Curriculum for the doctoral programme in Humanities, Philosophy and Education

This is only a translation and not a legally binding document. Legally binding are only the documents issued in the University
Gazette.

Curriculum für das Doktoratsstudium der Philosophie in Geistes- und

Kulturwissenschaften, Philosophie und Bildungswissenschaft

English translation: Curriculum for the doctoral programme in Humanities,

Philosophy and Education

Status as of June 2018

University Gazette 2002 Universities Act as of 11 May 2009, 22nd edition, number 165
1st (minor) amendment: University Gazette 2002 Universities Act as of 25 June 2012, 36th
edition, number 253
Typing error corrections: University Gazette 2002 Universities Act as of 29 June 2012, 38th
edition, number 279
Typing error corrections: University Gazette 2002 Universities Act as of 25 July 2012, 41st
edition, number 291
Typing error corrections: University Gazette 2002 Universities Act as of 8 October 2012, 1st
edition, number 4
2nd (minor) amendment: University Gazette 2002 Universities Act as of 29 March 2017, 21st
edition, number 86
3rd amendment University Gazette 2002 Universities Act as of 25 June 2018, 34th edition,
number 168

§ 1 Objectives and qualification profile

(1) The doctoral programme in Philosophy at the University of Vienna serves to further develop
doctoral candidates’ abilities to undertake independent academic work as well as to educate
and promote early stage researchers. The doctoral programme entails independent research of
international standard in the doctoral candidate’s respective field of doctoral research.

(2) The doctoral programme in Philosophy at the University of Vienna enables graduates to
conduct independent research of international standard in their respective field of doctoral
research.

§ 2 Scope of application and entry requirements

(1) This Curriculum applies to students who intend to write a doctoral thesis in a field of
doctoral research that corresponds to one of the bachelor’s or diploma programmes in the
fields of the humanities, cultural studies, philosophy and education (or to a master’s
programme in one of the fields of the humanities and cultural studies which does not offer a
corresponding bachelor’s programme).

It also applies to students who intend to write an interdisciplinary and interinstitutional

doctoral thesis as well as to students who intend to write a doctoral thesis in the field of
psychology with an orientation towards humanities and cultural studies.

(2) In addition to the general prerequisites specified in the 2002 Universities Act, requirements
for admission to the doctoral programme in Philosophy are

a. the completion of an eligible diploma or master’s programme,

b. the completion of an eligible diploma or master’s programme at at a university of
applied sciences based on section 6, para. 4 of the University of Applied Sciences
Studies Act, or
c. the completion of an equivalent degree programme at a recognised domestic or foreign
post-secondary educational institution.
Curriculum for the doctoral programme in Humanities, Philosophy and Education
This is only a translation and not a legally binding document. Legally binding are only the documents issued in the University
Gazette.

(3) If the qualification is basically equivalent and only certain supplementary qualifications are
required to recognise equivalence, the Rectorate is entitled to recognise equivalence subject to
examinations the candidate has to pass during the respective doctoral programme.

§ 3 Qualitative entry requirements

(1) Applicants for the doctoral programme in Philosophy have to undergo a special admission
procedure that assesses whether the applicant fulfils all the qualitative admission
requirements.

(2) The assessment of the applicants’ qualifications is based on the following criteria:

a) Adequate subject-specific and methodological expertise with regard to the intended

doctoral programme and the intended field of doctoral research.
b) Motivation and academic potential to undertake the intended academic work, and
compatibility of the intended doctoral project with a current research area at the
University.
c) Depending on the respective doctoral project, subject-specific and/or project-specific
language skills are a prerequisite.

(3) For the assessment of these criteria, applicants have to provide the following application
documents:

1. Curriculum vitae including a list of publications; evidence of previous professional

experience, e.g. research activities, provided that this is a special qualification required
for the intended doctoral project; and proof of the required language proficiency.
2. Letter of motivation describing the applicant’s personal eligibility for a doctoral
programme at the University of Vienna.
3. Description of the intended doctoral project and the planned link to research at the
University of Vienna in the intended field of doctoral research.
4. Written indication by a member of the Faculty/Centre who is allowed to supervise a
doctoral thesis which states their willingness to supervise the doctoral project in
question according to the stipulations in the section of the University’s Statutes
governing university studies. This indication does not replace the supervisor’s official
confirmation of supervision or the approval of the topic by the competent body
responsible for study matters. If the applicant can demonstrate a compelling reason,
the applicant does not have to submit such an indication.

