PhD in Natural Sciences

What you study

The Doctoral Programme of Natural Sciences at the University of Graz leads to the degree Doctor of Natural Science (Dr. rer. nat.). You work in one of the specialist areas of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. The programme trains you to address current questions in the natural sciences through research projects. You learn to advance knowledge in your branch of the subject at an international level through your own autonomous research. You also gain skills in critical analysis and in the evaluation and synthesis of complex ideas in your chosen area of expertise.

How the programme is organised

The programme is full-time and lasts six semesters (180 ECTS). It is taught in German and English, so it is partly taught in English. Check with the institution which parts are in which language. When you register for the doctoral programme, you are automatically registered for the doctoral school in your field at the same time. Doctoral schools provide structured supervision and education in the individual fields. The next start of studies listed is the summer term 2027.

Who it suits

This programme suits you if you want to become a junior researcher in the natural sciences. It prepares you for an academic career and for writing your own academic paper. You should be ready to obtain new findings independently and to work at the forefront of research in your specialist area. The programme also builds the skills for critical analysis and for evaluating and synthesising complex ideas.

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. You also need to meet the qualitative admission criteria. The submission deadlines for admission applications vary depending on the doctoral programme, so check the institution's own page for the application period. There is no central application portal: you apply directly to the University of Graz. The teaching language is German and English. Contact the Doctoral Academy at doktorat(at)uni-graz.at or +43 316 380 - 1212 for advice. Personal meetings are by appointment only. The address is Heinrichstraße 22/2, 8010 Graz.

Ziel des Doktoratsstudiums der Naturwissenschaften ist, über die akademische Berufsvorbildung hinaus die Befähigung zu unabhängiger wissenschaftlicher Arbeit zu vermitteln und durch selbständige Erreichung neuer Erkenntnisse an die Spitze der aktuellen Forschung in einem der fachlichen Kompetenzgebiete der Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz heranzuführen.

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.