Doctoral Programme Social and Political Science

Curriculum (2025W)

Doctor of Philosophy

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

Mode of Study
Full-time

Language
English

Requirements
Masterabschluss/equivalent and Language Certificates

Faculty
Faculty of Social and Political Science

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

ISCED-F
0312 Political Sciences and Civics

Study code
UC 094 xxx | UC 794 570 xxx

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The curriculum is the basis of a degree programme. With a look at the curriculum of the doctoral programme in Social and Political Sciences, you will get a detailed overview of the structure, content, examination regulations and qualification profile of this Master's programme.

The curriculum can clarify several important questions before you start your studies. For example, which criteria have to be fulfilled for enrolment in the doctoral programme in Social and Political Sciences, how long the programme takes, which modules have to be completed and much more.

The current curriculum for the doctoral programme in Social and Political Sciences is Curriculum 2025W.

Information on the curriculum (2025W)

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:

With the exception of § 64 par. 5 UG 2002, the general university entrance qualification for admission to a doctoral programme shall be demonstrated by the completion of a relevant diploma programme or master's programme or another relevant programme of at least the same level of higher education at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution. To compensate for substantial subject-related differences, supplementary examinations to the extent of max. 30 ECTS-Credits may be prescribed, which must be taken by the end of the second semester of the doctoral degree programme.

In addition, a dissertation concept is required as a qualitative admission requirement, which approved by a committee formed by the Dean of Studies in analogous application of § 21 of the the dean of studies in analogous application of § 21 of the provisions of the study law which is deemed suitable for the subject and supervisable.

This concept should be organised according to the following points

  • Scope: between 3 and 5 pages
  • Brief discussion of the state of research, including research gaps
  • Problem statement/puzzle and research interest
  • Brief outline of the research design (theoretical embedding, methodological approach)
  • Publication strategy (monograph vs. cumulative)
  • Timline and funding
  •  Bibliography

Modules and Dissertation

AB
Compulsory Modules 10 ECTS-CreditsDissertation 150 ECTS-Credits
Research Design (Exposé) 5 ECTS-Credits; Scientific Communication 2.5 ECTS-Credits; Dissertation Defense (Defensio) 2.5 ECTS-CreditsThe Dissertation is an academic thesis designed to demonstrate the ability to independently address academic research questions. (2) The topic of the Dissertation must be closely related to the degree programme that led to admission to the doctoral programme and must be chosen from the fields of “Communication Studies” or “Political Science”. (3) The completed Dissertation must be submitted to the Director of Studies in electronic form, either as a monograph or as a thematically coherent collection of at least three academic papers accompanied by an introductory text setting out the theoretical framework and conclusions (“Cumulative Dissertation”). (4) A monograph must meet the international quality standards of the relevant field of research. (5) A cumulative Dissertation must meet the following quality criteria: 1. The Dissertation must consist of at least three papers (chapters), preceded by an original text (‘framework text’) which situates the chapters within the broader context of the literature in the relevant field of research and reflects on the relevant theoretical and methodological implications and assumptions. This text must be written solely by the author. 2. The three papers must be suitable for publication and eligible for submission to quality-assured, internationally recognised journals. 3. At least one of the papers must be written solely by the author. 4. At least one of the papers referred to in no. 2 or no. 3 must have been accepted for publication. (6) The student must propose a team of supervisors consisting of at least two supervisors (Dissertation Committee) and designate one member of that team who holds teaching authority (venia docendi) as the principal supervisor. It is permissible to propose supervisors from related disciplines or fields, with the exception of the principal supervisor. In justified individual cases, students may also propose just one supervisor. (7) The student must notify the Director of Studies in writing of the Dissertation topic and the Dissertation supervisors before commencing work on the Dissertation. The topic and supervisors are deemed to have been approved unless the Director of Studies formally objects within one month of receiving the notification (8) The completed Dissertation must be submitted to the Director of Studies in electronic form. It must be accompanied by a statutory declaration confirming that the rules of good academic practice have been followed.
Elective Modules 20 ECTS-Credits
Elective modules covering 20 ECTS-Credits are to be passed, whereby at least one elective module from no. 3 to no. 5 is to be selected: Scientific Writing and Presentation 5 ECTS-Credits; Science Communication and Open Science 5 ECTS-Credits; Qualitative Research Methods 5 ECTS-Credits; Quantitative Research Methods 5 ECTS-Credits; Advanced Research Methods 5 ECTS-Credits; PhD Research Seminar 5 ECTS-Credits; Generic Skills 5 ECTS-Credits

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.

ABCDE
Austrian grading  scheme Definition  %-age
 1 EXCELLENT:  Outstanding performance 63.8= 100%
 2  GOOD:  Generally good, but with some errors 27.2
 3 SATISFACTORY:  Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors 7.4
 4 SUFFICIENT:  Performance meets the minimum criteria 1.6
 5 INSUFFICIENT:  Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work

December 2021


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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