AUB’s German-language interdisciplinary Ph.D. programme (8 semesters) offers a graduate course in four subjects under the guiding perspective, “The Future of Central Europe in the European Union”:

• History
• Political science
• Jurisprudence
• Economics

The students should be further qualified by the highest international standards. The Ph.D.s will be enabled to conduct their own independent and innovative research work at a methodically and theoretically demanding level, tied in with international research networks and prepared for the practical demands of a global career – whether in the sciences, politics, media, economics or in an international organisation.

Duration and Structure of Study

The course comprises 240 ECTS and two parts. In the first half of the programme (semesters 1-4) are the actual training in the form of courses. They take place in the form of block seminars (two days), so that the course can be done at the same time as employment. In parallel, the students begin with the independent research. At the end of the fourth semester, the multi-disciplinary exam must be taken. After successfully passing the exam, the students dedicate themselves to the research for and writing of their dissertations. The submission of the dissertation must follow within three years after passing the exam.

Research Emphases

• European Integration Processes
• Transformation Processes: Qualities of Democracies and Economic Systems
• Identity Building: Nationalities, Cultures and Minorities

Bi-national Graduation

Through the cooperation agreement with the Philosophy Faculty of the University of Passau, graduates have the opportunity to complete their studies with the support of professors of both institutions, and earning a doctorate which is granted jointly by both of the universities upon graduation.

Further information is available only in German.