Information about doctoral Programmes

At Paris Lodron University Salzburg, doctoral students are regarded as young scientists. Today, a doctorate is seen less as further training in a specific subject and more as a stepping stone to a career in science.

Before beginning doctoral studies, consider whether the requirements and characteristics of the profession of “researcher” match your interests, goals, and qualifications. The doctoral program comprises six semesters (180 ECTS) and concludes with the academic degree of “Doctor.” As part of your studies, you will write a scientific thesis – the dissertation – which you will defend in a rigorous examination.

To get an overview of the doctoral program, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the four phases of the program. Detailed information on quality assurance can be found in the Standards and Recommendations of the Rectorate and the Senate. For further details on the content of the doctoral program, please refer to the curriculum and guidelines. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant contact persons at the faculties.

 

Doctorate

The doctoral program is divided into four phases – from admission to the oral examination. A detailed description of the individual steps can be found in the relevant guidelines and study plans.

 

Quality

Detailed information on quality assurance in doctoral studies can be found in the standards and recommendations of the Rectorate and the Senate.

Curriculum

The content of the doctoral program is specified in the study plans and guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact the relevant contact persons at the respective faculties.

Is a doctorate the right choice for me?

A doctoral program is a demanding challenge that should be carefully considered. In the coming years, research and intensive work on your dissertation project will take center stage and have a significant impact on your life.

Your motivation for pursuing a doctorate should be based primarily on your desire to engage intensively with a specific field of research over a longer period of time. In addition, you should ask yourself whether you are aiming for a career in academia and to what extent a doctorate can contribute to your professional success.

Checklist for making a decision

Before you start a doctoral program, consider the following questions. You will be better able to orient yourself if you can answer “yes” to most of the points:

• Motivation and interest: “Do I have a clear idea of my chosen topic and am I highly motivated to work on it over a longer period of time?”
• Field of research: “Does my topic fall within an existing field of research and does it offer the opportunity to gain new scientific insights?”
• Supervision: “Can my dissertation project be supervised at the University of Salzburg? Have I already found a person at the University of Salzburg who is qualified to supervise my project? And have I discussed the research question with this person?”
• Time and organization: “Am I aware of the time and organizational effort involved, and can I adapt my life situation accordingly?”
• Career goals: “Is a doctorate the right way to achieve my career goals? Or might other programs, such as a career-oriented master’s degree or a university course, be more suitable?”

Further support

Below you will find helpful resources for identifying the skills, knowledge, and competencies that are important for a successful academic career:

The doctoral test on  academics.at offers more support for self-location and orientation.