MODUL University Vienna’s PhD in Business and Socioeconomic Sciences is a four year, full-time doctoral studies program that prepares candidates for making innovative research contributions in industry-related areas of specialization.  Based on the unique research orientation of the five MODUL University departments, incoming PhD candidates can focus their own doctoral studies from among the following concentrations:

• Information Systems
• Marketing
• Sustainable Development
• Public Governance
• Service Management
• Tourism
• Leisure Science
• Quality of Life, Well-being and Environmental Psychology

The doctoral program targets those interested in research careers in either higher education or industry and is ideal for prospective candidates already holding a master’s degree (or equivalent) in either business or one of the social sciences.

The PhD in Business and Socioeconomic Sciences curriculum prepares qualified candidates in state-of-the-art approaches to conducting scholarly and applied research. The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to finding solutions to research problems, drawing upon advanced concepts and methods from business management, economics, policy studies, sociology, and philosophy of science. Required foundation courses are taught in theory, methods, and research design.

Program coursework is conducted in English, and candidates are expected to actively participate in teaching or research, publication, and conference activities. Customized research seminars in the candidate’s area of concentration help to familiarize and develop critical understanding in both classical and cutting-edge concepts, theories, models and methods of analysis. After completing a set of core course and a variety of tailor-made seminars, PhD candidates undertake individual, original research on a dissertation topic that will contribute to the advancement of the chosen area of specialization.

Prospective PhD candidates have several paths to admission. Please see below or visit our admissions page to learn more.

• Researcher/Lecturer: A call for new Lecturer / Researcher positions goes out annually in February or March. Applicants selected are granted a tuition waiver and receive an employment contract as researcher, teacher, and/or administrator at MODUL University Vienna.
• Scholarship Partner Agreement: PhD candidates are granted a tuition waiver while simultaneously working for a sponsoring industry partner.  For more information, click here.
• Research Scholarship: A tuition waiver is granted to candidates working on externally-funded research grants.
• Self-paying: Candidates are responsible for financing their studies.

The PhD program consists of coursework, preliminary (comprehensive) exams, and a dissertation. PhD candidates are expected to actively participate in teaching, publication, and conference activities. All full-time PhD candidates are provided with with a university office.

PhD graduates are prepared to become leaders within their fields. Successful completion of the PhD program paves the way for challenging career opportunities in higher education, research institutes, think tanks, government agencies, international organizations engaged in policy development and analysis, NGO’s, private-sector corporations, or consulting firms.