that matches your academic background and skills. If a position is advertised through a PhD Call, you must apply through the Call.
Direct application: Contact an accredited supervisor directly if your academic background and experience match the research group and its project. In your application, explain how your qualifications would enable you to contribute to the project.
After a successful application and confirmation of supervision, the next step is formal admission to the programme.
You can apply if you:
- hold a master’s degree, diploma degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised higher education institution;
- have completed a degree programme worth at least 240 ECTS credits, or a comparable programme lasting at least four years;
- have an academic background relevant to the research area or PhD project.
We welcome applications from within Austria and abroad. Qualifications awarded outside Austria are assessed during the formal admission process.
Your application will be particularly strong if you:
- have gained research experience, for example through your degree dissertation or research projects;
- have subject knowledge or methodological skills relevant to the project;
- have relevant professional or project experience;
- can work and communicate effectively in English in a research setting;
- have contributed to research or published academic work.
Please note: Publications can strengthen your application, but they are not required.
You can find the formal requirements for admission under Admission and Enrolment.
First, identify an accredited supervisor whose research matches your qualifications and experience. Contact them with a short application email in English. Explain your motivation, relevant skills and research interests, and include your CV and two references.
You are welcome to suggest a project idea, but you do not need one for your initial enquiry. The supervisor will assess whether your profile fits a research project and whether funding for a PhD position is available. If there is a potential match, they will explain the next steps in the selection process, which may include several interviews.
A direct application does not guarantee a position. If a position is already advertised through a PhD Call, you must apply for it through the Call.
Useful links:
Through the PhD Call, you can apply for advertised PhD positions across a range of research areas. You can select up to three projects that match your academic background and research experience in a single application. You cannot submit more than one application per Call.
Submit your application and the required documents through the online application system. You do not need to contact the supervisors before applying.
Following the initial review, shortlisted applicants are invited to online interviews. Those who progress to the next stage are invited to a PhD Campus Visit at MedUni Vienna. The university covers the costs of attending if you live outside of Vienna. During the visit, you can meet the research groups and supervisors and discuss the projects and the possibility of working together.
The final selection takes place after the PhD Campus Visit. If you receive an offer for a PhD position, this also confirms that a supervisor has agreed to supervise you. You can then begin the formal admission process.
For more information about application documents, referees and the selection process, see the PhD Call application FAQ.
Further information:
You can find current opportunities on the following pages:
- PhD Call positions: Browse the projects currently advertised under Open PhD Positions.
- Other PhD positions: Positions advertised outside a PhD Call are listed under Job Vacancies at MedUni Vienna.
- Doctoral positions (UN790): Positions for medical doctors and clinicians are also listed under Job Vacancies at MedUni Vienna.
Available PhD positions depend on current research projects and the funding available to supervisors. We therefore cannot predict when a position in a particular research area will become available.
If you cannot find a suitable advertised PhD position, you can contact an accredited supervisor directly. Your academic background and experience must be relevant to the research group. Whether supervision and a funded position are possible will be assessed as part of the selection process.
Useful links:
No. You can contact a supervisor to discuss your research interests. If you have your own project idea, you are welcome to include it in your direct application. Often, however, the principal investigator (PI) proposes the PhD project, which you then develop together.
For the PhD programme UN094, you do not need to secure your own funding or hold a position before applying. However, a suitable research employment contract with MedUni Vienna for at least 30 hours per week must be in place for admission.
Different employment requirements apply to the doctoral programme UN790. Please check the admission requirements for the programme you wish to join.
Only supervisors accredited for the relevant programme can formally supervise your project at MedUni Vienna. Click to access the current list of accredited supervisors.
This depends on the programme you wish to join.
PhD programme UN094: You do not need to secure your own funding or already be employed before applying. If your application is successful, the employment arrangements will be agreed with your supervisor. For admission, you need a research position of at least 30 hours per week. Your position is funded through your supervisor’s available project funding.
