PhD in Comparative History

Credits

240 ECTS

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

• Vienna, Austria

Disciplines

• History
• Ancient History
• Modern History

Overview

This PhD in Comparative History program at Central European University (CEU) embraces a complex approach to advanced historical studies. At CEU, you will acknowledge the geocultural aspects of local and global historical experience and embark on a deep exploration of distinct regions, in the context of symbolic, physical and human geographies as much as social, economic and intellectual history.

You will examine the place of these representations in regional, international, and global histories, critically analyzing historical evidence from a variety of perspectives. Source criticism and archival work are a special strength of the Department and the PhD program.

Careers

As a graduate of the doctoral program in Comparative History, you will be well prepared to compete for positions on the academic job market and in other professional areas where communication and research skills are particularly important, such as public administration, data analysis, publishing, journalism and media.

Programme Structure

Curriculum:

• Regimes of Culture and Historical Preservation
• Qualitative Methods in Social Science Research: Oral History
• Historiography and Approaches to the Past
• Grand Debates in Global History
• Approaches to Late Antique and Medieval Studies

Admission requirements

Academic requirements

• GRE®: Required
• GMAT: Required

English requirements

• Duolingo English Test: 130
• TOEFL® iBT: 100 (or 5 on the new TOEFL iBT 1-6 score, CEFR-aligned; equivalent to the 0-120 score)
• PTE Academic: 76
• IELTS: 7

Other requirements

General requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in historical studies or a related discipline
• Two letters of recommendation from professors who are familiar with your work
• Research proposal (1,000-1,500 words excluding the bibliography) that addresses the main research questions, sources, methodology, your demonstrated proficiency in source and research languages relevant to the proposed project, and places the topic in the context of previous research in the field.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

• International (Non-residents): 24,135 AUD / year ≈ 15,000 EUR / year
• EU/EEA (EU/EEA Nationals): 24,135 AUD / year ≈ 15,000 EUR / year

Additional Details

Doctoral programs (year 1): 15,000 EUR. Doctoral programs after comprehensive examination (years 2, 3, and 4): 5,000 EUR.

Living costs

Vienna, Austria

1,385-2,142 AUD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Comparative History.

Available Scholarships

• Academic Achievement Award for First-Year Doctoral Students — Grant 500 EUR, Deadline 15 Jan 2027, Merit-based (Central European University (CEU), Vienna, Austria)
• Award for Advanced Doctoral Students — Grant 800 EUR, Deadline 15 Jan 2027, Merit-based (Central European University (CEU), Vienna, Austria)
• Winter School Grant — Grant 1500 EUR, Deadline 07 Nov 2026 (Central European University (CEU), Vienna, Austria)
• Fulbright U.S. Student Program — Grant Various benefits, Deadline 07 Oct 2026 (U.S. government)
• Summer courses of Lectures for Institutes of Languages from the University — Grant Various benefits, Deadline Anytime, Merit-based (OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation)
• ACES Scholarships — Grant 3500 USD, Deadline 15 Nov 2026 (ACES Education Fund)
• ServiceScape Scholarship — Grant 1000 USD, Deadline 30 Nov 2026 (ServiceScape)
• Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility — Grant Various benefits, Deadline Not specified, Merit-based (OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation)
• ELES-Scholarship (Ernst-Ludwig-Ehrlich-Studienwerk) — Grant 1550 EUR, Deadline 31 Oct 2026 (Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation)
• Ernst Mach Grant for studying at an Austrian University of Applied Sciences — Grant 1300 EUR, Deadline 01 Feb 2027 (OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation)
• Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility in Austria — Grant Various benefits, Deadline Not specified (OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation)
• $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship — Grant 1000 USD, Deadline 31 Oct 2026, Merit-based (IvyPanda)
• Voice Talent Online Scholarship — Grant 1000 USD, Deadline 01 Mar 2027 (Voice Talent Online)
• Dream Chaser Scholarship — Grant 1000 USD, Deadline 13 Jan 2027, Merit-based (Salvado Law)
• Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET — Grant 1300 EUR, Deadline 01 Mar 2027, Merit-based (OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation)
• Scholarship for students with disabilities — Grant 3000 USD, Deadline 31 Dec 2026, Need-based (Anonymous Hope Fund)
• Ernst Mach Grant - Worldwide — Grant 1300 EUR, Deadline 01 Feb 2027 (OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation)
• Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria — Grant Various benefits, Deadline 31 Dec 2026, Need-based (Leopold Figl Foundation)
• Semester grant and grant for short-term stays of the "Aktion" Austria-Czech Republic — Grant 1300 EUR, Deadline 15 Oct 2026 (Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research of the Republic of Austria)
• Ernst Mach Follow-Up Grant — Grant 715 EUR, Deadline 31 Mar 2027 (OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation)
• The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship — Grant 1500 USD, Deadline Not specified (IELTS from 6 to 9)
• Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme — Grant 12000 USD, Deadline 11 Jan 2027 (The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme)