Doctoral Programme in Political Science
You would like to deal intensively with a topic in political science?
The doctoral programme in political science provides students with the tools to conduct independent, high-quality research, enabling them to pursue academic careers. Graduates are equipped with skills to take on policy-oriented roles in the private, public and international sectors.
Study code
UC 094 xxx | UC 794 570 xxx
FAQ
Graduates are qualified junior academics. They have mastered the methods applied in research in their area and are capable of critically discussing, analyzing, and further developing theories. Junior academics possess the competence to develop and conduct substantial research projects with scientific integrity, and they are qualified to reflect on these processes scientifically and theoretically. They are also aware of issues and questions in gender research.
The core of the Doctor of Philosophy Programme Political Science is the ability to conduct theoretical and empirical political science research and to contribute this work to the national and international research process through publication. Graduates are capable of teaching political science and further developing theoretical and empirical research methods.
Graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy Programme Political Science possess competences and knowledge to make scientific contributions that meet international research standards and to add these to the international research process, in particular through the dissertation as an independent research project. They are capable of developing research projects independently and creatively and of realizing these projects successfully with the support of national and international research promotion organizations. They are able to communicate with the scientific community about their area of expertise and can present their results to the community as well as work and engage in discussion in interdisciplinary contexts.
Career opportunities for graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy Programme Political Science may be found in universities, research institutions and other post-secondary educational facilities. They are able to fill leadership positions in research facilities of national, transnational and international institutions, in governmental and non-governmental interest groups, in political institutions and in the media. Have a look at some of our former students and their careers.
Graduates tracking: Shows which occupational fields students can enter after graduation.
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Faculty of Social and Political Sciences Examination Office Information for students with disabilities
Curriculum
The curriculum is the basis of a degree programme. With a look at the curriculum of the doctoral programme in Political Science, you will get a detailed overview of the structure, content, examination regulations and qualification profile of this Master's programme.
The curriculum can clarify several important questions before you start your studies. For example, which criteria have to be fulfilled for enrolment in the doctoral programme in Political Science, how long the programme takes, which modules have to be completed and much more.
The current curriculum for the doctoral programme in Political Science is Curriculum 2025W.
Information on the curriculum (2025W)
The complete version of the curriculum reflects the currently valid version of the curriculum. It is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding. The legally binding version of the curriculum, including any amendments, may be found in the University of Innsbruck Bulletins.
In order to determine which version of the curriculum is applicable in your case, see the Catalogue of Studies,
available at: https://lfuonline.uibk.ac.at/public/lfuonline_meinestudien.studienblatt
Section: Current Curriculum version.
Requirements
Relevant master's or diploma degrees at the University of Innsbruck:
- Diploma Programme Political Science
- Master's Programme Media, Society and Communication
- Master's Programme Political Science: European and International Studies
- Master's Programme Political Science
Proof of general university entrance qualification:
With the exception of § 64 par. 5 UG 2002, the general university entrance qualification for admission to a doctoral programme shall be demonstrated by the completion of a relevant diploma programme or master's programme or another relevant programme of at least the same level of higher education at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution. To compensate for substantial subject-related differences, supplementary examinations to the extent of max. 30 ECTS-Credits may be prescribed, which must be taken by the end of the second semester of the doctoral degree programme.
In addition, a dissertation concept is required as a qualitative admission requirement, which approved by a committee formed by the Dean of Studies in analogous application of § 21 of the the dean of studies in analogous application of § 21 of the provisions of the study law which is deemed suitable for the subject and supervisable.
Modules and Dissertation
| A | B |
|---|---|
| Compulsory Modules 10 ECTS-Credits | Dissertation 150 ECTS-Credits |
| Dissertation Project 5 ECTS-Credits Scientific Writing and Publishing (Going Public)2,5 ECTS-Credits Doctoral Thesis Defence 2,5 ECTS-Credits | The dissertation is a piece of scientific work which – in contrast to a diploma or master‘s thesis – serves to prove the student's ability to cope with scientific questions in an independent manner. The dissertation topic is to be chosen from the field of political science. The student has to propose a team of supervisors consisting of at least two people (dissertation committee) and to nominate one of them as the supervisor mainly responsible. It is permissible to propose supervisors (with the exception of the main supervisor) from subject‐related fields. In justifiable exceptional cases it is possible for students to propose only one supervisor. The student has to communicate the dissertation topic and the names of the supervisors in writing to the Director of Studies prior to beginning the work. Topic and supervisors are considered as accepted, if the Director of Studies does not veto them by means of a decree within one month after the receipt of the proposal. |
| Elective Modules 10 ECTS-Credits | |
| Elective Modules, equal to 20 ECTS-Credits, must be completed. Research Designs and Methods I5 ECTS-Credits Research Designs and Methods II5 ECTS-Credits Scientific Writing and Presentation I5 ECTS-Credits Scientific Writing and Presentation II5 ECTS-Credits Current Discussions in Political Science I5 ECTS-Credits Current Discussions in Political Science II5 ECTS-Credits PhD Seminar I5 ECTS-Credits PhD Seminar II5 ECTS-Credits Generic Skills5 ECTS-Credits |
Information about examination regulations, assessment and grading
Examination regulations
The examination regulation is an integral part of the curriculum, detailed information can be found under the paragraph examination regulations.
The grade distribution table is a statistical representation of the distribution of all successfully completed examinations in a given programme of study or subject (based on all registered students for the programme or subject). The grade distribution table is updated in regular intervals.
| A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austrian grading scheme | Definition | %-age | ||
| 1 | EXCELLENT: Outstanding performance | 63.8 | = 100% | |
| 2 | GOOD: Generally good, but with some errors | 27.2 | ||
| 3 | SATISFACTORY: Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors | 7.4 | ||
| 4 | SUFFICIENT: Performance meets the minimum criteria | 1.6 | ||
| 5 | INSUFFICIENT: Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work |
December 2021
Overall classification of the qualification
Not applicable
Explanation: An overall classification (mit Auszeichnung bestanden/pass with distinction, bestanden/pass, nicht bestanden/fail) – is awarded only for examinations that conclude a programme of study and consist of more than one subject (an examination of this type is not specified in the curriculum of this programme of study).
Contact and Information
Examination Office
Location Universitätsstraße 15
Associate Dean of Studies
Assoz. Prof. Mag. Dr. Franz Eder
Dean of Studies (from 01.03.2024)
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wilhelmus Johannes Gerardus Uunk
Informations for students with disabilities
Disability Office
Information on the study programme
Older curricula can be found in the archive Course Catalog
From the field
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Student Advisory Service
We are the first point of contact for all questions about studying for pupils, prospective students and students as well as parents and teachers.