Doctoral programme UN790: You must already hold a clinical or research position of at least 20 hours per week. This position must allow you sufficient working time to carry out research for your dissertation.
Both programmes require a suitable employment arrangement. You cannot undertake either programme solely through self-funding without being employed.
We have several resources to guide you through your PhD Call application:
PhD Call Opportunities – Find current PhD positions, application deadlines and information about the selection process.
PhD Call FAQ – Find answers to frequently asked questions about the application, required documents, referees, interviews, application status and technical issues.
PhD Call Guide – Find detailed guidance on how to prepare and submit your application.
Application Manual – Follow step-by-step instructions for using the online application portal.
If you experience technical problems with the application portal or cannot find the answer to your question in the FAQ, please contact our PhD Recruitment Team:
Email: phdrecruitment@muv.ac.at
Please note that support is available Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays in Austria.
Congratulations on your offer! Here’s what happens next.
If you receive an offer through a PhD Call, your supervisor and the funding for your position are confirmed. If you apply directly, you and your supervisor will agree on the project, supervision and funding before you move on to formal admission.
Once these arrangements are in place, you can apply for formal admission to MedUni Vienna. You’ll find the required documents and deadlines under “Admission and Enrolment”.
I am an international student can I enroll my studies at Medical University?
You certainly can, as long as you meet the admission requirements.
For the admission to the PhD program will need to present following documents:
Registration form or application form (completed in full and signed)
Dissertation concept (completed in full and fully signed by all specified persons)
High school degree certificate
University degree certificates (BSc, MSc, diploma)
Eligibility certificate (if required)
Photo (passport size)
Signed CV
Photocopy of your passport
Proof of language proficiency
Applicants with non-EEA citizenship must also submit an Eligibility Certification issued by a student secretariat of a state-recognized university in the country / state in which the diploma / master's degree was issued. Your certificate of entitlement needs a current date of issue. An apostille is required for certificates from certain countries.
What are the basic requirements for registering for your studies?
The basic requirements for a PhD program are:
- completed master's or diploma studies in medicine or dentistry or
- completed scientific, technical or subject-relevant master's or diploma studies or
- completed Master's or Diploma studies in Medical Informatics or
- Completed master's or diploma studies at a recognized university in Germany or abroad.
- very good knowledge of English, scolding and oral. Proof of language proficiency must be provided upon admission.
- Knowledge of German is desirable but not mandatory.
- Supervisor agreement with a recognized supervisor
- Dissertation concept
- Financing by your supervisor
Details for admission to the degree programme can be found in our checklist.
How can I register to study?
Please send us your complete admission documents by email within the admission deadlines.
Here are the documents you need for admission:
| documents for PhD | approval document of peer reviewed projects of your supervisor form "application for admission" High school diploma (all pages) Diploma (Magister/Master/Dr.med.univ.) if necessary eligibility certification Proof of English language skills B2 level Employment contract as a scientific MA for external employment |
Copy of passport residency permit or equivalent document (if necessary) Portrait photo Curriculum vitae | |
| Please note: | In the country list you will find information on authentication and “eligibility certification”. |
Only complete applications for authorisation are dealt with. The dissertation concept ("concept of the doctoral thesis") must be completely electronically completed, stamped, dated and signed. Therefore, the documents must be submitted in German or English translation with the required authentications.
I am studying at another university how can I switch to MUW?
To switch to MUW, you must go through the regular admission process for the PhD programs. If you have already paid the ÖH fee at another Austrian university, you do not have to pay the fee again.
Is there an entrance examination for the doctorate?
No, there is no entrance examination for the PhD programme. The confirmation of a supervisor is the basis for a study place in the PhD program. There is no specific number of free study places per year.
I have completed my master's degree at MUW, can I apply for a doctoral programme?
Please send us your complete admission documents by email within the admission deadlines.
