Doctor of Philosophy Programme
Ancient History and Ancient Near Eastern Studies

As of winter semester 2014/2015 this programme is no longer open to new entrants. For information on the succeeding doctoral programme please consult this page »

Faculty Faculty of Philosophy and History
Duration/ ECTS-Credits 6 semesters / 180 ECTS-Credits
Academic Degree Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Qualification Level Doctorate (Third Cycle)
Mode of Study Full-Time
Study Code C 094 xxx | C 794 545 xxx
Curriculum
Information on the Curriculum (2009W) *
Admission Requirements Relevant diploma or master's degree or equivalent


* Information on the Curriculum (2009W)

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.

Description of the applied grading system (including the grade distribution table) »

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:
 Outstanding performance
85.6
= 100%

 2

 GOOD:
 Generally good, but with some errors
12.2
 3  SATISFACTORY:
 Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors
2.2
 4  SUFFICIENT:
 Performance meets the minimum cirteria

 5  INSUFFICIENT:
 Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work
     

March 2019

 
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).

Requirements

Relevant diploma or master's degree or equivalent:


Criteria for the determination of equivalence:

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy Programme Ancient History and Ancient Near Eastern Studies requires a university (diploma or) master's degree in a thematically relevant field. Master's or diploma degrees awarded by universities of applied sciences ("Fachhochschulen") are considered on an individual basis.

In the event that equivalence has been established in principle but with certain qualifications missing for full equivalence, supplemental examinations may be required. These examinations must be completed during the doctoral degree programme.

Modules and Dissertation

Compulsory Modules
52 ECTS-Credits
Dissertation
120 ECTS-Credits

Reflection on Methods
2 ECTS-Credits

Generic Skills
10 ECTS-Credits

Interdisciplinary Forum for PhD Candidates
4 ECTS-Credits

Reflection on Research
5 ECTS-Credits

Active Participation in Scientific Discourse  
10 ECTS-Credits

Traineeship in Academic Scholarship and Research
10 ECTS-Credits

Expertise: Ancient History and Ancient Near East Studies
6 ECTS-Credits

Doctoral Thesis Defence
5 ECTS-Credits

The dissertation is a scientific piece of work which – in contrast to a diploma or master thesis – serves to prove the student's ability to cope with scientific questions in an independent way.

The dissertation topic has to be chosen from the field of ancient history, ancient oriental languages or Middle-Eastern archeology. In addition, interdisciplinary topics are possible.

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 Director of Studies. Topic and supervisors are considered as accepted, if the Director of Studies does not veto them by means of a decree within one month after the receipt of the proposal.

Elective Modules
8 ECTS-Credits

Two elective modules must be completed.



Qualification Profile and Skills

The Doctor of Philosophy Programme Ancient History and Ancient Near Eastern Studies belongs to the group of the humanities and cultural studies and aims at educating and training scientists and highly qualified junior professionals for research and teaching at universities and associated institutions as well as for other higher occupational positions. Students enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy Programme Ancient History and Ancient Near Eastern Studies can choose one of the following as their specialisation: ancient history, ancient oriental languages, or Middle-Eastern archaeology.

Central educational objectives of the Doctor of Philosophy Programme Ancient History and Ancient Near Eastern Studies include a systematic understanding of the research discipline and understanding of related methods. Through their submission of an original piece of scientific work, graduates of this programme are required to make their own contribution to research which widens boundaries of knowledge and conforms to the evaluation standards of international experts. They develop scientific questions and independently subject these to critical analysis. This requires the competence of independently designing and carrying out significant research projects with scientific integrity.

Expected Learning Outcomes for the Doctorate

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.

Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and Career Opportunities

Research and teaching in universities and non-university institutions as well as other senior professional careers.
 

Examination Office
Standort Innrain 52d Piktogramm barrierefreier Zugang

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