Doctoral Programme in Political Science
You would like to deal intensively with a topic in political science?
The doctoral programme in political science provides students with the tools to conduct independent, high-quality research, enabling them to pursue academic careers. Graduates are equipped with skills to take on policy-oriented roles in the private, public and international sectors.
Study code
UC 094 xxx | UC 794 570 xxx
FAQ
Graduates are qualified junior academics. They have mastered the methods applied in research in their area and are capable of critically discussing, analyzing, and further developing theories. Junior academics possess the competence to develop and conduct substantial research projects with scientific integrity, and they are qualified to reflect on these processes scientifically and theoretically. They are also aware of issues and questions in gender research.
The core of the Doctor of Philosophy Programme Political Science is the ability to conduct theoretical and empirical political science research and to contribute this work to the national and international research process through publication. Graduates are capable of teaching political science and further developing theoretical and empirical research methods.
Graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy Programme Political Science possess competences and knowledge to make scientific contributions that meet international research standards and to add these to the international research process, in particular through the dissertation as an independent research project. They are capable of developing research projects independently and creatively and of realizing these projects successfully with the support of national and international research promotion organizations. They are able to communicate with the scientific community about their area of expertise and can present their results to the community as well as work and engage in discussion in interdisciplinary contexts.
Career opportunities for graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy Programme Political Science may be found in universities, research institutions and other post-secondary educational facilities. They are able to fill leadership positions in research facilities of national, transnational and international institutions, in governmental and non-governmental interest groups, in political institutions and in the media. Have a look at some of our former students and their careers.
Graduates tracking: Shows which occupational fields students can enter after graduation.
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Faculty of Social and Political Sciences Examination Office Information for students with disabilities
Curriculum
From the field

Zentrale Studienberatung
Wir sind die erste Anlaufstelle bei allen Fragen rund ums Studium für Schüler*innen, Studieninteressierte und Studierende sowie Eltern und Lehrer*innen.

Erna Appelt mit Gabriele-Possanner-Preis ausgezeichnet
Im Rahmen des vom Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung zum zweiten Mal ausgetragenen Tags der Geschlechterforschung wurden am 5. Dezember die Gabriele-Possanner-Preise in feierlichem Rahmen verliehen. Der Würdigungspreis für ein Lebenswerk im Bereich der Geschlechterforschung ging an die Innsbrucker Politikwissenschaftlerin Erna Appelt.

Arbeiten über Feminismus und Rassismus geehrt
Studierende der Universität Innsbruck konnten sich um den zum siebten Mal ausgeschriebenen Marianne-Barcal-Preis bewerben. Aus sechs Einreichungen kürte die Fachjury zwei Abschlussarbeiten: Katharina Lux erhielt für ihre Dissertation über die feministische Zeitschrift „Die Schwarze Botin“ den Hauptpreis mit 4.000 Euro. Theresa Hämmerle nahm den Förderpreis (2.000 Euro) für ihre Diplomarbeit über das Rassismus- und Regionalbewusstsein in Österreich entgegen.

Die Gedenkstätte Mauthausen – Bericht einer Exkursion
Studierende aller Fakultäten hatten am 13. Jänner 2023 die Möglichkeit, gemeinsam mit Susanne Reitmair-Juárez und Thomas Walli (beide Institut für Politikwissenschaft) die Gedenkstätte des ehemaligen Konzentrationslagers Mauthausen zu besichtigen. Eine Exkursion zu Fragen der Rolle des Konzentrationslagers in seiner unmittelbaren Umgebung, der Unterscheidung zwischen Tätern und Opfern und der Rolle von Gedenkstätten in der heutigen Zeit.