Here are the documents you need for admission:
| documents for PhD | approval document of peer reviewed projects of your supervisor form "application for admission" High school diploma (all pages) Diploma (Magister/Master/Dr.med.univ.) if necessary eligibility certification Proof of English language skills B2 level Employment contract as a scientific MA for external employment |
Copy of passport residency permit or equivalent document (if necessary) Portrait photo Curriculum vitae | |
| Please note: | In the country list you will find information on authentication and “eligibility certification”. |
Only complete applications for authorisation are dealt with. The dissertation concept ("concept of the doctoral thesis") must be completely electronically completed, stamped, dated and signed. Therefore, the documents must be submitted in German or English translation with the required authentications.
I have a completed doctoral program and would like to enroll in a PhD program is that possible?
For the PhD, you must have a purely scientific service contract, for which Dr. med. scient is possible to register in compliance with the admission documents
Do my documents need to be certified?
Original issued documents (maturity examination certificate, Bachelor's and Master's/diploma certificates, eligibility certification if applicable) from (e.g.) Austria, Germany and Switzerland do not need to be apostilled. For information regarding other countries, please refer to our list of countries. We always need the admission documents in German or English.
How long does it take to process my application?
We always try to process your request as quickly as possible, on average it takes between 3 and 6 working days from receipt of the documents to acceptance or rejection.
In which language do I have to submit my documents?
All documents must be submitted in German or English, otherwise they cannot be further processed by us. Please note that depending on the country of issue, some documents (maturity certificate, Bachelor's and Master's/Diploma certificate, Eligibility Certification) must be apostilled. The exact regulations can be found here.
In order to avoid a delay in your admission, please make sure that you have all the necessary documents and certifications in English or German available in a timely manner.
Do I have to be employed by MedUni Vienna to enrol?
For the PhD UN094 doctoral programme, only employment as a research assistant (over at least 30 hours per week) is required, but not as a clinically active doctor. Ideally, you will be employed via the specified third-party funded project – but this is not absolutely necessary.
Do I need to speak German?
Basically not, as the PhD program is held in English. If you are interested in a German course, you can find more information here. The Language Centre of The University of Vienna currently offers MedUni Vienna employees a discount for attending a language course.
How good does my English have to be?
You should have a very good command of spoken and written English so that you can exchange ideas with your colleagues about your work and everyday life and participate in lessons without obstacles. Your dissertation must also be written in English. English is the official working language in science, so at least a B2 language level must be present at the beginning of the study. There is the possibility to voluntarily improve the language level during your studies through further training.
In which language is the lesson conducted?
The courses are held in English.
In which language will I work?
In science, the working language worldwide is English. There is the possibility to participate in further training on a voluntary basis in order to improve your language skills.
Do I have to provide proof of language proficiency?
If English is not your first language, you must provide proof. Please enclose the documents with your enrolment documents, which proofs are recognized by the university, you can find out here.
My mother tongue is English, do I have to provide proof of language proficiency?
No, the first language does not have to be proven in principle.
What happens if I miss the registration deadline?
After you have missed the registration deadline, you will unfortunately have to wait until the general admission deadline in the next semester. However, you can already send us the documents for admission by email.
What are the deadlines?
The current deadlines can be found here in our academic calendar
What is a ÖH fee and do I have to pay it?
ÖH is the abbreviation for "Austrian Students' Union", the ÖH contribution finances the student representation at all Austrian universities. With the ÖH contribution, they are also insured against accidents and liability.
Are there tuition fees and what are the costs?
The tuition fee depends on the one hand on a valid residence permit, on the other hand on the duration of study (tuition fee obligation from the 9th semester). The ÖH fee is to be paid every semester in order to have an upright study relationship.
Is it possible to waive tuition fees?
A temporary exemption from the tuition fee exists for regular students of a master's or doctoral program for the duration of the standard period of study plus two tolerance semesters. For non-EEU/EEA citizens, the presentation of a residence permit (e.g. VISA D, Red-White-Red Card) is required. All further information can be found here.
