PhD in Migration Studies

What you study

The PhD in Migration Studies at the University for Continuing Education Krems is a research doctorate. You work on migration drivers and processes, migration governance, and questions of integration and social cohesion. The programme combines interdisciplinary perspectives with a strong focus on these themes. You engage with the core theories, concepts and debates that define the field, and with current developments. The curriculum has compulsory and elective modules taught by the core faculty of the Department for Migration and Globalisation, with some courses offered by other departments. You can bring your own expertise into the classroom. Externally attended courses can be recognised if they fit thematically and have a comparable workload.

How the programme is organised

The doctorate runs for three years (six semesters) and earns 180 ECTS. Coursework makes up 30 ECTS, six scientific colloquia make up 12 ECTS, the PhD thesis makes up 133 ECTS and the oral defence (viva) makes up 5 ECTS. The programme encourages a cumulative dissertation: three scholarly papers plus a framework text that integrates them. You can also submit a monograph. The programme is accredited by AQ Austria. It is research-led, with small class sizes and intensive supervision. All PhD candidates are either employed in internationally funded research projects hosted by the Department for Migration and Globalisation or seconded from partner organisations. The programme does not admit unfunded students and does not offer university-sponsored grants. The learning format is on campus in Krems.

Who it suits

This doctorate is for the next generation of scientists with a genuine interest in migration research. You need a master's degree in the social sciences or a related discipline and English at minimum level C1. The programme suits people who want to work closely with faculty on a dissertation project and who are ready to present their work in a formal hearing. It also suits those who can develop a project proposal for competitive individual funding, for example from the Lower Austrian Science Fund, the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Austria Science Fund or Marie Curie.

Admission, language and next steps

Admission follows a two-stage process: third-party funded PhD positions are announced, then the PhD Commission runs the selection procedure. The Commission selects on the basis of your application documents and the presentation of your dissertation project. You submit a detailed project proposal covering your dissertation topic, research questions, theoretical framework, methodological approach and intended outcomes. You then take part in a formal hearing with an evaluation panel of three to four core faculty members, each of whom independently completes a standardised evaluation form. The faculty decides on admission based on the aggregated assessments. In many cases an external evaluation tied to third-party funding comes before or alongside this internal selection. Required documents are a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, master's degree certificate, project proposal, recommendation letters and references, and proof of identity. The teaching language is English. Check the programme website for vacancies or contact faculty about developing a project proposal for competitive individual funding. Applications go directly to the institution, whose own page gives the application period.

The PhD programme in Migration Studies serves to further develop the students’ ability to conduct independent academic work according to international standards and in an international (English-speaking) environment and to train and promote young academics after completing a traditional degree (Diplomstudium) or master's programme.

There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here University for Continuing Education Krems. A public university sets the admission requirements and dates for this level, so read them on the programme page. Entrance examination, as the register states it: No. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.