How the fees work. EU/EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters, then EUR 363.36 per semester. Most other students pay EUR 726.72 per semester (about EUR 1,453 a year); nationals of a list of least developed countries are exempt. The compulsory student union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) is EUR 26.20 per semester.
About this programme
PhD in Law and Politics is a PhD programme at University of Graz in Graz, taught in English. It runs for 3 years (6 semesters) and carries 180 ECTS credits. The register gives Graz as the campus town. It lists the academic degree as Doctor of Philosophy, PhD. University of Graz is a public university in Styria.
What you will study
The PhD in Law and Politics at the University of Graz is a doctoral programme that brings together research and teaching from law and political science. It is taught in English and runs full time over six semesters (180 ECTS).
What you study
The programme combines subjects and disciplines from law and political science at doctoral level. The aim is a problem-oriented understanding of how law and politics interact and depend on each other. You take compulsory and elective courses that give you an insight into current national and international research. The programme teaches the theory and methodological skills you need for research between and into several disciplines. You learn to examine current issues independently and to develop them into specific research projects. Critical and reflective thinking is part of the training, so you can also formulate recommendations for improvements in public policy.
How the programme is organised
It is a full-time doctoral programme with a standard duration of six semesters. The curriculum is made up of compulsory and elective courses. Active participation in these courses is expected. The programme is taught in English. The next start of studies listed on the programme page is the summer term 2027.
Who it suits
This doctorate is for junior researchers who want an interdisciplinary and comparative academic education at the interface between legal and political questions. It suits people who want to work on problems that are better researched from a legal perspective or a political one, and who are ready to make their own contribution to scholarly discourse through autonomous research. If you want to combine law and politics in one research project, this programme is built around that.
Admission, language and next steps
To be admitted, you need a degree or diploma in a relevant subject area from a recognised Austrian or foreign post-secondary institution, and you must meet the qualitative admission criteria. The submission deadlines for admission applications vary depending on the doctoral programme, so check the programme page for the dates that apply. The teaching language is English. There is no central application portal: you apply directly to the University of Graz. For questions, the programme lists the contact phd.law-politics@uni-graz.at and the phone number +43 316 380 6826. The programme page also links to rewi.uni-graz.at for further information.
What the register says
In the course of the doctoral programme the students will learn to independently examine current questions in these disciplines and to develop them into specific research projects, thus making an effective contribution to scholarly discourse through their own autonomous research work. To facilitate this the programme includes comprehensive teaching of the theory and methodological skills needed for academic research between and with different disciplines.
Text as the Austrian national register publishes it. Some entries are in German. For the current content and structure, use the official programme page.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Junior researcher in national and international projects at universities and non-university institutions
- Research roles in public administration
- Academically informed legal and political advice in international organisations
- Legal and political advisory roles in the private sector
- Expert legal and political roles in national and European administrative bodies
- Business functions concerned with strategic management
Before you apply
There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here University of Graz. 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.
Facts on this page come from the Austrian national register (BMFWF open data and studienwahl.at, which states the language of instruction). Fees are in euros as the register lists them. "Not listed" means the register has no figure, not that the programme is free. Always confirm requirements, fees and dates with the institution.
Quick answers
Is PhD in Law and Politics taught in English?
Yes. The register’s study finder lists English as the language of instruction at University of Graz. Confirm the language of the examinations and the thesis with the institution.
How long does it take?
The register records 3 years (6 semesters) of study and 180 ECTS credits. Sixty ECTS credits are one academic year of full-time study.
Where is it taught?
The register lists Graz as the campus town for this programme at University of Graz.
How do I apply?
There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here University of Graz. A public university sets the admission requirements and dates for this level, so read them on the programme page.
Is there an entrance examination?
The register gives: No. Details of any admission or aptitude procedure are on the programme page at University of Graz.
What does it cost?
EU/EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters, then EUR 363.36 per semester. Most other students pay EUR 726.72 per semester (about EUR 1,453 a year); nationals of a list of least developed countries are exempt. The compulsory student union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) is EUR 26.20 per semester. Fees are in euros as the register lists them; confirm the amount for your intake with University of Graz.
Is this programme officially listed?
It comes from the Austrian national register (BMFWF open data and studienwahl.at, which states the language of instruction). The OeAD, the Austrian agency for international education, publishes the official information for international students at studyinaustria.at. The programme page at University of Graz is linked from this page so you can compare.