(4) The competent body responsible for study matters may issue guidelines for the
presentation of the documents described in para. 3 and for the required language skills
pursuant to para. 2, lit c. These guidelines have to be published in due time on its website.

(5) If the written documents are insufficient for reaching a positive or negative decision on the
fulfilment of the qualitative admission requirements, the competent body responsible for study
matters may interview the applicant. The use of video conferencing systems and similar
communication media is permissible subject to the verification of the applicant's identity
without any doubt. The procedure and results of the interview have to be recorded in summary
minutes.

§ 4 Duration and scope

The degree programme duration is 3 years.

§ 5 Structure of the doctoral programme

Curriculum for the doctoral programme in Humanities, Philosophy and Education
This is only a translation and not a legally binding document. Legally binding are only the documents issued in the University
Gazette.

(1) During the doctoral programme, doctoral candidates are required to complete courses (with
continuous and non-continuous assessment) as well as academic activities in relation to their
doctoral project (e.g. attending workshops, holding presentations at international conferences,
handling subject-related aspects in the organisation of academic events, academic practical
courses, teaching, etc.) comprising 24 ECTS credits.

(2) Moreover, to complete the degree programme, candidates are required to submit the
application for approval of the intended doctoral project to the competent body responsible for
study matters, give the public presentation of the intended doctoral project at the Faculty,
obtain the approval of the doctoral thesis agreement, write and complete the doctoral thesis
and receive a positive grade, and complete the public defence. The stipulations in the section
of the University’s Statutes governing university studies apply.

(3) The exact specification of courses that have to be completed by the doctoral candidate as
well as all details about the writing and supervision of the doctoral thesis are recorded in the
doctoral thesis agreement.

§ 6 Submission of the intended doctoral project and public presentation at the

Faculty

(1) The doctoral candidate has to submit an application for approval of the intended doctoral
project within the first year of doctoral studies to the competent body responsible for study
matters in the form of a written research proposal and has to present the intended doctoral
project in a public presentation at the Faculty. For the research proposal, the competent body
responsible for study matters can issue formal specifications the doctoral candidates have to
meet.

(2) For the submission and approval of the intended doctoral project and the public
presentation at the Faculty, the stipulations in the section of the University’s Statutes
governing university studies apply.

§ 7 Doctoral thesis agreement

For the doctoral thesis agreement, the stipulations in the section of the University’s Statutes
governing university studies apply.

§ 8 Doctoral thesis

(1) Doctoral candidates have to write a doctoral thesis, which serves to demonstrate the
candidate’s ability to master academic topics independently.

(2) The completed doctoral thesis has to be submitted to the Studienpräses for assessment.
According to the section of the University’s Statutes governing university studies, the
Studienpräses will forward the thesis to at least two assessors. The appointment of a supervisor
as an assessor is admissible in justified cases. In this case, an external person qualified in the
respective subject has to additionally assess the thesis. In any case, every supervisor of a
doctoral thesis is entitled to present a statement on the doctoral thesis of which the assessors
have to be notified. The assessment has to be made within a maximum period of four months.

(3) If two assessors have been consulted and one of them decides to fail the doctoral thesis, the
competent body responsible for study matters has to consult another assessor.

(4) If two or three assessors have been consulted and two of them decide to fail the doctoral
thesis, the final result is fail.

§ 9 Public defence
Curriculum for the doctoral programme in Humanities, Philosophy and Education
This is only a translation and not a legally binding document. Legally binding are only the documents issued in the University
Gazette.

Provided that all achievements specified in section 5, para. 1 have been completed and the
doctoral thesis has been positively assessed, the doctoral candidate has to pass a final oral
examination (public defence) in front of an examination committee. This single examination
consists of the presentation and defence of the scientific work by the doctoral candidate and
an examination by an examination committee. This examination includes the doctoral thesis
topic and related subject areas.