Further possibilities for exemption or refund can be found here.
How can I finance my studies?
Your studies must be completed in parallel with an employment relevant to social law – which is sometimes interwoven with your dissertation – and you should contact your supervisor for gainful employment.
What is my PhD salary?
Our PhD students are remunerated in accordance with the collective agreement B1.
Are there any funding and how can I apply?
You can find the funding and scholarship opportunities here on our homepage.
Can I pursue my doctorate alongside a profession?
Yes, but it must be possible for you to actively pursue your studies. The PhD programme is a full-time course of study and provides for face-to-face teaching.
I forgot to pay my tuition fees, what now?
Please contact phd@meduniwien.ac.at as soon as you notice that you are exmatriculated. In the worst case, you will have to allow yourself to study again in the following semester, this can only be decided in individual cases.
How do I register my dissertation topic?
By submitting the Thesis Proposals incl. Thesis Registration, you register your dissertation topic. These documents must be submitted by the end of the second semester. Please pay attention to the complete signatures (the signature of the Deputy Curriculum Directorate will be obtained by the Study Department!).
How long do I have to write my dissertation?
The minimum duration of study is six semesters, but there is no maximum duration of study, you are not limited in time.
Do I still have to be employed by MUW while writing the work?
No, you don't have to.
Does the topic of the dissertation have to coincide with the topic of the supervisor's agreement?
No, it doesn't have to and a change is not unusual, as long as the topic does not change fundamentally, you do not have to submit a new proposal.
How can I block my topic and title for other students?
Send an "application for blocking" when uploading the dissertation, after which your work can be blocked for up to 5 years.
How can I deregister from my studies?
Write a short e-mail from your student e-mail address and announce that you want to finish your studies. Alternatively, you simply no longer pay the ÖH/tuition fee, and you will be automatically exmatriculated.
How can I change my thematic programme?
If you want to change the thematic program within the UN094 program, we ask you to send an e-mail to phd@meduniwien.ac.at, with both program coordinators in cc, you do not have to change the supervisor.
Can I stop my studies or take a leave of absence?
A leave of absence is possible, further information can be found here on our homepage, it is not possible to put your studies on hold, but you can exmatriculate and re-admit yourself at a later date; Your services will be retained.
I am studying at another university how can I switch to MUW?
You have to go through the normal admission process, if you have already paid the ÖH fee at another university, you do not have to pay it again with us.
Submission and review of dissertation and defensio
As soon as you have completed your dissertation, you submit it to the MedCampus, which will be sent by us for plagiarism check and then forwarded to an internal and an external reviewer. As soon as an expert opinion arrives, you will receive it from us. After two positive reviews are available, we put together an examination committee with which you independently plan your rigorosum.
This process takes an average of between 6-11 weeks.
How should the doctoral thesis be designed?
For information on formatting, please refer to the Outline thesis.
What is the scope of my dissertation?
There is no minimum number of pages/words. As an orientation, the "Thesis Outline" is recommended.
How can I be sure that my courses are recognised abroad?
In addition to the other rules regarding your doctoral studies at MedUni Vienna, the following points must be considered so that your period of study/courses abroad can be credited:
You are registered at MedUni Vienna for the entire duration of your doctoral studies
They have already successfully completed all prepedeutics and more than 40% of all courses.
You are writing your dissertation with an accredited supervisor at MedUni Vienna and have already registered your dissertation.
Basic courses, journal clubs and dissertation courses held by doctoral students cannot be credited.
Congress visits cannot be credited.
The courses must be offered as part of a doctoral programme.
Courses can only be credited if the courses are listed in the university calendar with a designated number of ECTS hours. The successful completion must be proven with an official certificate, signed by the teaching staff.
All documents must be submitted in the original and with official translation in English or German to the Study Department.