PHD in Business and Socioeconomic Sciences

240

ECTS credits

8

semesters

30

max. students

€8.000

per semester

WHY CHOOSE THIS PROGRAM?

The PhD in Business and Socioeconomic Sciences at Modul University Vienna is a four-year, full-time program that supports candidates in becoming independent researchers and producing innovative, high-quality research. Embedded within the university’s distinctive research environment, PhD candidates contribute to questions relevant to both academia and professional practice.

Deepen Expertise Through Customized Research Training

PhD candidates participate in tailored seminars aligned with their chosen concentration. These seminars strengthen understanding of:

Classical and contemporary theories
Research design and research methods
Cutting-edge concepts in business and socioeconomic sciences
Taught entirely in English, the program promotes active involvement in teaching, research, publications, and international conferences.

Two Program Paths – Multiple Ways to Succeed

The PhD program offers flexible admission routes to accommodate different academic backgrounds and research interests:

Fast-Track Option

Apply to a predefined research topic proposed by an MU Vienna faculty member, allowing for a streamlined entry into ongoing research projects.

Custom Proposal Option

Submit an original research proposal. If the topic aligns with the expertise of an MU faculty member, a suitable supervisor will be assigned.

An Individual Research Journey with Expert Supervision

Following the structured coursework phase, candidates embark on an individual research path under close faculty supervision.
Each PhD candidate develops, writes, and defends a dissertation that advances knowledge within their chosen specialization.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to explore MU Vienna’s concentration areas and supervision expertise to ensure strong alignment with their research goals.

Research-Oriented Across Diverse Concentrations

Candidates work within the research focus of one of MU Vienna’s established departments, allowing them to specialize while benefiting from interdisciplinary perspectives.

Available concentrations include: Marketing, Sustainable Development & Management, Public Governance, Service Management, Tourism & Leisure Science, Human Resource Management, Information Systems

Please note: All proposed topics must fall within the research areas of MU Vienna professors to be approved.

Astrid Dickinger

School Head and Program Area Director

”

As Dean of the PhD in Business and Socioeconomic Sciences at Modul University Vienna, I take great pride in offering an intellectually stimulating and internationally recognized program. Our PhD candidates benefit from close mentorship, a strong interdisciplinary focus, and access to cutting-edge research opportunities. We work closely with our students throughout their four-year journey, providing continuous guidance and fostering their development into well-rounded scholars. Located within a thriving startup ecosystem and host to numerous international organizations, Vienna offers an exceptional setting for academic advancement and global engagement. This program is not only an academic endeavor, but also a launchpad for impactful careers in academia, policy, and industry.

Study Plan

Mandatory Courses

PhD candidates complete courses in various modules including:

Module I Theory Building and Methodology: Philosophy of science, logic of social science research, and research design.
Module II Research Methods: Practical aspects of quantitative and qualitative techniques for business and social science research.
Module III Research Seminars: Courses on the state-of-the-field of the program's topics.
Module IV Research Communication and Collaboration: Opportunities for exchanging insights, scientific writing, pedagogical training, and teaching experience.

Examinations

PhD candidates must complete the following examinations:

Preliminary Exam: Covers content from foundation coursework.
Dissertation Proposal Defense: Involves defending a research proposal and receiving feedback by a PhD committee.
Dissertation Defense: Oral presentation and examination of the completed dissertation.

Dissertation

Candidates must successfully complete an original and independent dissertation supervised by a faculty member. It can be a single-authored monograph or a compilation of three single-authored manuscripts (cumulative dissertation) linked to a focused research area.

Career Prospects for PHD in Business and Socioeconomic Sciences

The PhD in Business and Socioeconomic Sciences program prepares scholars and experts to lead advanced research and policy analysis at the intersection of business and socioeconomic systems. Graduates pursue careers in academia, government, think tanks, and consulting, working with universities, international organizations, and research institutes to shape economic and social development worldwide.

Universities and Research Centers
International Organizations
National Governments and Ministries (Finance, Economy, Labor)
Think Tanks (e.g., Brookings Institution, European Policy Centre)
Consulting Firms (e.g., McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte)
NGOs focused on socioeconomic development and social innovation

University Professor / Academic Researcher
Policy Analyst / Economic Advisor
Socioeconomic Consultant
Senior Research Fellow
Strategic Advisor / Think Tank Analyst
Economic Development Specialist
Business Analyst / Innovation Consultant
Public Policy Researcher

Academia & Higher Education
Government & Public Policy
International Organizations & Think Tanks
Economic Development Agencies
Consulting Firms
NGOs and Social Enterprises
Research Institutes
Corporate Strategy & Innovation

PHD Program Admissions

When applying to Modul University Vienna for a PhD, you will need to meet the following admissions entry requirements and provide your documents in English through our online portal.

Curriculum Vitae

Motivation Statement
Research Proposal*
Bachelor (3-year) and Master (2-year) diploma
Bachelor and Master Transcripts including supplements
One example of a research publication or report (optional)
Copy of passport
Photo
Two letters of recommendation from academic sources
English proficiency level C1

*Please submit all the documents in a pdf format

All PhD applicants must provide proof of their English proficiency, at minimum level C1 - according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - through a test taken within the last two years.

ACCEPTED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR PHD APPLICANTS:

TOEFL Internet-Based Test – 100 points. We do not accept individual section scores below 20.
IELTS – band score between 7 -7.5. We do not accept sub-scores below 6.0.

*Your research proposal can either be for a research subject suggested by a member of our faculty or your own area of interest. In either case, the proposal should contain a short summary of the current state of scientific knowledge, the research question and its relevance, a concrete description of the planned methodology, including data, materials used and statistical evaluation, a sketch of potential results and the anticipated limitations of the conclusions. This will typically take 5 to 10 pages.

Apply Now

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LECTURERS AND SUPERVISORS

Our faculty members are highly respected experts within their local and international professional associations. The international experiences and global networks of faculty advance the university’s research. The promotion of young academics is an essential component of Modul University Vienna's mission and academic outreach.

For this reason, we have a range of research topics from our faculty that PhD applicants can apply to work on. You will still need to provide a comprehensive summary of scientific knowledge and concrete description of your planned methodology, including data, materials used and statistical evaluation, a sketch of potential results and the anticipated limitations.

STUDENT HOUSING

Tuition Fees

Program	Semesters	Fees / Semester
PHD in Business and Socioeconomic Sciences	8	€8000