§ 10 Grading

For grading, the stipulations in the section of the University’s Statutes governing university
studies apply.

§ 11 Course classification

(1) All courses with non-continuous assessment (npi) have to be offered as one of the following
types of courses:

Lectures (Vorlesungen, VO) serve the acquisition of knowledge in the respective field of
doctoral research. At the end of the semester, the doctoral candidates’ knowledge is tested in a
written or oral examination. In fields of doctoral research pertaining to philological and
cultural subjects, lectures are not accepted as achievements to fulfil the requirements specified
in the Curriculum. This generally also applies to fields of doctoral research pertaining to
historical and cultural subjects.

(2) All courses with continuous assessment (pi) have to be offered as one of the following types
of courses:

Seminars for doctoral candidates (DissertantInnenseminare) serve the academic discussion as

well as the expansion of knowledge of the techniques, theories and methods used to address
academic questions. Interdisciplinary seminars for doctoral candidates are offered and graded
by at least two university teachers.

Course participants are assessed on the basis of multiple practical, written or oral assignments
during and at the end of the course.

§ 12 Courses with a limited number of participants and registration procedures

(1) The maximum number of participants in courses with continuous assessment is limited to
25.

(2) Modalities concerning the registration for courses and examinations as well as the
allotment of spots in the courses are governed by the stipulations of the Statutes of the
University of Vienna governing university studies.

§ 13 Examination regulations

(1) Proof of performance in courses

The lecturer of a course is responsible for making the necessary announcements according to
the section of the University’s Statutes governing university studies.

(2) Content of examinations

The examination content relevant to preparing and holding examinations must be in line with
the required number of ECTS credits.

(3) Examination procedure

Curriculum for the doctoral programme in Humanities, Philosophy and Education
This is only a translation and not a legally binding document. Legally binding are only the documents issued in the University
Gazette.

For grading, the stipulations in the section of the University’s Statutes governing university
studies apply.

(4) No double recognition and no dual use

Courses taken and examinations passed in the master's or diploma programme, which
constitute an entry requirement for the doctoral programme, cannot be recognised again in the
doctoral programme.

§ 14 Academic degree

Graduates of the doctoral programme, who have been admitted pursuant to section 2 and
section 3, are awarded the academic degree “Doktor/Doktorin der Philosophie”, abbreviated
as Dr. phil.

§ 15 Entry into force

(1) This Curriculum enters into force upon announcement in the University Gazette of the
University of Vienna on 1 October 2009.

(2) The amendments to the Curriculum as stated in the University Gazette of 25 June 2012,
number 253, edition 36 enter into force on 1 October 2012.

(3) The amendments to the Curriculum as stated in the University Gazette of 29 March 2017,
number 86, edition 21 enter into force on 1 October 2017. Doctoral candidates who already
pursued a doctoral programme in the field of sport science prior to this date, are entitled to
complete their degree programme by 30 November 2020.

(4) The amendments to the Curriculum as stated in the University Gazette of {pubdate2},
number {article_number}, edition {document_number}, enter into force on 1 October 2018
and apply to admissions as of the winter semester of 2018/19. Notwithstanding section 5,
para. 1, the number of ECTS credits to be obtained according to the doctoral thesis agreement
remains valid after this amendment to the Curriculum entered into force and still applies to
doctoral candidates who started the doctoral programme and have already concluded a
doctoral thesis agreement prior to this amendment to the Curriculum.

§ 16 Transitional provisions

(1) This Curriculum applies to all students who commence their degree programme as of the
winter semester of 2009/10.

(2) If, at a later stage of the degree programme, courses are no longer offered which were
compulsory under the original curricula, the competent body responsible for study matters
decides ex officio (equivalence regulation) or at the request of the doctoral candidate which
courses and examinations have to be completed instead.

(3) Students who have started the doctoral programme before the date stated in para. 1 may
voluntarily accept the provisions of this Curriculum by simple confirmation.

(4) The competent body responsible for study matters will be entitled to determine in general
or on a case-by-case basis which of the courses taken and examinations passed will be
recognised for this Curriculum.