Program Overview

PHD in Business and Socioeconomic Sciences

Overview

Modul University Vienna’s PhD in Business and Socioeconomic Sciences is a four-year, full-time program that prepares candidates for making innovative research contributions in industry-related areas of specialization.

Why Choose This Program?

The PhD 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. It prioritizes independent teaching, nurtures talented academics, and promotes engagement with the industry through projects and presentations.

Research Areas

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

Study Plan

Mandatory Courses

PhD candidates complete courses in various modules including:

• Theory Building and Methodology: Principles of philosophy of science, theory building, and research design.
• Research Methods: Practical aspects of quantitative and qualitative techniques for business and social science research.
• Research Seminars: Customized courses on state-of-the-art problems and approaches in the program's themes.
• Research Communication and Collaboration: Opportunities for exchanging insights, scientific writing, pedagogical training, and teaching experience.

Dissertation

Candidates must successfully complete an original and independent dissertation supervised by an internal or external faculty member. It can be a single-authored monograph or a compilation of three single-authored manuscripts (cumulative dissertation) linked to a focused research area.

Examinations

PhD candidates must complete the following examinations:

• Preliminary Exam: Covers content from foundation coursework and research seminars.
• Dissertation Proposal: Involves submitting a research proposal and forming a PhD committee.
• Dissertation Defense: Oral presentation and examination of the completed dissertation.

Admissions

When applying to Modul University Vienna for a PhD, you will need to meet the following admissions entry requirements and provide your documents in English through our online portal.

• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation Statement
• Research Proposal*
• Bachelor (3-year) and Master (2-year) diploma
• Bachelor and Master Transcripts including supplements
• One example of a research publication or report (optional)
• Copy of passport
• Photo
• Two letters of recommendation from academic sources
• English proficiency level C1

Tuition Fees

Program | Semesters | Fees / Semester ---|---|--- PHD in Business and Socioeconomic Sciences | 8 | €7000

Student Housing

Austrian universities typically do not have their own student housing accommodations. Instead, students in Vienna have a variety of excellent housing providers located throughout the city. Wherever you choose to live, there are some factors that you might want to consider in making your choice.

• Student Accommodation

Lecturers and Supervisors

Our faculty members are highly respected experts within their local and international professional associations. The international experiences and global networks of faculty advance the university’s research. The promotion of young academics is an essential component of Modul University Vienna's mission and academic outreach.

For this reason, we have a range of research proposals and topics from our faculty that PhD applicants can apply to also work on. You will still need to provide a comprehensive summary of scientific knowledge and concrete description of a planned methodology, including data, materials used and statistical evaluation, a sketch of potential results and the anticipated limitations of the conclusions.