Studying at the University of Innsbruck

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Doctor of Philosophy Programme Psychology 

Faculty	Faculty of Psychology and Sport Science
Duration / ECTS-Credits	6 semesters / 180 ECTS-Credits
Academic Degree	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Qualification Level	Doctorate (Third Cycle) ISCED-11: Level 8, EQF/NQF: Level 8
ISCED-F	0313 Psychology
Mode of Study	Full-Time
Study Code	UC 094 xxx | UC 794 675 xxx
Curriculum	Information on the Curriculum (2009W) *
Language of Instruction	German
Admission Requirements	Relevant diploma or master's degree or equivalent and Language Certificates
Application	Apply ONLINE

* Information on the Curriculum (2009W)

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.

University of Innsbruck Bulletins » (Click to open all University of Innsbruck Bulletins)

Requirements

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

• Diploma Programme Psychology
• Master's Programme Psychology

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 may be prescribed, which must be taken by the end of the second semester of the doctoral degree programme.

The rectorate may determine which of these supplementary examinations are prerequisites for taking examinations provided for in the curriculum of the doctoral degree programme.

Modules and Dissertation

Compulsory Modules 30 ECTS-Credits

Dissertation 150 ECTS-Credits

Generic Skills 2,5 ECTS-Credits Research Workshop I  5 ECTS-Credits Research Workshop II 2,5 ECTS-Credits Presentation of own Research Results 12,5 ECTS-Credits Doctoral Thesis Defence 7,5 ECTS-Credits

The dissertation is a piece of scientific work which – in contrast to a diploma or master‘s thesis – serves to prove the student's ability to cope with scientific questions in an independent way. The dissertation can consist of articles that are related in terms of subject matter or methods. The quality criteria mentioned in the curriculum are valid. The dissertation topic has to be chosen from one or more of the following fields: general psychology, methodology of psychology, developmental psychology, personality psychology and differential psychology, social psychology, biological psychology, applied psychology, clinical psychology, diagnostics, or psychopathology. If the articles were written by several authors, the student's own contribution must be shown clearly and 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 Director of Studies. A prospectus comprising several pages must be submitted, including the dissertation plan based on the current state of research of the chosen topic area. 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.

Qualification Profile and Skills

Graduates possess a systematic understanding of their discipline and have mastered the methods applied in the field. They have excellent knowledge of the relevant literature. Through the submission of an original piece of scientific work that is fully capable of withstanding the scrutiny of colleagues, nationally and internationally, graduates have contributed to the expansion of knowledge in their discipline. They identify scientific issues and are able to analyse them critically. Graduates possess the competence to develop and conduct significant research projects with scientific integrity.

Graduates are able to promote the societal, scientific and/or cultural progress of a knowledge-based society in academic and non-academic contexts. Graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy Programme Psychology are qualified to organize scientific forums, discuss findings with colleagues, students and experts, and to present findings to student and academic audiences and interested laypeople. They possess the competence to look beyond the borders of their own discipline and participate constructively in interdisciplinary discourses. The following areas of knowledge and skills are essential:

1. Knowledge and understanding;

2. Methodological competences;

3. Communicative competences

4. Competences for academic careers.

Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and Career Opportunities

The acquired key qualifications and general abilities qualify graduates to adapt their expertise to rapidly changing demands. Graduates are capable of addressing psychological issues scientifically, meeting international subject-specific standards. In particular, graduates are able to pursue activities in teaching- and research-oriented fields.

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.

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) »

Information about the Programme (in German only)

• Information about the PhD- and Doctoral Programmes
• Submission of the Dissertation
• Deadlines
• Guidelines for electronic submission and publication of academic theses and Instruction

Forms (in German only)

• Examination Records
• Application of the Dissertation (including Exposè)
• Cover Sheet of the Dissertation
• Declaration of Academic Honesty
  
• Submission of the Dissertation
• To block the Dissertation
• Application of the Dissertation's Defense
• Recognition of exams

Contact and Information

Examination Office
Standort Innrain 52d

associate Dean of Studies (from 01.03.2024)
Mag. Dr. Christine Unterrainer
OR Mag. Dietmar Kratzer

Dean of Studies
Ass.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Michael Barth, Bakk. MSc

Information for students with disabilities