1.1 The TU Wien and the Faculty

In this section, you will find information about doctoral studies at the TU Wien and the doctoral courses offered by the faculty. must find their own supervisor and submit their research idea. Legal responsibility lies with the deans of the fields of architecture and planning.

Doctoral studies at the TU Wien

A doctorate can be completed as a course of study only, or as part of a position as an employee of the TU Wien. Vacant positions at the Faculty, such as university assistant (Univ.Ass Pre-Doc) and (Proj.Ass.), are advertised here.

The standard duration of doctoral studies at the TU Wien is 6 semesters, comprising a total of 180 ECTS credits.The doctoral thesis accounts for 162 ECTS credits, while an additional 18 ECTS credits must be earned through academic achievements and coursework.

The core of the programme consists of independent scientific research at a high academic achievement level culminating in the doctoral thesis. The doctoral thesis summarizes the research requirements, state of the art, knowledge requirements, methodological research framework, and research findings. It has to represent a significant contribution to the advancement of science. The doctoral thesis can be written either as a monograph or a cumulative doctoral thesis.

All doctoral studies conclude with a doctoral thesis, which is evaluated by external reviewers and has to be defended by the doctoral student in a public, comprehensive oral examination by a Board of Examiners (Doctoral defence / Rigorosum).

Doctoral supervisor

To pursue a doctoral program at TU Wien, a qualified academic from TU Wien must be willing to supervise your doctoral thesis. This could be a so-called ‘appointed professor’; a professor who has completed a postdoctoral thesis (‘Habilitation’); an assistant professor; or a Privatdozent who has completed a postdoctoral thesis. This person will supervise the independent research you will carry out for your doctoral thesis.

The responsibility for finding a potential supervisor lies with the doctoral candidate. Obtaining a supervisors’ approval is separate from the general admission to doctoral studies at TU Wien. Admission to the TU Wien can be applied for at any time and doctoral studies can commence at any time.

Faculty Doctoral Programme

Four doctoral degrees are offered by the Faculty. No PhD degrees are available.

  • Doctoral degree in Engineering Sciences for Architecture (code: 786 600) Dr.techn.
  • Doctoral degree in Social and Economic Sciences for Architecture (code: 784 600) Dr.rer.soc.oec.
  • Doctoral degree in Engineering Sciences for Spatial Planning (code: 786 630) Dr.techn.
  • Doctoral degrees in Social and Economic Sciences for Spatial Planning (code: 784 630) Dr.rer.soc.oec.

All doctoral studies are governed by the regulations of the curriculum for doctoral studies at TU Wien. The Handbook for doctoral studies in Architecture and Planning outlines formats and processes, procedures, quality assurance, and student support.

Responsibilities at faculty level

The responsibility for doctoral studies at the Faculty lies with the deans. For formal and legal matters concerning doctoral degrees in architecture, dean, Sen.Sci. DI Dr.techn. Norbert Trolf, is in charge. Dean, Assoc. DI Dr.techn. Thomas Dillinger, is in charge of formal and legal matters concerning doctoral degrees in spatial planning. As an assistant to the Dean’s Office, Daniela Zeinzinger also holds responsibilities.

TU Wien Doctoral School

There are also Doktoratskollegs and special doctoral programmes at the TU Wien. These are structured doctoral degrees with a research framework in the interdisciplinary context of top international research. The TU Wien Doctoral School is in charge of this. Most recently, spatial planning researchers have taken part in the URBEM Urban Energy and Mobility System doctoral college. Job postings for pre-docs in Doktoratskollegs and doctoral programmes can be found on the job portal of the TU Wien.

Relevant documents

You will find the following documents and forms in the general download area: 

•    Curriculum for Doctoral Degrees at the TU Wien 2022
•    Handbook for Doctoral Degrees in Architecture and Planning2020