Doctoral Programme Engineering Sciences

Curriculum (2026W)

Doktorin/Doktor der technischen Wissenschaften (Dr. techn.)

Duration/ ECTS-Credits
6 semesters / 180 ECTS-Credits

Mode of Study
Full-Time

Language
German / English

Admission Requirements 
Relevant diploma or master's degree or equivalent and Language Certificates

Faculty 
Faculty of Engineering Sciences

Qualification Level
Doctorate (Third Cycle)
ISCED-11: Level 8, EQF/NQF: Level 8

Study Code
UC 786 xxx | UC 796 700 xxx

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Information on the Curriculum (2026W)

The complete version of the curriculum reflects the currently valid version of the curriculum. It is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding. The legally binding version of the curriculum, including any amendments, may be found in the University of Innsbruck Bulletins.

In order to determine which version of the curriculum is applicable in your case, see the Catalogue of Studies,
 available at: https://lfuonline.uibk.ac.at/public/lfuonline_meinestudien.studienblatt
Section: Current Curriculum version.

Requirements

Relevant master's or diploma degrees at the University of Innsbruck:


Proof of general university entrance qualification:

Admission to the Doctoral Programme in Engineering Sciences requires the completion of a relevant diploma or Master’s programme, a relevant diploma or Master’s programme at a university of applied sciences, or another programme at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution, which does not differ significantly from the diploma or Master’s programmes referred to in paragraph 2.

To compensate for significant subject-specific differences, supplementary examinations totalling a maximum of 30 ECTS credits may be required, which must be taken by the end of the second semester of the doctoral programme.

In addition, a qualitative admission requirement is a dissertation concept which has been deemed academically suitable and suitable for supervision by a committee to be formed by the Dean of Studies in accordance with the provisions of § 21 of the Study Regulations.

Modules and Dissertation

AB
Compulsory Modules  25 ECTS-CreditsDissertation 150 ECTS-Credits
Conception of the Doctoral Thesis 2.5 ECTS-Credits Scientific Methods and Presentation Skills 5 ECTS-Credits Scientific Specialisation 2.5 ECTS-Credits Presentation of Own Research Results  5 ECTS-CreditsGeneric Skills 5 ECTS-Credits Doctoral Thesis Defence 5 ECTS-Credits The dissertation topic has to be chosen from one of the scientific subjects represented at the Faculty of Engineering Sciences and has to show a scientific relation to an examination subject defined by the curriculum of the respective field of study. The dissertation can also consist of a minimum of three articles (peer-reviewed) that are related in terms of subject matter or methods. The quality criteria mentioned in the curriculum are valid. If the articles were written by several authors, the student's own contribution must be clearly shown and must be added to the dissertation. The student has to propose a team of supervisors, consisting of at least two people (dissertation committee), and to nominate one of them as the supervisor mainly responsible. It is permissible to propose supervisors (with the exception of the main supervisor) from subject-related fields. In justifiable exceptional cases it is possible for students to propose only one supervisor. Prior to beginning the work, the student has to communicate the dissertation topic and names of the supervisors in writing to the body responsible for study law. Topic and supervisors are considered as accepted, if the body responsible for study law does not veto them by means of a decree within one month after the receipt of the proposal.  
Elective Module 5 ECTS-Credits
One elective module – equal to 5 ECTS-Credits – has to be completed.

Qualification Profile and Skills

The Doctoral Programme Engineering Sciences at the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, University of Innsbruck, is designed to further develop students’ ability to carry out independent academic research, as well as to train and support the next generation of academics, building on relevant Diploma and Master’s programmes. The qualification of ‘Doctor of Engineering Sciences’ obtained through this programme is internationally comparable to that of a relevant ‘Doctor of Philosophy’ (PhD) programme, which concludes with the academic degree of ‘Doctor of Philosophy’ (PhD).

Expected Learning Outcomes for the Doctorate

By submitting a doctoral thesis, which serves as evidence of their ability to independently resolve a scientific problem in the field of engineering at a high academic level in a scientifically sound and methodologically rigorous manner, graduates have made their own contribution to research, one that expands the frontiers of knowledge and stands up to scrutiny by experts in the field. To achieve these objectives, students on the doctoral programme deepen and broaden the knowledge acquired during a relevant Master’s or diploma programme through specialised courses and self-study.

Graduates of the Doctoral Programme Engineering Sciences have a systematic understanding of their research discipline and have mastered the methods used in research in this field. They possess the competence to plan and carry out research work independently, to develop their own original contributions to research topics in engineering sciences, and to publish the research findings in renowned national and international specialist journals, and to present and defend them at national and international conferences.

The quality and international focus of the programme promote graduates’ mobility and broaden their perspective beyond the boundaries of their own discipline. The key skills acquired enable graduates to adapt their specialist expertise to rapidly changing requirements.

Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and career Opportunities

Graduates of the Doctoral Programme Engineering Sciences are equipped to tackle complex problems in basic and applied research in engineering in accordance with recognised scientific standards. In particular, they are prepared for research roles in industry, business and the public sector, as well as for teaching and research positions at universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions.

Information about examination regulations, assessment and grading

Examination regulations

The examination regulation is an integral part of the curriculum, detailed information can be found under the paragraph examination regulations.

The grade distribution table is a statistical representation of the distribution of all successfully completed examinations in a given programme of study or subject (based on all registered students for the programme or subject). The grade distribution table is updated in regular intervals.

Austrian grading  scheme Definition  %-age
 1 EXCELLENT= 100%
 2  GOOD
 3 SATISFACTORY
 4 SUFFICIENT
 5 INSUFFICIENT

will be updated


Overall classification of the qualification

Not applicable
Explanation: An overall classification (mit Auszeichnung bestanden/pass with distinction, bestanden/pass, nicht bestanden/fail) – is awarded only for examinations that conclude a programme of study and consist of more than one subject (an examination of this type is not specified in the curriculum of this programme of study).

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