Application and Admission to PhD and Doctoral Programmes at the Medical University of Vienna

Requirements for PhD and Doctoral studies

Are you interested in pursuing a PhD or doctoral degree at the Medical University of Vienna? We are pleased that you are considering joining us.

At the Medical University of Vienna, you apply for a specific PhD position and its associated research project. Before applying, please check both the general admission requirements and the academic requirements of the individual PhD position. These can vary considerably depending on the research project.

• University degree
  To be eligible for admission, you need a relevant university degree. You must provide evidence of one or more university degrees amounting to at least 240 ECTS credits in total. This requirement may, for example, be met by a Bachelor's Honours degree with a standard duration of at least four years, or by a three-year Bachelor's degree combined with a one- to two-year Master's degree.

  In addition to the duration and scope of your previous studies, their academic relevance is also important. As part of the admission process, we will assess whether your university degree or degrees meet the requirements for the relevant PhD or doctoral degree programme.

• Academic requirements for the PhD position
  In addition to meeting the general admission requirements, your academic background, knowledge and, where relevant, previous research experience must be suitable for the research project you are applying for.

  The academic requirements can vary considerably between PhD positions. Depending on the project, you may need a background in medicine, natural sciences, life sciences, computer science, data science, statistics or another relevant field. Research, laboratory or programming experience may also be required or considered an advantage for individual projects.

  An interest in a research area – for example, Artificial Intelligence in medicine – is not sufficient on its own. What matters is whether your academic background and experience match the requirements of the specific PhD position. Please read the requirements in the relevant position description carefully before applying.

• English language skills
  You need a good command of English for PhD and doctoral studies. You should be able to read and write academic texts in English and communicate confidently in an academic and research environment.

  Your English language skills must be at least at B2 level. Further information on the requirements and accepted proof of English proficiency is available here.

• Confirmation of supervision
  To be admitted to a PhD or doctoral degree programme, you also need confirmation of supervision from an accredited PhD Supervisor.

  Do not have confirmation of supervision yet? The next section explains how to find a suitable PhD or doctoral position and how to apply.

Applying for a PhD or doctoral position

There are two ways to apply for a PhD or doctoral position: through a PhD Call or by applying directly to a PhD Supervisor. Which route applies to you depends on whether the PhD position you are interested in is currently advertised as part of a PhD Call.

Applying through a PhD Call

A PhD Call gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of advertised PhD positions and research projects across different fields and apply through one application portal.

1. Apply online
If a PhD position is advertised in the current PhD Call, please apply exclusively through our online application portal within the specified application period. You do not need to contact the PhD Supervisors before applying. You may apply for up to three PhD positions at the same time.

2. Selection process and meeting in person
Your application will go through a centrally organised and supported selection process. Selected candidates are invited to visit the Medical University of Vienna. During your visit, you will meet PhD Supervisors and research groups, learn more about the projects and research environment, and meet other candidates.

This gives both you and the research group the opportunity to find out whether the project and working relationship are a good academic and personal fit. You can also start making connections within the PhD community before beginning your studies.

The Medical University of Vienna organises and funds the visit. Throughout the application and selection process, a central team is available to assist you with organisational questions.

3. Confirmation of supervision
The final selection decision involves both the relevant PhD Supervisor and the Selection Board. If you successfully complete the selection process, you will receive confirmation of supervision from a PhD Supervisor and can proceed with the admission process for your PhD or doctoral degree programme.

Current PhD Calls, advertised PhD positions and further information about the online application are available here.

Direct application

If there is no suitable PhD position for your intended research area or project in the current PhD Call, you may apply directly to an accredited PhD Supervisor.

1. Find and contact a PhD Supervisor
For a direct application, you need to identify a suitable accredited PhD Supervisor yourself. Explore the PhD programmes, research areas and accredited PhD Supervisors at the Medical University of Vienna and contact the relevant PhD Supervisor directly.

2. Selection process
The PhD Supervisor determines the application and selection process and informs you of the required steps.

3. Confirmation of supervision
If you successfully complete the selection process, you will receive confirmation of supervision from the PhD Supervisor and can proceed with the admission process for your PhD or doctoral degree programme.

An overview of accredited PhD Supervisors is available here.

What is the difference?

The PhD Call makes it easier to find a suitable PhD position and PhD Supervisor. You can choose from research projects that are currently recruiting and apply for up to three PhD positions at the same time. You do not need to search for available supervision opportunities yourself or contact PhD Supervisors before applying.

The PhD Call also provides a centrally organised and supported selection process. Your application is assessed by a Selection Board, and the final selection decision involves both the relevant PhD Supervisor and the Selection Board. This means that several perspectives are included in the selection process.

Selected candidates are invited to visit the Medical University of Vienna, where they can meet PhD Supervisors, research groups and other candidates and gain first-hand insight into their potential future research environment. This also gives you an opportunity to make your first connections within the PhD community. The visit is organised and funded by the Medical University of Vienna.

For a direct application, you identify and contact a suitable PhD Supervisor yourself. The PhD Supervisor determines the application and selection process and decides whether to offer supervision.

Important: If a PhD position is advertised in the current PhD Call, you cannot apply directly for that position. Please apply exclusively through the online application portal.

Admission and enrolment for PhD and doctoral studies

Once you have received confirmation of supervision from an accredited PhD Supervisor, you can apply for admission to your degree programme.

The following degree programmes are available at the Medical University of Vienna:

• PhD program UN094/UN794620/UN794455
• Doctoral program of Applied Medical Science UN790

1. Submit your online application for admission
Submit your online application for admission and upload all required documents. If you already have an active student or staff account at the Medical University of Vienna, please use your existing MedCampus account. If you have not previously studied or worked at the Medical University of Vienna, please first register as a new user.

You can check the status of your application in MedCampus at any time. If we require additional information or documents, you will be notified there.

2. Assessment of your documents
Once you have submitted your application, the Medical University of Vienna will review your documents. When all required documents have been submitted correctly and in full, and the admission requirements have been met, you will receive the information you need to make the required payments.

3. Pay the required fees on time
Please pay the Austrian Students' Union fee (ÖH fee) and, where applicable, the tuition fee by the specified deadline. Payment by the deadline is required to complete your admission. If payment is not received on time, you may need to submit a new application for admission.

The ÖH fee must be paid for every semester in which you are enrolled. The amount of any applicable tuition fee depends on factors including your residence status and the length of your studies. Tuition fees are mandatory from the ninth semester onwards.

Information about taking a leave of absence from your studies is available here.

4. Complete your enrolment and start your studies
Once the required payments have been received, you will be enrolled in your degree programme. You will then receive the PIN code for activating your MedCampus account and your student ID card. You can now register for courses and begin your research.

5. Register your doctoral thesis
You must submit the registration of your doctoral thesis by the end of your second semester. Registration of your doctoral thesis is a compulsory part of your PhD or doctoral degree programme and contributes to the overall assessment.. 

Which documents do I need for admission?

Only complete applications for admission can be processed. The doctoral thesis concept must be completed electronically in full and must be stamped, dated and signed. Documents must be submitted in German or English, together with any required authentication.

Further information is available under: